The incumbent will serve as a Senior Survival Factors Investigator located in the Office of Aviation Safety (OAS), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and serve as an expert Survival Factors Investigator in aircraft accident investigations and is responsible for the investigation of the survival factors aspects of aircraft accidents, planning and conducting survival factors examinations, studies, factual and analytical reports.
GS-14: You MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized experience is defined as: Experience in leading a team investigating civil aviation accident survival factors from initial investigative activities to the identification of cause and preventative safety actions; leading the development and implementation of a plan for conducting a component examination or follow-up investigation; using data to support decision making in determining investigation scope and the development of findings in the areas of survival factors; carrying out investigative research needed to further the study of crashworthiness and survival factors issues in the aviation industry; applying knowledge of civil aviation survival factors safety issues and investigation evidence in the development of recommendations to improve occupant protection and survivability. For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/general-inspection-investigation-enforcement-and-compliance-series-1801/ 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.
Ideal Candidate Statement: The incumbent will serve as an expert Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Operations and Crashworthiness) in aircraft incident and accident investigations with a special emphasis on airport operations and crashworthiness. The incumbent will be a primary resource for the NTSB on airport operations, crashworthiness, and occupant survival and will also be called upon to conduct investigations into other survival factors issues that may be outside the area of primary expertise (i.e. cabin safety, search and rescue, equipment design, emergency response). As a Senior Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Operations and Crashworthiness), GS-1801-14, you will perform the following major duties: Serves as Group Chair responsible for documenting, analyzing, and evaluating survival factors issues described in the position summary above. These include but are not limited to cabin safety and flight attendant training, occupant protection, airport operations, and airport and community emergency management factors that may arise during major aviation accident/incident investigations. Organizes, supervises, and coordinates the activities of the representatives from the operators, manufactures, professional organizations, FAA, and other participating agencies, including experts in other fields in the course of a survival factors investigation. Independently identifies and assesses the significance of survival factors found during on-scene accident investigations. Analyzes and interprets the data uncovered. The purpose of such analysis is to advance the knowledge of survival factors in the operation of aviation systems; provide practical applications of theory in the survival factors for the purpose of publication and general education; and form a basis for the application of practical solutions to the prevention of future accidents of similar nature. Determines requirements for special tests, studies, and/or assistance that may be necessary in one or more aspects of a given investigation. Monitors these activities and evaluates findings in terms of relevancy to the probable cause and/or safety recommendations. Studies usually involve the novel and/or innovative application of research results in analyzing survival factors. Develops and prepares documentation in the form of reports, photographs, pertinent records, and other appropriate material. Prepares timely and technically correct factual and analytical reports that accurately reflect the pertinent findings in the survival factors areas to be used in the subsequent analysis and probable cause determination. Maintains currency in survival factors affecting aviation safety including emergent research and operational practices, accident investigation methodology. Physical Demands: During site visits while on the scene of a major accident investigations scene (s), the incumbent will perform a mixture of sedentary and physical demanding tasks and may be exposed to rigorous exercise and long hours (i.e., walking, standing, stooping, bending, carrying, and similar movements). Work Environment: On-site investigation and fact findings during a major accident investigations scene (s) may take place in various environments, which may expose the incumbent to a variety of weather conditions and other hazardous environmental discomforts (i.e., unforgiving topography, debris hazards, exposure to poisonous, explosive, or hazardous materials).