Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Division, Office of Railroad, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Investigations(RPH), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incumbent serves as an Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) with recognized expertise in pipeline operations, pipeline accident investigations, and pipeline safety.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Skill and ability to write and prepare reports of accident investigations, safety studies, responses to Notices of Proposed Rulemakings, and inquiries from Congress, industry and the public.
• Ability to provide leadership and expertise in managing and coordinating investigative teams.
• Mastery of the advanced principles, concepts, theories and practices of pipeline accident investigation in order to provide recognized expertise in the conduct and management of investigations of major accidents involving pipeline transportation.
• Conducts extensive research and analysis of applicable regulations, technical manuals and records, inspection reports, and similar sources and means. Determines and recommends special investigative procedures and study needs that might be necessary.
• Expert knowledge in pipeline disciplines, such as gas distribution, gas transmission, hazardous liquid pipeline systems/facilities, operations, maintenance, materials, integrity assessment, SCADA systems, offshore pipeline facilities, etc.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

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.
• Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level) by the closing date of this announcement. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• This position is also being announced through Public (U.S. Citizens) procedures under Announcement RPH-11004388-21-VB. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures you must apply to both announcements.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience-GS-14: Applicant must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level directly related to this position. Investigating high profile pipeline accidents involving complex failure modes such as metallurgical, operational or organizational with either a state or Federal agency or as an employee or contractor for a pipeline operator, while presenting the facts from the investigation in writing in an organized unbiased manner, as well as experience conducting studies on pipeline safety, presenting on reports of pipeline accident issues; expertise or experience working with hazardous liquids and gas transmission or distribution systems and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) centers; experience organizing a major project, such as a hearing, symposium, research experiment; and must have applied that knowledge in a written report.

Education

There is no educational requirement for this position.

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.
• NTSB may authorize Recruitment Incentives currently offered by the Federal Government for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and abilities.
• 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. It is available for your review on 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.
• THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK.
• 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 .

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 licensure requirements before experience is evaluated. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement as outlined in the qualifications section will disqualify you from further consideration. If education and/or licensure requirements are met, your application will be further evaluated based on training, experience and other factors critical to successful job performance such as:

• Accident Investigation
• Project Management
• Reasoning
• Technical Competence - Pipeline
• Writing

If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:

To fully determine eligibility, all applicable documents listed below must be submitted. Failure to submit any of the below documentation may result in your disqualification from further consideration.

• Resume: Your resume should include relevant experience and dates (month/day/year) of employment and work schedule for each (e.g., part-time XX hours per week or full-time) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
• Responses to the questionnaire
• A copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure and Position Occupied to verify eligibility.
• A copy of your most recent performance appraisal, or a statement as to why you do not have this document.
• DD-214 (member 4 copy), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
• Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

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.