Transportation Program Specialist

About the Role

This position provides critical program planning, grant development, and oversight functions which are core to the Regional Office. The role evaluates and manages program planning and oversight needs for the region, including recommending staff or contractor reviews and prioritizing resources to effectively oversee assigned grantees. While geographically located in a single FTA Regional Office, the position may carry responsibilities across multiple regions.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation to headquarters in program evaluation, systems planning, and data analysis, and offer management assistance and policy guidance to grantees to ensure compliance with Federal laws.
• Participate in the review, analysis, development, and recommendation of FTA policies, serving on task forces to develop new policies or improve existing procedures.
• Advise grantees in developing creative solutions for operations, budgeting, and planning problems, using specialized knowledge to resolve unique issues.
• Represent FTA through oral and written communications in meetings at Regional and Headquarters levels and in the field with state/local officials, private/public operators, and groups concerned with transit matters.
• Participate in planning, grant development, project management, and oversight activities.

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

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen and meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Submit application and resume online by the closing date.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

Conditions of Employment

• A 1-year probationary period is required, during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. Continued employment after probation requires written certification.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued for official travel.
• A background security investigation is required; appointment is contingent on successful completion and favorable adjudication.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications, you must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) and specialized experience requirements.

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):

• Resume must demonstrate knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position, or
• Educational background in accounting, business administration, business/commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or related fields.

Specialized Experience:

• GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, including:
  • Analyzing and evaluating transportation-related programs.
  • Utilizing methods and techniques to conduct research studies or projects relating to transportation.
  OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or a combination of education and experience.
• GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including:
  • Analyzing and evaluating transportation-related programs and developing innovative solutions for identified problems.
  • Conducting analytical studies or projects relating to transit safety-oriented programs.
  Education alone cannot qualify you for GS-12.
• GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including:
  • Analyzing and evaluating transportation-related programs and developing innovative solutions for identified problems.
  • Conducting analytical studies or projects relating to transit safety-oriented programs.
  • Managing projects/programs to implement strategies advancing transportation programs or policies.
  Education alone cannot qualify you for GS-13.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and may count toward qualifying experience.

Skills

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Planning and Evaluating: Knowledge of methods for researching and analyzing external products to determine their potential for meeting organizational standards and needs.
• Project Management: Knowledge of principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including costs, work, and contractor performance.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.
• Oral and Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career rewarding. Eligibility depends on the type of position (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).