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CAREER OPPORTUNITY

####### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

####### FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

**ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: FRA-07-39K**

**POSITION TITLE: Railroad Safety Inspector (Motive Power and
Equipment), GS-2121-11/12**

**Full Performance Level: GS-12**

Note: This position has special requirements. See page 3.

Salary: GS-11 - \$52,912 to \$68,787;

GS-12 - \$63,417 to \$82,446 per annum

## POSITION LOCATION: Federal Railroad Administration

**Office of Safety**

> **Charlotte, North Carolina**

## Who May Apply: FRA Wide (FRA status candidates and FRA candidates eligible for special appointing authorities. Candidates eligible for consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program also may apply.) 

## OPENING DATE: 03-09-07

# CLOSING DATE: 03-30-07

**NUMBER AND TYPE: One Full-Time Permanent Position**

**Due to U.S. mail delays, it is recommended that applicants fax, use a
professional delivery service (i.e., FedEx, UPS, etc.), email, or
personally deliver applications to ensure timely receipt.**

### DOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political
affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit
factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with
disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the
application and hiring process, please notify us. Decisions on granting
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

**[Why Work For Us?]{.underline}** Transportation impacts every facet of
American life, providing people access to work, school, loved ones, and
nature's rich bounty. The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed
to transportation excellence and strives to create the best possible
integrated air, land, and sea transportation system for America. As a
DOT employee, you will become a part of the dedicated workforce who work
day-to-day to make measurable improvements in our transportation system,
the security of our nation, and the quality of American life.

##### 

The Federal Railroad Administration, an Operating Administration under
the Department of Transportation, was created to promote and enforce
safety throughout the U.S. railroad system, rehabilitate the Northeast
Corridor rail passenger services, consolidate Federal support for rail
transportation, and support research and development for rail
transportation for passengers, railroad employees and the general
public.

######## Summary Of The Essential Job Functions: As a Railroad Safety Inspector (Motive Power and Equipment), you will be required to:

-   Carry out periodic inspections to ensure uniform application of and
    compliance with motive power and equipment regulations, rules and
    laws.

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-   Conduct investigations of accidents which result in serious injury
    to persons or property of the railroads and develop comprehensive
    reports of findings and recommendations.

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-   Investigate complaints of unsafe conditions or noncompliance with
    motive power and equipment, safety appliance and power brake laws.

-   Promote cooperation between FRA, carriers, shippers, labor
    organizations and States to improve railroad safety.

**[What Are The Minimum Qualifications For This Position?]{.underline}**

> You must have at least one year of specialized experience in or
> directly related to the essential job functions described above. For
> Federal employees this experience must have been at the next lower
> grade level. If you want us to consider experience you obtained
> outside the Federal Government, it must have been at that same level
> of complexity. The specialized experience must demonstrate:

-   Broad 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; and

-   Skill in written and oral communication.

-   Knowledge of the design, maintenance or inspections of various types
    of locomotives and freight cars currently in use and their
    capabilities and limitations;

-   Knowledge of the installation, maintenance or testing of railroad
    safety appliances and power brakes, and their capabilities and
    limitations; and,

-   Knowledge of applicable Federal laws and regulations pertaining to
    inspection and testing of locomotives, freight cars, safety
    appliances and power brakes.

######## What Are The Desired Knowledge, Skills And Abilities For This Job?  {#what-are-the-desired-knowledge-skills-and-abilities-for-this-job .unnumbered}

See the Qualification Requirements listed above.

**[Other Special Job Requirements]{.underline}**

-   If selected, you will be required to possess a valid State drivers
    license at all times while employed by the FRA in order to perform
    the duties of the position.

###### If selected, you must pass a Drug Test prior to appointment unless you are presently employed in a DOT position that requires drug testing. You also will be subject to random drug testing while employed in this safety-sensitive position. 

-   The position requires extensive travel.

-   If selected, you may choose to work out of FRA-provided office
    space, or [subject to the approval of the supervisor, another
    approved office space]{.underline} (e.g., place of residence)

**[How Will The Qualified Applicants Be Further Evaluated And Rated To
Identify The Best Qualified?]{.underline}** If you are basically
qualified for this job, you will be further evaluated on the quality and
extent of your total accomplishments, experience and education related
to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below, if any. We also may
consider your performance appraisal, awards, and relevant training. Your
ranking will measure the degree to which your background matches the
demands of this position.

**[What Employee Benefits Do We Provide?]{.underline}** The Federal
Government offers excellent benefits**,** flexible work schedules and
family-friendly programs. You will receive paid annual leave and sick
leave. Depending on whether the position you are applying for is
permanent or time limited, you will be eligible for retirement, health
insurance, life insurance and Long Term Care insurance. A brief summary
of the Federal benefits for permanent employees can be found at
[www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI61.htm](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI61.htm).

**[Before You Go Any Further, Here Are Some Other Things You Need to
Know]{.underline}**

-   United States citizenship is required. (Proof of citizenship will be
    required to be shown upon appointment.)

-   You must meet the qualification and time-in-grade requirements by
    the closing date of the announcement.

-   If you can be appointed under a special appointment authority,
    please let us know on your application the special appointing
    authority for which you can be considered. You must submit proof of
    your eligibility for a special appointment authority.

-   If the selection results in the promotion or reassignment of a
    current FRA Railroad Safety Inspector Trainee, travel and
    transportation expenses to the new duty location will be paid by the
    FRA in accordance with applicable Federal regulations. If the
    selection results in the reassignment of a current GS-12 FRA
    employee or a change to lower grade of a current FRA employee,
    transportation and travel expenses will NOT be paid.

-   The FRA has determined that seniority rights, leaves of absence, and
    reemployment rights generally constitute an actual or an appearance
    of a conflict of interest. New employees may be required to divest
    themselves of such rights immediately upon hire if these rights are
    determined to constitute an actual or appearance of a conflict of
    interest. If new employees are permitted to retain such rights,
    which is generally the case for Railroad Safety Inspectors, the
    rights must be divested at the end of the one year probationary
    period. No waivers of this requirement will be granted.

-   FRA employees are prohibited from owning railroad stock, except,
    under certain circumstances, as part of a diversified mutual fund.

-   If selected, you will be subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct
    applicable to all DOT employees.

**[How To Apply For This Position]{.underline}**

1)  You may submit your current Resume or an OF-612 (Optional
    Application for Federal Employment). The OF-612 can be found on the
    OPM website at [www.opm.gov](http://www.opm.gov/) under Federal
    Forms. You may choose which form to submit provided it contains all
    required information. Required information is listed in the section
    below labeled "Here's What Your Application Must Contain." Please be
    sure to indicate what grade level(s) you are applying for and the
    duty location.

2)  You may submit the attached Voluntary Reassignment Application Form
    instead of an application or resume if you are eligible for
    consideration for voluntary reassignment to Railroad Safety
    Inspector, GS-12 positions under Article 11, Section D of the
    Memorandum of Agreement between the FRA and the American Federation
    of Government Employees, Local 2814 dated May 2000. If you are not
    eligible under the above Article 11, Section D, you must submit one
    of the forms listed in (1) above.

3)  A complete performance appraisal is required. It must be
    [current]{.underline} -- meaning it was issued to you within the
    past year -- and it must be [official]{.underline} -- meaning it
    appraises your performance over a normal rating cycle in your
    present job and has been signed by your supervisor. If you are
    unable to submit your current performance appraisal, please tell us
    why. You [also]{.underline} should submit a copy of your latest
    SF-50 \"Notification of Personnel Action" that reflects career or
    career-conditional tenure. You do not need to submit a performance
    appraisal or an SF-50 if you are using the Voluntary Reassignment
    Application Form.

4\) To be considered for selection priority under the Career Transition
Assistance Program (CTAP),

you must submit appropriate certification that you are eligible. In
addition, you must be

determined to be well-qualified for the position. **[Well-qualified
applicant]{.underline}**: An eligible

applicant who meets all qualifications, standards, and eligibility
requirements for the position,

including medical qualifications; minimum educational and experience
requirements; selective

placement factors; knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs); quality
ranking factors; and any

other special qualifying conditions, and is able to satisfactorily
perform the duties of the

position upon entry.

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ###  HERE'S WH                   |                                   |
| AT YOUR APPLICATION MUST CONTAIN |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## JOB INFORMATION               | ## WORK EXPERIENCE                |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   Announcement number and      | (paid and unpaid)                 |
|     title of the position        |                                   |
|                                  | -   Job Title                     |
| ##                               |                                   |
|                                  | -   Duties and accomplishments    |
| ## PERSONAL INFORMATION          |                                   |
|                                  | -   Employer's name and address   |
| -   Full name                    |     (indicate if we may contact   |
|                                  |     your current supervisor)      |
| -   Mailing address (with Zip    |                                   |
|     Code)                        | -   Supervisor's name and         |
|                                  |     telephone number              |
| -   Social Security Number       |                                   |
|                                  | -   Starting and ending dates     |
| -   Country of citizenship (Most |     (month and year)              |
|     Federal jobs require United  |                                   |
|     States citizenship)          | -   Hours per week                |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   Veterans' preference         | -   Salary and/or Grade (GS-or    |
|                                  |     equivalent)                   |
| (**Proof Required -- Attach DD   |                                   |
| 214**)                           | ## OTHER QUALIFICATIONS           |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   Federal employees &          | -   Job-related training courses  |
|     Reinstatement eligibles      |     (title and year)              |
|     (**Attach SF-50**)           |                                   |
|                                  | -   Job-related skills (e.g.,     |
| -   Highest Federal civilian     |     foreign languages, computer   |
|     grade held                   |     software/hardware, etc.)      |
|                                  |                                   |
| ## EDUCATION                     | ```{=html}                        |
|                                  | <!-- -->                          |
| -   High School name, city,      | ```                               |
|     state, and date of diploma   | -   Job-related certificates and  |
|     or GED                       |     licenses (current only)       |
|                                  |                                   |
| ```{=html}                       | ```{=html}                        |
| <!-- -->                         | <!-- -->                          |
| ```                              | ```                               |
| -   College/University names,    | -   Job-related honors, awards,   |
|     city, and state              |     and special accomplishments   |
|                                  |     (e.g., memberships in         |
| ```{=html}                       |     professional or honor         |
| <!-- -->                         |     societies, leadership         |
| ```                              |     activities, public speaking,  |
| -   Major(s)                     |     performance awards and        |
|                                  |     publications) (give dates)    |
| -   Type and year of degree(s)   |                                   |
|     received                     |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

###### **Privacy Act Requirements:** The forms referenced in this announcement are used to determine applicants' qualifications for the position and are authorized under 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

###### **[Where To Send Your Application]{.underline}**

-   You may **mail or deliver** your application to the Federal Railroad
    Administration, Office of Human Resources, 1120 Vermont Avenue,
    N.W., 6^th^ Floor, Washington, DC 20590.

-   If you are faxing your application, please limit the application to
    **[a maximum of 20 pages]{.underline}** and include a cover sheet.
    Our fax number is 202/493-6169. We will not accept applications
    faxed from a Federal Government fax machine. You may email your
    application package to Katherine.Lavado@dot.gov.

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-   [ALL]{.underline} applications must be in our office or postmarked
    by the closing date of the announcement.

-   Applications mailed in a Government envelope will not be accepted.

### [Questions?]{.underline}

Call the Human Resources Office at 202/493-6112 or TDD 202/493-6487 or
6488, or email at **<Katherine.Lavado@dot.gov>.** Please reference the
announcement number so we can help you more efficiently.

Para mas informacion en espanol sobre este anuncio de vacante o
cualquier otra information sobre empleo en las Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), por favor llame a Francisco Gonzalez 202/493-6076.
La FRA es un empleador con igualidad de oportunidad en el empleo, y que
por medio de programas de accion afirmativa mantiene un ambiente
multicultural. Todos los que soliciten recibiran igual consideracion,
sin ninguna excepcion, por raza, color, religion, sexo, origin nacional,
politica, inpedimento fisico o edad.

**[ALTERNATIVE FORMATS]{.underline}**: If you need a copy of this
announcement in an alternative format to accommodate a disability,
please contact Marcella Mullins at <Marcella.mullins@dot.gov> or
202/493-6114 or at the TDD number 202/493-6487 or 6488.

**[REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION]{.underline}:** If you are requesting
reasonable accommodation in connection with applying for this vacancy,
please contact Marcella Mullins as listed above.

**[VOLUNTARY REASSIGNMENT APPLICATION FORM]{.underline}**

***This form may only be used by FRA employees who are eligible for
consideration for voluntary reassignment to Railroad Safety Inspector
positions at the GS-12 grade level under Article 11, Section D of the
Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Railroad Administration and
the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2814, dated May
2000. All other applicants must file complete application forms in
accordance with the instructions in the vacancy announcement.***

**Vacancy Announcement Number:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Duty Location of Vacancy:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Name of Applicant:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Address:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Telephone Number: Home
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Office
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Cell
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Current Railroad Safety Inspector Discipline:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Current Duty Location[:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Summary Rating of Last Performance Appraisal:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Date of Last Reassignment:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Reassigned From:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Reassigned To:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Entrance on Duty Date with the FRA:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Date Assigned to the GS-12 Grade Level:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Signature:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**

**Date:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
]{.underline}**