Senior Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Oper & Crashworthiness)

Senior Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Oper & Crashworthiness)

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $143913 - $187093 Per Year

Job Summary: The incumbent will serve as a Senior Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Operations and Crashworthiness),located in the Office of Aviation Safety (OAS), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and serve as an expert Survival Factors Investigator in aircraft accident investigations and is responsible for the investigation of the survival factors aspects of aircraft accidents, planning and conducting survival factors examinations, studies, factual and analytical reports.

Major Duties:

• As a Senior Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Oper & Crashworthiness),GS-1801-14, you will perform the following major duties: Serves as Group Chair responsible for documenting, analyzing, and evaluating survival factors issues described in the position summary above. These include but are not limited to cabin safety and flight attendant training, occupant protection, airport operations, and airport and community emergency management factors that may arise during major aviation accident/incident investigations. Organizes, supervises, and coordinates the activities of the representatives from the operators, manufacturers, professional organizations, FAA, and other participating agencies, including experts in other fields in the course of a survival factors investigation. Independently identifies and assesses the significance of survival factors found during on-scene accident investigations. Analyzes and interprets the data uncovered. The purpose of such analysis is to advance the knowledge of survival factors in the operation of aviation systems; provide practical applications of theory in the survival factors for the purpose of publication and general education; and form a basis for the application of practical solutions to the prevention of future accidents of similar nature. Determines requirements for special tests, studies, and/or assistance that may be necessary in one or more aspects of a given investigation. Monitors these activities and evaluates findings in terms of relevancy to the probable cause and/or safety recommendations. Studies usually involve the novel and/or innovative application of research results in analyzing survival factors. Develops and prepares documentation in the form of reports, photographs, pertinent records, and other appropriate material. Prepares timely and technically correct factual and analytical reports that accurately reflect the pertinent findings in the survival factors areas to be used in the subsequent analysis and probable cause determinations. Maintains currency in survival factors affecting aviation safety including emergent research and operational practices, accident investigation methodology.

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: Experience leading a team investigating civil aviation accident survival factors from initial investigative activities to the identification of cause and preventative safety actions; leading the development and implementation of a plan for conducting a component examination or follow-up investigation; using data to support decision making in determining investigation scope and the development of findings in the areas of survival factors; carrying out investigative research needed to further the study of crashworthiness and survival factors issues in the aviation industry; applying knowledge of civil aviation survival factors safety issues and investigation evidence in the development of recommendations to improve occupant protection and survivability. 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.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. NOTE: If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns prior to the closing date please send those emails to include the vacancy announcement number, position title and your reason for contacting us to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-13