Summary This position is in the ATO, Safety and Technical Training Service Unit, Policy and Performance Directorate, Safety Performance Group, AJI-3400. This group uses scientific knowledge and data analysis methods to understand and mitigate risk and improve human performance safety and efficiency across the operational system. Responsibilities The Human Factors Scientist applies experience and advanced technical knowledge of scientific principals related to human factors, industrial/organizational psychology, safety and training to assists more experience scientist in the development of plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under limited direction of the manager, to assist senior scientists in the integration of human factors into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by updating and prioritizing risk mitigation strategies. This work is a critical area of human performance and directly affects the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). As a contributing specialist, the Scientist applies technical knowledge of human performance related factors such as safety data analysis, organizational change, communication, human computer interaction and workplace design to identify problems and to recommend solutions to real world performance issues. Leads small work activities involving researching and analyzing behavioral and associated risks to improve and adapt technology, equipment and work environments to complement human behavior and capabilities. Contributes to the preparation of reports and recommends changes to improve human performance issues in the NAS. Collects and analyzes human factors and civil aviation performance data to identify problems/issues, risks, and recommend solutions involving human factors and human performance in civil aviation operations. Examines the human performance impact of new systems and procedural and training changes on the physical, behavioral, cognitive, and social characteristics of air traffic controllers and technicians. Prepares results for inclusions into reports. Contacts are internal and external. The Scientist may act as a key technical point of contact for human factors and performance activities. Contributes to the preparation of management and/or technical reports and may communicate the overall results of the assignment to management or external parties. Assists in the coordination of workshops and focus groups, and contributes to safety culture workshops and programs. Communicates the results of safety data and human performance investigation of air traffic incidents to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Assists in supporting the development of Human Performance Standards of Excellence for the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. Although established policies/procedures provides guidance for most assignment, the Scientist is allowed considerable discretion to select the most appropriate approach or to recommend new approaches. Assignments typically require solutions that are to be derived by interpreting and extrapolating from situations that were faced in the past. Provides recommendations to improve work processes. Provides guidance to lower-level technical staff on how to solve difficult technical issues and resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations. The Team Manager typically reviews work periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. The work activities typically support and may be vital to the success of projects or activities of one or more organizational units, subdivisions, and LOB's/SO's. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H, FG/GS-12 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS: Experience collecting and analyzing human factors and civil aviation performance data to identify problems. You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. *Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.* Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or Selective Placement Factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; priority grouping; or (3) alphabetical, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. **All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.** Education This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. Degree: Behavioral or Social Science (or related disciplines appropriate to the position); or a combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field; or four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. *Applicants who are not currently in the 101 occupational series in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive consideration for this vacancy. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it. 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 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. 1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, 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 KSA section, 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. 2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm 3) Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed. 4) This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. 5) The selectee will be assigned to the Human Performance Team, AJI-3420. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA