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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

Air Safety Investigator (Air Carrier Flight Operations), GS-1815-11/12/13/14

Office of Aviation Safety,

Operational Factors Division,

Washington, D.C.

MAJOR DUTIES: Investigates major air carrier accidents and selected incidents especially those involving new or large turbojet airplanes. May be assigned to investigate or participate in accident investigations in foreign countries. Also, may be assigned to special investigations involving significant safety issues. Investigative work involves on-scene organization and supervision of group members representing various organizations to objectively document operational factors including flight crew qualifications, training, experience, and performance; aircraft performance; air carrier operations; airport operations; airborne and ground navigation systems; operational procedures and air traffic control. Additional areas of investigation may include witness, pilot, and flight crew statements and meteorological or environmental conditions that may have contributed to the accident or incident. Participates in formal public hearings or deposition proceedings on particular accidents. Writes factual and analytical reports that document investigative findings and conclusions. Develops safety recommendations to prevent accidents and promote safety. A major portion of the work requires the incumbent to possess technical writing skill in assembling and organizing factual data, preparing comprehensive and logical factual and analytical reports, preparing specialized analyses, and developing conclusions based on such data. In meetings and conferences with other civil and government agencies, the incumbent may be called upon to orally present, interpret, and maintain the position and views of the Safety Board. The incumbent may be required to exchange information and views, and interpret Safety Board practices, procedures, and regulations. Hence, the ability to speak in public and to write effectively is essential.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (4):

1. SPECIALIZED WORK EXPERIENCE:

GS-11: One year of specialized experience is required equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service in commercial airline flight crew training or the safety aspects of commercial airline flight operations.

GS-12: One year of specialized experience is required equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service in commercial airline flight crew training or the safety aspects of commercial airline flight operations.

GS-13: One year of specialized experience is required equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service in commercial airline flight crew training or the safety aspects of commercial airline flight operations.

GS-14: One year of specialized experience is required equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service in commercial airline flight crew training or the safety aspects of commercial airline flight operations.

2. PILOT-IN-COMMAND FLIGHT HOURS:

Each two hours as a copilot or FAA-certified engineer on a civil air carrier counts as one hour of pilot-in-command time on multiengine aircraft.

One full year of experience acquired within the past six years as an aircraft accident investigator, instructor in aircraft accident investigation, full-time operator or manager of a civil airport, flight safety officer, safety engineer, or accident prevention specialist counts as 100 hours of total number of pilot-in-command flight hours required during the last six years.

3. REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND RATINGS: 1)Possession of a valid commercial pilot certificate with an instrument airplane rating or airline transport pilot certificate. 2)Possession of an Airplane Multiengine Rating. 3)Possession of a valid first- or second-class Airman's Medical Certificate, which must be current at the time the application is submitted.

SPECIAL NOTE: YOUR APPLICATION CANNOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION UNLESS YOU PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR FLIGHT TIME, CERTIFICATES AND RATINGS. The Safety Board does not impose flying time proficiency requirements after an employee enters on duty. Therefore, the employee's record need only show that appropriate flying time requirements are met at the time of appointment. Applicants cannot be considered unless records of the applicant's flight time, certificates and ratings are forwarded with the application. Applicants may use OPM Form 1170, Record of Aeronautical Experience, to provide this information. A copy of OPM Form 1170 is attached to this vacancy announcement or it may be obtained from the NTSB home page on the World Wide Web.

4. DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Applicants who meet the specialized experience, pilot-in-command flight hours, and certification requirements described above will be further evaluated to determine the extent to which their education, related work experience, training, awards, and supervisory appraisals indicate they possess or have the potential to acquire knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics (KSAs) required to perform the duties and responsibilities described above. Please describe briefly your experience/training, etc. relevant to each of the following KSAs. Be sure to include any appropriate awards received. At the end of your description, please indicate where you gained this experience.

Candidates should submit a SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT to their application that describes their experience and training in terms of the KSAs below:

1. Knowledge of international domestic, scheduled, and supplemental commercial air carrier flight operations.

2. Knowledge of approved commercial piloting techniques and commercial pilot training and check programs.

3. Knowledge of aircraft dispatching, airport requirements, and commercial aircraft maintenance practices and procedures.

4. Knowledge of aviation accident investigation practices, techniques, and procedures.

5. Ability to write detailed and comprehensive technical reports.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS REGARDING JOB REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: You must be able to effectively speak and write English. You must have a valid State driver's license and qualify for a U. S. Government-issued travel charge card. You will be required to remain "On call" for travel to investigative assignments outside normal work hours. You will frequently be given investigative assignments on short notice. These assignments may involve work at unusual hours for long periods of time at accident sites in sometimes remote, rugged, and hostile settings. You must be ready, willing, and able to work in physically demanding, adverse conditions such as swamps, deserts, ships at sea, and uneven and mountainous terrain. You will be required to wear and operate appropriate personal protective equipment to deal with these adverse environmental and potentially hazardous conditions, which may also involve biohazards. Your travel to the accident site may require extensive travel in aircraft and driving, as well as strenuous walking, hiking, and climbing in areas with treacherous footing. You may also be exposed to adverse topographic, weather, and atmospheric conditions where temperatures may be at extremes. You will need to carry all the necessary personal protective equipment, tools, and instruments to video tape and photograph pertinent factual information, take notes, make measurements, and otherwise document the wreckage and accident site. You must be able to physically maneuver around the accident site, which includes frequently climbing in, out, and on various parts of the wreckage for the purpose of documenting and gathering evidence.

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