Rail Car Inspector Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The FRA administers and enforces Federal safety and health laws and regulations that apply to the railroad industry and its ancillary compenents. You will serve as a Railroad Safety Inspector, in an assigned territory, as a mobile worker in the Hazardous Material discipline.

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 (Hazardous Materials), 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.
• Practical knowledge of the typical reactions of different hazardous commodities to various environmental conditions and of safe procedures for containing or controlling fires, leaks, or explosions of these materials.
• Knowledge of the construction, testing, and retesting of containers used to ship hazardous materials by rail; AND
• Knowledge of Federal regulations and standards governing the shipment of hazardous materials by rail, including containerization, loading, handling, documentation, and placarding.

In addition to the above requirement, you MUST also have the following Selective Factor:

• Knowledge applying typical reactions of a wide variety of hazardous materials to various environmental conditions, and safe procedures for containing or controlling fires, explosions, or leaks of the materials.

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 federal regulations and standards for purpose of compliance to the inspection of containers and handling documentation procedures of hazardous materials at rail facilties, including inter-modal, shippers/consignee, and tank car manufacturing facilities.
• Experience analyzing data and conducting inspections to determine probable cause of accidents/incidents pertaining to the transportation of hazardous materials.
• Experience communicating effectively in a professional setting, including, but not limited to preparing written materials such as correspondence, reports, and presentations; conveying technical or complex information clearly; and tailoring communication style to the audience needs and/organization context.

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:

1. 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.
2. Hazardous Materials- Knowledge of hazardous materials and waste and their uses, interactions, dangers, production, handling, storage, and disposal. 
3. Attention to Detail- Is through when performing work and conscientious about attention to detail.
4. 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.
5. Oral Communication- Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
6. 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=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.