Summary The Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention is the principal organization within the FAA with respect to aircraft accident investigation and all activities related to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Our mission is to make air travel safer through investigation, data collection, risk analysis, and information sharing. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as an Aviation Accident Investigator in the Accident Investigation & Recommendations Division, Accident Investigation Branch, and as such, performs around-the-clock operations of time critical accident and incident investigations. The incumbent uses the knowledge and experience gained as a Commercial Pilot with Instrument Ratings, Airline Transport Pilot, Aerospace Engineer, Air Traffic Controller, Aviation Safety Inspector, Airframe and Power-plant mechanic, and/or Aviation Accident Investigator in order to scrutinize flight operations, avionics, and/or mechanical systems. Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, team leader or more experienced technical specialists. Acts as principal technical specialist for large work activities. The incumbent also identifies aviation safety issues, conducts safety oversight of transportation practices, improves accident investigation procedures, and works closely with industry and other government agencies to promote aviation safety. Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as a senior technical point of contact on projects, programs and other work activities. The incumbent synthesizes technical information into position papers and other written products that are used to influence safety policy or change. This includes briefing technical staff and executives on highly technical issues and the resulting or recommended effects on safety policy or change. The incumbent develops and recommend policies and procedures governing aircraft accident and incident investigations. The incumbent reviews and comments on draft accident reports developed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concerning specific investigations. The incumbent reviews flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder transcripts released by NTSB. The incumbent attends NTSB pre-hearing conferences and depositions concerning the assigned accident/incident investigation. The incumbent also responds to requests for information from within the FAA; letters, memos, Congressional requests, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) inquiries, and senior staff. As an Aviation Accident Investigator, the incumbent drafts and submits FAA safety recommendations to prevent future accidents and to promote aviation safety. The incumbent performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To view the complete OPM qualification standard for the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Series, 1801, please refer to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/general-inspection-investigation-enforcement-and-compliance-series-1801/ To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience gained while performing duties and responsibilities associated with any of the following; Airline Transport Pilot, Aerospace Engineer, Air Traffic Controller, Aviation Safety Inspector, and/or Airframe and Power-plant Mechanic or equivalent experience and the application of this experience investigating aviation accidents, incidents, malfunctions or failures with an emphasis on identifying risks and hazards. Experience influencing stakeholders by communicating clear and concise technical and controversial topics to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences, to include senior leaders, in multiple formats to include verbal and non-verbal modes. Experience influencing changes to policy, guidance, practices, and/or legislation. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Some, all or none of the applicants may be interviewed. Education Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee. This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA), in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by AFSCME Local 1653. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA