The positions are located in FMCSA's Division offices. You will be assigned ongoing responsibility for personally administering the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Program on a State-wide basis. This encompasses motor carriers and shippers of all types and sizes. In promoting and enforcing compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, you will act independently within general program objectives and a largely self-developed and self adjusted area work plan.
The Motor Carrier Safety Specialist (Commercial Programs/HazMat/Safety/Border Investigator):
- Independently plans and carries out a schedule of safety, economic, security, and hazardous materials investigations of carrier and shipper operations; through personal interviews, examination of various records, and comparison with other known facts, determines whether the company is in compliance or whether the violations found indicate deliberate and conscious disregard of applicable regulations; makes a preliminary determination whether prosecution is warranted and evidence is sufficient to support enforcement action; if not warranted, discusses the findings with corporation officials, offers technical assistance in resolving the problems, and secures their agreement to take corrective action; follows up at a later time to ascertain compliance.
- Plans and carries out a schedule of safety, economic, security, and hazardous materials investigations of carrier and shipper operations; through personal interviews, examination of various records, and comparison with other known facts, determines whether the company is in compliance or whether the violations found indicate deliberate and conscious disregard of applicable regulations; makes a preliminary determination whether prosecution is warranted and evidence is sufficient to support enforcement action.
- Conducts investigations into alleged violations either as follow up to an investigation or in response to complaints; upon advice and approval by the supervisor, initiates enforcement investigations to develop supportive evidence of the kinds and volume needed to sustain criminal or civil forfeiture actions, cease and desist orders, or other proceedings.
- Plans and conducts unannounced roadside inspections of interstate commercial motor vehicles and driver’s documentation to determine carrier or driver compliance with applicable regulations; note deficiencies and declare out-of-service any vehicle or driver in accordance with the established Out of Service Criteria.
- Conducts in-depth investigations into the causes of highway accidents and hazardous material incidents involving motor carriers to determine whether applicable regulations or laws have been violated; develop information for use in furthering the agency’s accident prevention program.
This is an ideal position for a person who wants to do meaningful work to make travel on our nation’s highways safer by promoting and enforcing compliance of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Programs. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to relate to all types of personalities in challenging and sometimes contentious, circumstances. This is an ideal position for a person who wants to be challenged and advance within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Location/Salary Clarification: This announcement establishes an open continuous Standing Register. This Register will be used to fill positions as they become vacant. Duty locations will vary. Your consideration will be based on your top 9 location choices.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
If selected for a Border Investigator position - You must be able to speak and write fluently in English and Spanish.
To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include:
- Experience applying Federal and/or State safety regulations; AND
- Experience collecting and reviewing data.
To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement.
- **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
- 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
- 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include:
- Experience applying safety regulations concerning trucks or buses; AND
- Experience collecting, reviewing and analyzing data to prepare written summaries and reports.
It also requires practical knowledge of the economic side of the motor carrier industry including: business and operating practices; corporate structures; subterfuges; and illegal business practices.
To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have:
- 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
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:
- Knowledge of motor carrier programs with emphasis on motor carrier enforcement programs and applicable regulations.
- Skill and ability in using program management principles and practices (e.g. strategic planning, setting and communicating goals, adjusting to changing priorities, implementing/ evaluating programs, assessing the impact of new legislation on programs, etc.) to administer transportation safety programs and related technologies.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including demonstrated ability to develop and present briefings and training, as well as prepare highly technical reports and standards.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, which promote leadership, negotiations, cooperation and teamwork, including the ability to identify and foster new and innovative partnerships and avenues for marketing FMCSA expertise.
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
Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.
Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Note: This trainee position may be located in a FMCSA Division office or as a remote worker position, depending on the location assigned. If selected for a remote position (approved to work from home) you must reside within 49 miles of the city or county selected for and your home address becomes your duty station for pay setting purposes.
The difference in the salary at the GS-07 and 09 levels is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/general-schedule