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Position Title
Senior Marine Accident Investigator (Human Performance)
Agency
National Transportation Safety Board
Announcement Number
MS-12741471-25-KAT Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 to Monday, June 9, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:
  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30%or more OR
  • retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicatingcharacter of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. Please also provide the disabilityletter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,Standard Form 15.

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
3. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm that you are indicated on the PCS orders; and you
  • have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders
  • are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location AND
  • have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.
-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy AND
your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
(limit characters)
5. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you
complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area
receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating AND
return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?
(limit characters)
6. Are you a current federal employee in the competitive service that holds a career or career-conditional position?

To verify eligibility, submit a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent and competitive status.
  • Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2, box 24) and,
  • Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1, box 34) and,
  • Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your position title, series, grade, step and salary.
(limit characters)
7. Have you completed three years of substantially continuous service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type Foreign Service appointment that meets a requirement for career tenure?

-OR-

Have you had service that began with a non-temporary Foreign Service appointment counting towards the 3-year service requirement for career tenure and have been separated within the past 30 days from the career-type appointment in the Foreign Service?
(limit characters)
8. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?

For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a Land Management Eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act? (limit characters)
11. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?

-OR-

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?

-OR-

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years? If yes, submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
12. Non-Competitive Current or Former Federal Employee:

Do you meet any of the following eligibilities?

I am currently at a higher grade level than the full performance level of the position being announced; or
I have competed for and am currently at the same grade level as the full performance level of the position being announced;or
I am currently serving in a position with full performance level equivalent to or higher than the full performance level of the position being announced;or
I am a former Federal civilian employee that served on a permanent competitive career appointment AND have held the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential; or
I have obtained career-conditional status (within 3 years of the date of separation or am a preference eligible) AND have held the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation as outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
13. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?

If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medicalprofessional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
14. Were you formerly employed as a federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment but are not currently a permanent competitive federal employee?

If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnelaction form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
  • Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) mustreflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
  • Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) mustreflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).
(limit characters)
15. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions and you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly beforecompleting a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility) OR
  • are entitled to veterans' preference
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicatingcharacter of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Senior Marine Accident Investigator (Human Performance) position with the National Transportation Safety Board. We will evaluate your resume and responses to this Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification and must be supported by your resume and supporting documents. (limit characters)
1. Select the one statement that best describes the specialized experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform as a Senior Marine Accident Investigator (Human Performance) at the GS-14 level or equivalent pay band in the federal service. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Knowledge of advanced principles and practices of marine accident investigation.
(limit characters)
3. Conducts commercial marine accident investigations to determine contributing and root causes of incidents and accidents.
(limit characters)
4. Drafts marine accident reports, analyzes complex issues, and prepares marine accident safety improvement recommendations.
(limit characters)
5. Experience in working with international shipping requirements for safety such as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Standards for Training, Certification and Watchstanding (STCW), ISM Code, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Code for Casualty Investigations.
(limit characters)
6. Knowledge of the psychological, physiological, and human engineering factors which may contribute to or cause maritime accidents. (limit characters)
7. Knowledge of the marine transportation system and its users, including regulations, guidance, and procedures affecting human performance in marine operations and maintenance. (limit characters)
8. Knowledge of accident investigation methodology and procedures to apply the scientific method to pertinent physical evidence and to assemble, organize, and interpret technical data relevant to human performance. (limit characters)
9. Demonstrates knowledge and experience in the human performance aspects of major commercial maritime accidents and incident investigations. (limit characters)
10. Understands human factors and human performance safety issues and appropriately applies this knowledge to prepare safety recommendations and/or proposals to and with industry to formulate strategies to resolve marine safety deficiencies. (limit characters)
11. Evaluates tasks associated with vessel operation to determine areas of human performance where errors may have occurred. (limit characters)
12. Works and interacts with others in formal teams or organized groups to accomplish tasks efficiently and effectively.
(limit characters)
13. Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity.
(limit characters)
14. Presents technical information, analysis, ideas and positions in a clear, succinct, accurate, convincing manner, as is appropriate with the audience.
(limit characters)
15. Identifies and uses effective communication channels and methods (e.g., presentations, electronic dissemination, social media, etc.).
(limit characters)
16. Presents investigation results and conclusions using various methods of communication such as lectures, written materials, and use of presentation software.
(limit characters)
17. Persuades persons or groups to accept an organization's recommendations or position where there is resistance to the recommendations (e.g. organizational conflict, competing objectives, or significant expenditures involved).
(limit characters)
18. Avoids confrontational approaches and keeps the communication positive.
(limit characters)
19. Provides effective, accurate feedback or respond to queries independently in a manner that demonstrates thorough knowledge and preparation.
(limit characters)
20. Analyzes, verifies, and documents investigative reporting requirements in writing.
(limit characters)
21. Writes technical reports, studies and analysis that are appropriate for the intended audience.
(limit characters)
22. Write summaries and prepares summary documentation related to marine safety.
(limit characters)
23. Identifies and assesses the significance of human factors found during on-scene marine accident investigations.
(limit characters)
24. Applies and leverages technical knowledge and skills to accomplish assigned projects effectively and efficiently.
(limit characters)
25. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates complex information of a technical nature.
(limit characters)
26. Uses analytical tools such as Events and Causal Factors, Root Cause Analysis, or Barrier Analysis to formulate facts and circumstances from evidence gathered during the course of a marine accident investigation in order to form conclusions.
(limit characters)
27. Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
(limit characters)
28. Uses sound judgement to generate and evaluate alternatives, conclusions, and recommendations.
(limit characters)
29. I certify that the entire document, including task statements, competencies, task/competency linkage and multiple choice rating schedule worksheet(s) are accurate and related to the position being filled.
(limit characters)