Duties

As a Interdisciplinary Engineer/Computer Scientist (Recorder Specialist), GS-0801/0830/0854/0855/0861/1550-11/12/13, you will perform the following major duties:

• Provides engineering advice on vehicle recorders in one or more modes of transportation.
• Performs vehicle recorder investigations as a Group Chairperson in a technically competent and thorough manner with supervision and mentoring from more senior NTSB staff.
• Recovers data and prepares reports to achieve maximum use of information for accident prevention and to achieve Safety Board objectives.
• Assures technical quality and capability of the division's laboratories and related lab systems.
• Operates and assists with the division's laboratories and develops new methods and technologies.
• Applies knowledge to support and develop products essential to the proper functioning of the Division, such as Board Member Project requests, Notice of proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs), Congressional testimony, and investigative alerts/bulletins.
• Develops and maintains professional contact with peers across the technical community, for knowledge exchange, technical advocacy, and obtaining expert advice and opinion specifically tailored to agency's needs.
• Participates in technical meetings and conferences, through papers, speeches, and committee memberships.

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: YES
• Direct Deposit is required.
• A probationary period may be required.
• You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
• This position is also being announced through Government-Wide procedures under Announcement RE-11717088-23-RR. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.
• THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBILE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotions are not automatic or guaranteed and will depend on the performance and supervisor approval.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet both the Educational Requirements and the Specialized Experience as described below.

For the GS-11 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is applying industry-accepted principles, techniques and practices of engineering or computer science to conduct analyses of recorded data, audio, or video; and ability to extract recorded data, audio or video using standard methods; OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To be creditable, your education must be directly related to the position being filled.

For the GS-12 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is applying industry accepted principles, techniques and practices of engineering or computer science to conduct complex analyses of recorded data, audio, or video; and resolving technical challenges in extraction of recorded data, audio or video when standard methods are not successful.

For the GS-13 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is demonstrating mastery of engineering theories and methods sufficient to develop new procedures to address novel/complex investigation scenarios: ability to apply industry accepted principles, techniques and practices of engineering or computer science to conduct complex analyses of recorded data, audio, or video; and ability to resolve technical challenges in extraction of recorded data, audio or video when standard methods are not successful or available.

For more information see links: General Engineering Series 0801 (opm.gov) ; Mechanical Engineering Series 0830 (opm.gov) ; Computer Engineering Series 0854 (opm.gov) ; Electronics Engineering Series 0855 (opm.gov) ; Aerospace Engineering Series 0861 (opm.gov) ; Computer Science Series 1550 (opm.gov)

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 and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.

Education

EDUCATION:
A. 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength materials (stress-strain relationships);(c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science and physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience which includes successful completion of one of the following as defined by the Office of Personnel Management: Professional Registration, Written Test, Specified academic courses or Related curriculum.

OR

Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus.

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.
• Moving expenses associated with permanent change of station (PCS) ARE NOT authorized for this position.
• A RELOCATION or RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE MAY BE OFFERED TO HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.
• If you left Federal Employment and received a buy out and you are selected for this position, you may be required to repay the full amount of the payment.
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. For more information on VEOA please visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/#veoa
• Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements identified below please visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/
  • - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
  • - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
  • - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
  • - Other Special Appointment Authorities
• Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) meet the basic qualification standards (including minimum educational and experience requirements; (3) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 90 and above on the rating criteria for this position; and, (4) submit the appropriate documentation ( to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
• Note: ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
• Telework may be authorized on a case-by-case basis.
• Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
• NTSB uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify .