Summary
**Selectee will conduct the work from their current approved official duty station** These positions are located in the Railroad Investigations Division, Office of Railroad Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Investigations (RPH). The Railroad Investigations Division investigates accidents & incidents involving passenger & freight railroads, commuter rail transit systems, & other fixed guideway systems. The incumbent will serve as a Branch Chief supervising a team of Railroad Accident Investigators.Major Duties
As a Supervisory Railroad Accident Investigator, GS-2121-15, you will perform the following major duties: Assist with the oversight of investigative projects including but not limited to reviewing reports and other work products of the staff; responsible for overall timeliness and quality of products, including technical accuracy and adequacy, investigative approach, issue identification based upon facts, thoroughness of analysis, and general presentation of such products. Manage personnel, providing authoritative advice and guidance; assigns tasks to investigative staff; identifies and assesses the significant aspects of each investigation; participates in the identification and selection of safety issues; and plans, develops and initiates the investigative procedures, and the evidence to be preserved and its public dissemination. Assign work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Evaluates work performance of subordinates and appraises staff performance. Assure that major emphasis of railroad investigations are of timeliness and quality, and that the investigation results achieve tangible safety improvements. Participate in all planning meetings related to the investigation and the final report product and reviews drafts of the final report for technical accuracy, ensuring necessary changes are made and that all applicable safety issues are identified and addressed. Initiate, maintain, and exchange information with other federal agencies and international organizations, industry, labor, trade, and other interested officials through meetings, conferences, seminars, letters, reports, studies, briefings, and other similar methods.Education
There is no education substitution at this grade level.Evaluations
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your qualifications. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume. Applicants must first meet any mandatory education and/or licensure requirements before experience is evaluated. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement as outlined in the qualifications section will disqualify you from further consideration. If education and/or licensure requirements are met, your application will be further evaluated based on training, experience and other factors critical to successful job performance such as: If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.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 08/31/2026. To begin the process, click the Apply Online 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/13022704. 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 are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Applications: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information at least 1 business day before the closing date.What to Expect Next
Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.Required Documents
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. 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. The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE: A Complete 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 should 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=8YX7o1PBoF Responses to the questionnaire. ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status, listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure (Block 24 -1 or 2) and Position Occupied (Block 34 -1). Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. (Do not submit your Award SF-50). A copy of your most recent performance appraisal, or a statement as to why you do not have this document. Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.aspOther 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. NTSB may authorize Recruitment Incentives currently offered by the Federal Government for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and abilities. 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 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 eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp 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. It is available for your review on OPM's web site at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ 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. Selectee will conduct the work from their current approved duty station.
