Materials Engineer

Summary

This position is located in the Materials Laboratory Division of the National Transportation Safety Board. The Incumbent will primarily be responsible for analyzing the mechanical behavior of materials, structures and/or surfaces while conducting failure analysis investigations on components submitted to the Division.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles).

Duties

As a Materials Engineer, GS-0806-14, you will perform the following major duties:

Serves as an advisor to accident investigation teams on major transportation accidents regarding the mechanical behavior of materials and structures; examines transportation wreckage during the field phase of the investigation as needed; and advises investigators on the need for testing or analyses of components and structure.

Plans, directs and conducts complex failure analysis investigations of components and studies of the mechanical behavior of structures and of materials and/or surfaces in failed components submitted by field offices and accident investigation teams to support the engineering aspects of accidents investigated by the Safety Board.

Prepares formal factual and analysis reports on the procedures used and the results obtained; and, as needed, prepares recommendations to increase transportation safety.

Develops original proposals and statements-of-work for third party investigations related to analyses and studies of the mechanical behavior of materials, structures and/or surfaces; recommends the facilities to perform the investigations; maintains the NTSB's control of such projects; and analyzes results and prepares reports and recommendations based on the findings.

Provides technical support in the formulation, development, research, analysis, coordination and management of complex and/or controversial materials engineering-based safety studies/special investigations which may ultimately lead to new or revised Federal regulations or industry standards

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)

Suitability for Federal employment

Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case-by-case-basis.

Bargaining Unit Position: YES. Bargaining Unit represented by NTSB-AFGE Local 2211

Direct Deposit is required.

A probationary period may be required.

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level) by the closing date of this announcement. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

This position is being announced concurrently under Public (U.S Citizens) procedures under Vacancy Number RE--RR. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.

You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.

THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

You must meet the "Education Requirements" and the Specialized Experience" to qualify for this position as described below.

Specialized Experience Requirements

GS-14: You MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized experience is defined as experience developing proposals and statements of work for third-party investigations related to analyses and studies of the mechanical behavior of materials, structure, and/or surfaces; experience in the use of analytical instruments and equipment in order to test for failure of parts and components related to transportation accidents; and experience conducting complex materials and mechanical examinations, tests, and analyses of failed transportation components to determine the root cause of the failure.

For more information see link:

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.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) by the closing date of the announcement to verify qualifications. if selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

GENERAL EDUCATION: All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see . Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at:

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional 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.

If you left Federal Employment and received a buy out and you are selected for this position, you may be required to repay the full amount of the payment.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. For more information on VEOA please visit

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements identified below please visit

- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A

- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

- Other Special Appointment Authorities

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 or ICTAP 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 90 and above on the rating criteria for this position; and, (4) submit the appropriate documentation ( to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit:

Note: ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

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

Ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.

Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement.

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 .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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:

Flexibility

Materials Engineering

Mental Visualization

Technical Documentation

Technical Problem Solving

Writing

If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

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:

Responses to the questionnaire.

College transcripts (Unofficial or Official), if qualifying based on education or as a basic requirement.

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).

DD-214 (member copy 4), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities.

Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable.

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully