Transportation Specialist - Direct Hire

This position is responsible for oversight of transportation policies, programs or projects and providing technical guidance for coordination of programs, initiatives, and activities.

As a Transportation Specialist, you will:

• Provide expertise and assist in policy formulation, problem solving, development, promotion, and demonstration of state-of-the-art practices on a wide range of Transportation programs.
• Conduct and participate in complex program reviews to evaluate and determine the extent of efficiency, effectiveness, and economy with which Transportation programs and administrative operations are carried out in conjunction with the agency’s mission and policies.
• Develop plans, goals, and oversees the implementation of systems and procedural changes.
• Serve as the point of contact for all Congressional, Headquarters, and other miscellaneous requests for information. Coordinate with appropriate staff to draft responses, reviews, finalizes and distributes correspondence.
• Develop a wide range of methodologies to collect multitude of complex data/information. Track process improvements through critical metrics and adjusts processes as necessary to gain additional process improvements.
• Provide expertise, training, and presentations to stakeholders in developing plans, goals, objectives for implementing deliverables for assigned Transportation programs.

The ideal candidate is a professional who functions independently and demonstrates leadership in team environments. The ideal candidate also has strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills. Experience in the oversight and analysis of transportation policy, programs or procedures is desirable.

For the 2101 series, specialized experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled is required.

To determine which grade(s) you may be eligible for, review the following grade specific details.  You will be asked a few questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience in your resume or you may be deemed ineligible.  

For the GS-11: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following experience and/or education requirements.

On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, which included:

• Experience with transportation processes, programs and/or projects; OR related experience that aids in the understanding and application of transportation processes, programs, and projects.

Or on Education, you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a specific degree (See Education Requirements section for applicable fields).

You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience.  This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

For the GS-12: You qualify for this grade level if you have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, which included:

• Experience researching, interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies or procedures in order to aid in transportation.

For the GS-13:You qualify for this grade level if you have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, which included: 

• Experience in managing projects/programs to implement strategies that advance transportation programs or policies; AND
• Experience in defining transportations problems and recommending solutions.

For the GS-14:You qualify for this grade level if you have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level, which included: 

• Experience independently developing and managing projects/programs or leading teams to implement strategies that advance transportation programs or policies; AND
• Experience in formulating and advancing agency goals or project/program management.

You cannot qualify on education at grades GS-12 and above, you must meet the specialized experience for each grade, which is cited above.

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. Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits.
2. Technical Credibility - Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
3. Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
4. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
5. Written Communication - Writes in 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

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply to the GS-11 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.

If applying to the GS-11 grade based on graduate education, the degree must be in the following:  Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.