Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) -BIL DIRECT HIRE- SME

Summary This position(s) is located in the Office of Railroad Safety, Motive Power & Equipment Division. A Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) provides technical expertise and direction in th execution and administration of rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Learn more about this agency Duties As a Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) you will: Plan and carry out periodic inspections providing assurance that railroad cars and locomotives are operational in compliance with federal safety standards. The inspector is charged with the impartial and uniform application of the laws, rules, and regulations, orders and standards pertaining to railroad equipment. Inspectors are responsible for carrying out their inspections in accordance with the General Compliance Manual, MP&E Compliance Manual, FRA Technical Bulletins. Inspectors must additionally follow instructions given by the MP&E specialist and the Technical Train Standards Division Instructors. Conduct inspections in accordance with the National Safety Program Plan. Make recommendations for civil penalty assessments using discretion and interpretation of established Federal Railroad Administration doctrine. Inspect and observe tests of railroad rolling stock, including motive power, other on-track equipment, and related appurtennances to determine compliance with established applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and standards.  Prior to or during assembly and installation, inspect and observe tests and component parts of railroad facilties to determine whether such parts are suitable for the intended service. The Ideal Candidate: This position is perfect for a mid-level professional with strong technical background in applying current Federal railroad safety standards pertaining to Motive Power and equipment, as well as strong analytical and communication skills; and experience to conduct inspections pertaining to power brake systems, locomotives, railroad cars, and their related mechanical and electrical components and their capabilities and limitations; mission focused, ability to interface with all levels of railroad management, as well as the labor unions, and is looking for great health benefits and a stable work-life environment. PLEASE NOTE: This is an Open Continuous announcement. Applications will be reviewed and selections will be made at any time before the closing date. If your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be notified via USJOBS. All applicants will receive a final update once selections are complete. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). DRIVER'S LICENSE: All Railroad Safety Inspectors are required to possess a valid state drivers license at all times while employed by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) in order to perform the duties of their positions. MOBILE WORK: Duty station will be serving the geographical area of selection. The duty location for mobile worker could be your residence or other approved mobile work site(s) and is subject to management approval. You will be required to establish and maintain a residence in the same geographical area as the preponderance of work for this position. (Or within 50 commuting miles of your assigned duty location). DRUG TESTING: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspector (Motive Power & Equipment), the Qualifications Standard states you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas:  Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment. General safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry. Railroad accident investigation techniques. Communication in writing and orally. Design, maintenance, or inspection of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations. Installation, maintenance, or testing of railroad safety appliances and power brakes, their capabilities and limtations; AND Federal laws and regulations pertaining to inspection and testing of locomotives, freight cars, safety appliances, and power brakes. To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience in the functionality of mechanical equipment that pertains to desgin, maintenance, testing, and inspections of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations. Experience ensuring railroad compliance with federal regulations by auditing railroad inspections activities, conducting inspections, assessing safety complaints, and performing accident investigations. Experience producing electronic and automated inspection and violation reports that describe defective conditions, narrative accident/incident reports and present safety related information to railroad managers, and federal and state stakeholders. 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. Planning and Evaluating- Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short-or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Oral Communication- Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Written Communication- Writes a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. 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=e4All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation  RAILROAD STOCK: Pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Parts 2635.403 and 6001.104, all FRA employees (or spouses or minor children of FRA employees) are specifically prohibited from holding railroad stock (including shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. which owns 100% of BNSF), whether held outright, in an IRA, or in a 401(k) or other plan. (Employees may hold a mutual fund which invests in railroad stocks, so long as the mutual fund does not invest more than 30% of its assets in such prohibited investments.) Employees having a prohibited financial interest must divest themselves of railroad stock within 90 days after their appointment to their positions. Neither the rule against holding railroad stock, nor the divestiture period, is in any way affected by the existence of re-employment rights which employees might have with railroad companies. Nor is there any monetary threshold for applicability of the rule against ownership of railroad stock; all dollar amounts are prohibited. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.