Railroad Safety Specialist- Chief (Safety Management Team)

This Railroad Safety Specialist- Chief (Safety Management Team) position is with Federal Railroad Administration (Department of Transportation) in Flagstaff, AZ. This position serves as an integral member of the Federal Railroad Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Regional Operations and Outreach, Office of Railroad Safety's Safety Management Team (SMT). The primary role is to conduct/facilitate accident and incident investigations; multi­discipline and large-scale audits; railroad inspection plan; and special projects as directed by the Railroad Administrator or his/her designee. Key duties: • As a Railroad Safety Specialist (Accident Chief), you will: Conduct special studies and investigations of the most controversial problems and issues in the railroad safety program, and lead in-depth investigations of major railroad accidents, as directed by the Safety Management Team (SMT). management. Be responsible for facilitating the investigation of assigned accidents, leading a multi-discipline team of safety personnel, gathering the required evidence to support the investigation, analysis of data and evidence, as well as preparation and submission of the final report. Be responsible for the analysis and development of a recommended plan of inspection for assigned railroad(s). Be responsible for and/or providing subject matter expertise in one of the following areas support for programs such as Investigation & Audits, Risk Reduction, Passenger Rail, or Drug & Alcohol, and special projects. Fulfill the responsibilities of the FRA liaison representative with assigned railroad(s) other individuals and organizations that have an interest or are stakeholders in railroad safety, including fire departments, police departments, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Federal, State and local government agencies, public officials, and labor organizations. The ideal Candidate is an experienced professional who is a technical expert in at least one of the five railroad safety disciplines (i.e., hazardous materials, operating practices, motive power and equipment, track, signal and train control), as well as has basic working knowledge of another discipline. Experience as a technical expert who has conducted analytical investigations and special studies, and has made recommendations to improve railroad safety. Qualifications: To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Specialist, you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in ALL of the following areas: Knowledge of the railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment. Knowledge of the general safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry. Knowledge of railroad accident investigation techniques Skill in written and oral communication. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience evaluating inspection programs and safety plans for Class I, short line, or passenger railroad networks. Experience performing railroad accident / incident investigations to determine probable cause and regulatory compliance. Experience providing technical guidance, regulatory explanations, or advisory opinions regarding rail safety regulations to railroad officials, labor union representatives, public officials, or other government entities. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Accident Investigation - Knowledge of guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with an accident investigation including preservation of accident scene, root cause analysis, and evidence detection and handling. Compliance Inspection - Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines, or orders. Project Management- Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance. Influencing/Negotiating (*) - Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions. Interpersonal Skills (*)- Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult. For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.