Aviation Accident Investigator

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Aviation Safety, Regional Offices. Regional offices are located in Anchorage, Alaska (ANC); Aurora, Colorado (CEN); and Federal Way, Washington (WPR). Aviation Accident Investigators conduct aviation accident/incident investigations, produce investigative reports documenting the investigations, and formulate recommendations to improve transportation safety.

Duties

The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of and experience in of civil general aviation flight operations, maintenance and inspection of general aviation aircraft, and a strong working knowledge of civil aircraft accident investigation and aviation safety; be available on an on-call basis to respond to the scene of aircraft accidents, which may be located in inhospitable environments, anywhere across the United States; possesses the ability to prioritize multiple high-priority tasks; and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

As an Aviation Accident Investigator - DIRECT - HIRE, GS , you will perform the following major duties:

• Conducting technically complex accident/incident investigations of civil aircraft operated under 14 CFR Part 91 or 14 CFR Part 135, primarily involving small general aviation aircraft;
• Collecting and documenting factual information, data, and evidence relevant to aircraft accident/incident investigations;
• Conducting investigative interviews;
• Conducting on-scene collection, verification, analysis, and evaluation of accident data anywhere within the United States and its territories;
• Preparing written reports of investigative activities in a timely manner and in accordance with agency policy and procedures;
• Researching and developing safety recommendations, corrective actions, and other necessary changes;
• Briefing industry stakeholders and the public of the facts and circumstances of an accident/incident and coordinating transportation disaster assistance with family members.
• May conduct special investigations or studies and presents the conclusions in a comprehensive written report.
• Assisting with the investigation of major aircraft accidents and acting as a group chair in support of such investigations. May also participate in Board meetings and other large/complex technical review meetings.
• May be assigned as the US Accredited Representative in support of aircraft accident investigations occurring overseas.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The work includes a mixture of sedentary and physically demanding tasks. The incumbent must be available on a periodic on-call basis to triage incoming accident/incident notifications and to respond to the scene of aircraft accidents/incident. These on-scene responses they may require vigorous physical exertion and long hours. Accident/incident scenes may be located in austere environments, anywhere across the United States or overseas. Additionally, the incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts, unforgiving topography, and debris hazards. Also, while risk assessments are made, appropriate mitigation measures taken, and personal protective equipment used, there remains the possibility of exposure to poisonous, explosive, or other hazardous materials associated with the accident sites to which the agency deploys.

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