Highway Safety Specialist (State Programs Specialist) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

About the Role

The incumbent serves as the State Program Specialist within a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Field Division Office, with responsibility for oversight, promotion, and review of highly technical projects and programs of the agency.

The ideal candidate for this position is a senior-level professional who takes pride in managing and overseeing the enhancement of program success and operations efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), Performance and Registration Information System Management (PRISM), and Intelligent Transportation System/Commercial Vehicle Operations (ITS/CVO) program reviews; monitor corrective actions to closure.
• Oversee MCSAP grants, Commercial Vehicle Safety Plans (CVSPs), and program evaluations; ensure compliance with program objectives and Federal requirements.
• Manage PRISM implementation, grant monitoring, and program reviews; coordinate with State agencies to advance enforcement and compliance initiatives.
• Represent FMCSA with State DOT leadership, Highway Patrol, industry, and community stakeholders.

Requirements

Conditions of employment for this position include:

• A 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued for official business travel.
• A background security investigation is required; appointment is subject to successful completion and favorable adjudication.
• Submission of a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test and ongoing random drug testing, as this is a critical safety/security position.
• Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent or equivalent to the GS-12, including:

• Experience planning, coordinating, and conducting program reviews related to all activities of the program.
• Experience planning initiatives that resolve safety regulations, standards, and enforcement programs.
• Experience executing motor carrier safety mandated and legislative requirements on a statewide basis.

Skills

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):

• Grants Management: Knowledge of requirements, practices, and procedures for soliciting, receiving, reviewing, and processing proposals, and awarding and administering grants and agreements.
• 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.
• Grants Management Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines: Knowledge of principles, laws, regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines (e.g., Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB circulars) of grant or agreement programs, including their order of precedence.
• Oral/Written Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

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).