Sr Aviation Accident Investigator (Air Carrier & Space) - DIRECT HIRE

Summary

This position is in the Air Carrier and Space Investigations Division. The Office investigates, or causes to be investigated, all civil and public aircraft aviation and space accidents and selected incidents; prepare detailed reports; develop proposed probable cause determinations; and formulate recommendations to minimize their recurrence for consideration and adoption by the Board and for use by other government agencies, the Congress, the transportation community, and the traveling public.

Duties

As a Sr Aviation Accident Investigator (Air Carrier & Space) - DIRECT HIRE,GS-1801-15, you will perform the following major duties: Serve as a Senior Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) for certain domestic accidents and incidents involving commercial air carrier operations and space and as the U.S. Accredited Representative for international air carrier accidents and incidents when the U.S. is the State of design/manufacture, State of operation, and/or the State of registry. Acts as the on-call Air Carrier and Space Investigations Duty Officer by taking notifications of accident or incidents and investigate relevant media reports as appropriate, to include answering phones, notifying Chief and Office of Aviation Safety Directors about events and launch to accident/incident sites. Evaluate evidence accumulated during accident and incident investigations and review the factual and analysis investigation reports to determine the adequacy of the facts necessary for establishing probable cause and remedial recommendations. In preparation of the Board's accident report, coordinate with Division Chief on steps involved in report's progress from the initial draft through release to the public. Manage U.S. participation in international aviation investigations by applying the standards and recommended practices (SARPs) of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and makes the IIC aware of the U.S. differences in this regard. Drafts, writes, or effects timely processing of safety recommendations and accident prevention efforts as relevant to U.S responsibilities in the accident based on evidence obtained during the investigation.

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

Education

EDUCATION Education is not applicable at the GS-15 level.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package (see the required documents section).The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/21/2026. To begin the process, click the 'Apply' button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process. To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13027613. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position. NOTE: If you cannot apply online, please send an e-mail which includes the vacancy announcement number, position title and the reason you are not able to apply on-line to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.

Required documents

The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE: A Complete Two-Page Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information MUST be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk Responses to the questionnaire. You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional. Failure to submit required documents will result in you being considered as "ineligible" for this position.

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. 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. 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. Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement. 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. The National Transportation Safety Board provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the National Transportation Safety Board directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.