Transportation Disaster Assistance Specialist (Coordinator, Transportation Disaster Operations)
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

Job Overview

Summary

NTSB: Independently Advancing Transportation Safety.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent U.S. Federal agency responsible for investigating significant accidents in the various modes of transportation--aviation, railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline. The NTSB determines the probable cause of each accident investigated and issues safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.  

Since our inception, we have investigated over 100,000 aviation accidents and surface transportation accidents and over 80% of our safety recommendations have been implemented. A career at NTSB offers the opportunity to contribute to advancing public transportation safety. Become a member of a unique and dynamic organization where you can make a difference in the transportation industry! 

This position is located in the Transportation Disaster Assistance Division (TDA), Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).  The Transportation Disaster Assistance Division helps disaster victims from all modes of transportation.  TDA coordinates the resources of the Federal Government, state and local government, volunteer organizations, and transportation organizations to meet the needs of transportation accident victims and their families.  TDA staff assists investigators in all modes with interactions of accident victims and family members. 

WHO MAY APPLY:  U.S. citizens, current and former Federal employees with competitive status, VEOA eligible, those eligible under special hiring authorities, and those employed by an agency with an active interchange agreement. Before applying, please read the entire announcement and follow all instructions in the How to Apply section.

Duties

Typical duties may include: 

• Assists with the development of NTSB policies, programs and procedures to support transportation accident survivors and families.
• Coordinates family assistance operations within the NTSB; evaluates the effectiveness of existing procedures, and proposes necessary changes to improve support activities.
• Communicates with family members of victims and accident survivors, both orally and in writing during the on-scene phase of the investigation and throughout the course of the investigation.
• Serves as a liaison with domestic and foreign air carriers responsible for developing plans to address the needs of the families of those involved in aviation accidents.
• Serves as a liaison with U.S. airports developing and implementing family assistance plans designed to meet the needs of survivors and family members in the immediate aftermath of an aviation accident. 
• Serves as a liaison with emergency management agencies, first response agencies, coroners and medical examiners, hospitals, and transportation organizations to assist with the victim accounting process by collecting and managing data regarding the location and status of accident victims.
• Develops and delivers presentations to transportation organizations, emergency management agencies, first response agencies, non-governmental organizations, and federal agencies on the role of the NTSB and the TDA Division.
• Assists agencies and organizations developing family assistance plans and standard operating procedures by providing guidance on federal family assistance legislation and approved NTSB policies and procedures.
• Develops articles for professional journals, press releases, fact sheets, official correspondence, reports, protocols, tabletop exercise scenarios for internal and external use, or other materials focused on victim series following transportation accidents.
• Identifies specific subject areas for development of NTSB Training Center courses. Interacts with Training Center personnel to ensure the accurate and effective development of course materials. Provides professional instruction in support of Training Center courses. Reviews course evaluations and revises materials and/or delivery as appropriate.

NOTE:  The critical nature of this position requires that the incumbent be available 24 hours/day, seven days/week, in an on-call capacity in the event of an accident response. This service may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description. Travel requirements in support of an accident response may last up to several weeks with little advance notice, requiring employees to relocate to accident sites that require functioning under intense physical and mental stress. 

Travel Required

• 25% or Greater
• Travel Required

Relocation Authorized

• No

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for selective Service
• Relevant experience/eligibility requirements (see Qualifications in Tab 3)
• Suitability for Federal employment
• Financial Interest in transportation enterprises is prohibited
• Bargaining Unit Position

Qualifications

To minimally qualify for the GS-13 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 or equivalent level.  Specialized experience is defined as: (1) applied knowledge of commercial transportation accident or criminal investigation family assistance response; (2) an understanding of project or case management of victim services at commercial/civil transportation accidents or criminal events; (3) an ability to communicate effectively with victims and family members of victims impacted by disasters; and (4) an ability to coordinate family assistance operations during a disaster response. 

To minimally qualify for the GS-14 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 or equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) applied knowledge of commercial transportation accident or criminal investigation family assistance response; (2) experience in project or case management of victim services at commercial/civil transportation accidents or criminal events; (3) an ability to communicate effectively with victims and family members of victims impacted by disasters; (4) an ability to coordinate family assistance operations during a disaster response; (5) the ability to develop standard operating procedures, emergency response plans or other guidelines; and (6) an ability to develop and deliver training programs focused on transportation family assistance operations to transportation organizations, non-governmental organizations, state, local and federal agencies.

There is no appropriate educational substitution at this level.

Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Security Clearance

• Not Applicable

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