Senior Marine Accident Investigator (Nautical) - Direct Hire

Summary

This position is a Senior Marine Accident Investigator (Nautical) located in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of Marine Safety (OMS). OMS investigates major marine casualties to determine the probable cause and identify safety recommendations that will prevent similar events in the future.

Duties

As a Senior Marine Accident Investigator (Nautical), GS-1801-14, you will perform the following major duties: As investigator in charger (IIC) on NTSB led accident investigations, leads all aspects of the investigation including close cooperation with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) investigating officer, management of the NTSB investigative team and parties to the investigation, setting and maintaining the schedule and budget including on scene work, follow-up visits and team overtime. Keeps management informed of progress and developments in the investigation. Responsible for the investigation of factors affecting vessel operators and persons involved in the operation and management of marine transportation systems. Organize, manage, and coordinate the nautical/operational aspects of investigations for major marine casualties and developing and presenting factual and analytical reports with safety recommendations for adoption by the Board. Analyze evidence gathered to reconstruct the events before, during, and after the accident by applying the principles of scientific methodology, logic, statistics, and other fields related to the operations of vessels. Write and complete factual reports, exhibits, outlines, and analytical reports. Present as IIC or Group Chairperson the technical views/facts before the full Board for acceptance, rejection, modification, or further study. Work Environment: The general work environment is potentially stressful as it includes being subject to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and being prepared to travel often with short notice and at unusual times. On-site investigation and fact-finding work take place in areas such as maritime docks and vessel engine rooms, where the investigator may be exposed to a variety of sea, weather and temperature conditions and other environmental discomforts, unforgiving topography, and debris hazards. Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: serving as a chief mate or master operating/navigating on a commercial vessel over 1600 gross tons; AND overseeing shipboard emergency drills and/or actual emergency situations at sea in a leadership role; AND operating under and determining compliance with maritime laws, regulations, and applicable standards; AND ensuring proper vessel documentation and the certification and safe and proper operating condition of systems (navigation, stability, communication, lifesaving, firefighting, and pollution prevention) and machinery, and the soundness and acceptable parameters of vessel structures and hulls including maintaining vessel stability; AND providing technical expertise and training to junior marine officers and crew; AND leading operational activities aboard commercial seagoing vessels related to vessel and crew member safety; AND operational experience working within and/or directly auditing a commercial safety management system in accordance with International Safety Management (ISM) Code. For more information see link: 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.

Education

There is no education requirement for this series or education substitution at this grade level. How You Will Be Evaluated

This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. Your application will be considered based on education, training, and quality of your experience. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/ Your application must include your resume and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination. Referral: Applicants who meet the qualification requirements may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person) at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices. Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application. If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration. Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13111306. Other 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. 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. 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 80 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. OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/45063284835091-Requesting-an-accommodation