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

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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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be register or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)
• Suitability for Federal employment
• Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• Bargaining Unit Position: YES - Bargaining unit represented by NTSB-AFGE Local 2211.
• Direct Deposit is required.
• This position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
• THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBILE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
• Two-Page Resume Limit: Resumes must not be more than two standard single-sided pages (or one page if submitting a front and back, hard-copy).
• Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
• Moving expenses associated with permanent change of station (PCS) ARE NOT authorized for this position. A Relocation or Recruitment Incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidates.
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.

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.

Additional 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.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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