Supervisory Tech Writer-Editor (Acting Chief), GS-1083-15 (Temporary Promotion or Detail Only) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. MS-12882702-26-TM Department National Transportation Safety Board
Salary $169,279.00 to $197,200.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/26/2026 Close Date 3/11/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is in the Office of Marine Safety (OMS), Product Development Division in Washington, DC. The incumbent will serve as the Acting Chief of the Product Development Division managing the report development process by supervising four technicalWriter/Editors, ensuring adequate analysis and factual material to support the recommendations and probable cause, guaranteeing products regularly meet agency standards and guidance, and drafts are responsive to the Director and Board's input.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current NTSB employees only at the GS-14 and GS-15 grade levels serving under Competitive or Excepted service appointments. (If you are currently a GS-14, you must have completed 52 weeks at this grade level to qualify for a Temporary Promotion). Temporary Promotion MAY be made permanent without further competition. Detail may NOT be made permanent.

Duties

As a Supervisory Technical Writer-Editor, GS-1083-15, you will:

  • Manage the office's product development.
  • Supervise and manage the work assignments of up to four technical writer-editors.
  • Coordinate with other managers during all phases of the investigation and report development process to ensure timely delivery of written products and consensus on the safety issues of the report.
  • Perform comprehensive reviews of each report draft to ensure that essential issues are identified and adequately addressed and that all findings and recommendations are supported by analysis.
  • Advise on the development of findings, recommendations, probable cause, and the supporting analysis.
  • Exercise quality control for written documents to ensure technical adequacy and adequacy of logic, organization, structure, coherence, support, and style.
  • Ensure that products are timely, and that staff are responsive to feedback from peers, OMS leadership, and other NTSB offices
  • Ensures graphics incorporated in documents are single-layer, high quality, have appropriate callouts, have figure captions and alt text, and are consistent with the Board's style.
  • Ensures all products meet OMS Product Development Division quality management system guidelines and style.
  • Verify and approve leave and overtime requests, timesheets, and travel authorizations.
Additional Duties include:
  • Represents OMS in agency working groups, projects, and committees as directed.
  • Coordinates with OMS management, OMS Investigation Division, and the Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications for posting reports.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)
  • Suitability for Federal employment
  • Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case-by-case-basis.
  • Bargaining Unit Position: NO
  • Direct Deposit is required.
  • THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements (time-in-grade requirements - 52 weeks at the next lower grade level for GS-14 applicants) by the closing date of the announcement.
  • This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
  • Two-Page Resume Limit: Resumes must not be more than two standard single-sided pages (or one page if submitting a front and back, hard-copy).
  • This Temporary Promotion/Detail is for a period of 120-days and may be extended up to one year. This Temporary Promotion MAY be made permanent without further competition. This Detail may NOT be made permanent.
  • The Temporary Promotion/Detail may be terminated at any time during this period. Upon conclusion of the Temporary Promotion/Detail, you will be returned to your former office and position/grade.
  • Participation in this opportunity is contingent upon the agreement of the employee’s current supervisor.
  • The employee’s current supervisor and the Office of Marine Safety will negotiate the start date and associated terms based on current and projected workload, office priorities, etc.
  • The detail supervisor may authorize telework and alternate work schedule for this position.
  • The work for this assignment must be accomplished in the headquarters office. TDY expenses are not authorized for this assignment.

Qualifications

The position of Supervisory Technical Writer-Editor falls under the 1083 occupational series, which has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR).

Basic Minimum Qualifications:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
Must have included a total of 15 semester hours in an appropriate scientific, technical, or social science field(s), and at least one course above the introductory level in the field(s) covered by the position. For technical manuals and specifications writers or editors, the equivalent of 15 semester hours may have been gained through vocational or educational training above the high school level at a public, private, or Armed Forces school.

-OR-

Experience that required substantial subject-matter or technical knowledge of the field. This experience must have demonstrated the ability to acquire and present technical information through independent reading, interviews with subject-matter specialists, observation of tests and experiments, interpretation of blueprints or diagrams, or other appropriate methods. Such experience may have been acquired as a writer or editor of technical reports, articles, manuals, or specifications.

AND

Minimum Qualification Requirement:GS-15:
Applicants MUST possess one year of specialized experience with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and are typically in or directly related to the position being filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to the GS-14 in the Federal service, or comparable pay band system. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. Specialized Experience is defined as: Experience in the development and execution of high-quality error free written reports and other products related to transportation safety and investigation reports that describe and analyze the facts and circumstances associated therein. Ensuring analysis methodologies in the report produce proven logic principles that fully support findings, conclusions, and recommendations Coordinating report reviews by multiple parties, including investigators, managers, and leadership. Managing resource requirements, developing schedules, and milestones, and providing program planning and documentation. Assigning and evaluating accomplishments of tasks and working effectively with staff who have a variety of backgrounds. Collaborating with the investigative teams for product development. Understanding technical or engineering systems as well as technical topics involving complex transportation and safety issues and skills in writing, reviewing, and improving products and reports produced by others.

For more information see link: OPM Qualification Standard for 1083 Series

NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education and/or experience will result in an "Ineligible" rating.

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Must have included a total of 15 semester hours in an appropriate scientific, technical, or social science field(s), and at least one course above the introductory level in the field(s) covered by the position. For technical manuals and specifications writers or editors, the equivalent of 15 semester hours may have been gained through vocational or educational training above the high school level at a public, private, or Armed Forces school. You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GENERAL EDUCATION: All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/accreditation?src=rn. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at: http://www.ed.gov

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and various benefits as well as work life amenities such as alternate work schedules, telework, flextime, fitness and transit benefits.
  • Supervisory Probationary Period: This is a supervisory position. Under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within one year of assignment to this position.
  • Moving expenses associated with permanent change of station (PCS) ARE NOT authorized for this position.
  • Ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the National Transportation Safety Board directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your qualifications. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume. Applicants must first meet any mandatory education and/or experience requirements and provide a Statement of Interest narrative. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement as outlined in the qualifications section will disqualify you from further consideration.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12882702.

Required Documents

Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and Statement of Interest. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional.

The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:

  • A Complete two-page Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoF
  • Responses to the questionnaire.
  • College transcripts (Unofficial or Official), if qualifying based on education or as a basic requirement.
  • ALL CURRENT NTSB EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status, listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure (Block 24 -1 or 2) and Position Occupied (Block 34 -1). Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. (Do not submit your Award SF-50).
  • A copy of your most recent performance appraisal, or a statement as to why you do not have this document.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  1. Click the Apply Online button.
  2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
  3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

NOTE: If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns prior to the closing date please send those emails to include the vacancy announcement number, position title and your reason for contacting us to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division
Email
recruitment@ntsb.gov
Address
Office of Marine Safety
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

Next steps

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.