As a Railroad Safety Inspector (Operating Practices), you will:
- Examine carrier operating rules and employee qualification guidelines; observe employees for compliance with rules related to the movement of trains; and assist with blue signal protection inspections; Administer the Federal alcohol and drug control program (Part 219), hours of service (Part 228), and engineer/conductor certification standards (Parts 240/242).
- Synthesize data from locomotive event recorders and dispatching software to verify speed compliance and signal indications.
- Evaluate the relationship between fatigue, training, and operational stress on railroad employee performance.
- Investigate accidents by visiting sites and determining probable cause (human factors, equipment, etc.); interview employees and witnesses; and investigate complaints from the public regarding unsafe practices.
- Document complex rule violations to withstand legal scrutiny during civil penalty proceedings. Write narrative reports describing accidents and recommending preventive measures. Provide evidence to assist in prosecution and appear in federal court as a witness for the government.
The ideal candidate is a mid-level professional to serve as a Railroad Safety Inspector (Operating Practices). In this role, you will be the "boots on the ground" ensuring that railroads operate safely and in compliance with Federal laws. You will be responsible for a designated territory, conducting inspections, investigating accidents, and ensuring that railroad personnel are qualified, rested, and drug-free.
- 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.
This is an open continuous announcement for 90 days with various cut-off dates. We will routinely review applications.
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.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
- PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
- DRIVER'S LICENSE: Applicant must posess and maintain a valid State issued Driver's License.
- 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).
**CONTINUED IN "OTHER INFORMATION" SECTION**
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the Basic requirements AND the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
- Knowledge of the railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment; AND
- Knowledge of the general safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry; AND
- Knowledge of railroad accident investigation techniques; AND
- Skill in written and oral communication.
In addition, you must posess experience in Operating Practices:
- Knowledge of railroad operating practices, rules, and procedures, especially as they relate to safety issues; AND
- Knowledge of Federal regulations and standards relating to railroad operations and requirements in such areas as hours of service, accident reporting, blue signal protection of workers, rear end markers, radio communication, railroad employee qualifications, and railroad employee testing.
To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspector (Operating Practices), the Qualifications Standard state you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas: Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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 applying regulations and orders covering employee qualifications, hours of service, occupational safety and health, radio rules, operating rules and practices, alcohol and drug program administration, and locomotive engineer certification to maintain compliance.
- Experience investigating railroad accidents, collecting evidence at accident sites, and interviewing witnesses to determine probable cause.
- Experience examining carrier records (accident/injury files, hours-of-service, dispatching logs) to identify non-compliance and reporting discrepancies.
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:
- Operating Practices Knowledge - Examine carrier operating rules and employee qualification guidelines; observe employees for compliance with rules related to the movement of trains; and assist with blue signal protection inspections; Administer the Federal alcohol and drug control program (Part 219), hours of service (Part 228), and engineer/conductor certification standards (Parts 240/242).
- Analytical Skills - Synthesize data from locomotive event recorders and dispatching software to verify speed compliance and signal indications. Evaluate the relationship between fatigue, training, and operational stress on railroad employee performance.
- Investigations Technique - Investigate accidents by visiting sites and determining probable cause (human factors, equipment, etc.); interview employees and witnesses; and investigate complaints from the public regarding unsafe practices.
- Communication & Technical Writing - Document complex rule violations to withstand legal scrutiny during civil penalty proceedings. Write narrative reports describing accidents and recommending preventive measures. Provide evidence to assist in prosecution and appear in federal court as a witness for the government.
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.
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
**CONTINUED FROM "REQUIREMENTS" SECTION**
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- 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.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.
Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the standards for this vacancy and provide all of the following documents:
- your most recent performance appraisal,
- the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
- your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.
For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USA Jobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
