Duties

As a Human Performance Investigator, GS-1801-14, you will perform the following major duties:

Serves as technical expert and advisor to NTSB Management and the aviation industry with a special emphasis on issues pertaining to human performance factors.

Provides mentoring, guidance, and direction to investigators and advises division chief on approaches to enhance quality and technical adequacy, of division/office products and researches and develops new tools, and techniques useful to the office in the conduct of investigations.

Investigates aviation accidents/incidents, prepares related factual and analytical reports, determines the probable cause, and develops safety improvements, conducts special investigations and studies, and researches, develops and completes safety recommendations, corrective actions, and other necessary changes to improve human performance.

Provides technical briefings to NTSB Board Members, senior NTSB management, Members of Congress, governmental agencies, and other interested groups.

Prepares proposed Board positions on national and international regulations involving human performance and safety, training and procedures related to human performance factors, and responds to inquiries from Congress, the aviation community, and the general public regarding aviation human performance factors and aviation safety.

Maintains currency in human performance factors affecting aviation safety including emergent research and operational practices, accident investigation methodology.

Physical Demands: The work includes a mixture of sedentary and physically demanding tasks. The incumbent must be available on an on-call basis to respond to the scene of aircraft accidents, which they may be exposed to rigorous exercise and long hours while on-scene at an accident. Accidents may be located in austere environments, anywhere across the United States or overseas.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting as well as on-scene during accident investigations and where fact-finding work takes place. The incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts, unforgiving topography, and debris hazards. Also, while risk assessments are made, appropriate mitigation measures taken, and personal protective equipment used, there remains the possibility of exposure to poisonous, explosive, or other hazardous materials associated with the accident sites to which the agency deploys.

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.
• 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 being announced concurrently under Public (U.S Citizens) procedures under Vacancy Number AS-11284612-22-AE. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.
• You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
• THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

For GS-14:

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-13 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 demonstrating knowledge of standard operating procedures used within the National Airspace System sufficient to identify anomalies in procedures or processes resulting from human error; experience demonstrating the ability to conduct complex research and analyses to identify the causal factors involved in aviation accidents and incidents resulting from human error; experience demonstrating the ability to construct comparative analyses to determine or refute plausible causes of aviation accidents or incidents where human error has been identified as a primary contributing factor; and experience which demonstrates the ability to support the development of policy, procedures, or guidance in applied aviation human factors topics.

For more information see link: http://General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series 1801 (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

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-14 grade level.

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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
• 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 .