About this role
Job SummaryThe position is located in the Office of Railroad Development (RRD), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). You will serve as the Southeast Division Chief in the Office of Regional Project Delivery in RRD. The mission is to is to partner with stakeholders participating in Federal rail programs throughout the full project lifecycle to ensure effective and efficient delivery of projects.
QualificationsTo meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. Individual Occupational Requirement: Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled (for positions above GS-5). To qualify for the GS-15, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience leading and providing oversight for transportation industries operating programs and projects. Experience with performance metrics for services or programs, including financial performance, service reliability, customer service, asset condition, and delivery of policy goals. Experience communicating with senior executives and stakeholders to include federal, state, and local officials to provide guidance, advocate, and represent an organization. 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: 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. Financial Management - Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities. 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. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. 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/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Major DutiesSupervisory Transportation Specialist Serves as a principal advisor to FRA officials on all aspects of intercity passenger and freight rail services. Coordinates and manages rail policy as it applies to project and program development as well as legislative proposals and strategic planning. Reviews current rail policy and recommends any necessary changes to budgets and policies. Acts as FRA's liaison to Departmental offices and other governmental organizations on matters of passenger, freight rail and intermodal policy and development as requested by the Administrator or the Associate Administrator. Prepares briefs, position papers, or other analytical documents for policy makers and stakeholders on national, regional, and local issues affecting rail. Directs the monitoring and evaluation of performance for rail services, including financial performance, service reliability, customer service, asset condition and delivery of policy goals established by Congress and the Administration, and to assure that congressionally mandated criteria are met. Working with other divisions and offices in FRA and DOT, analyzes shared-use infrastructure, and assesses rail capacity and performance needs. Provides support to FRA's representatives on boards and commissions. The ideal candidate: The ideal candidate possesses an in-depth understanding of project development, management, and delivery. Demonstrates an understanding of the roles of planning, environmental clearance, and grants management. The candidate has experience managing personnel and high-level stakeholder relationships. The ideal candidate should possess experience in budgeting, strategic planning, and process improvement. The position requires little to no training in complex transportation policies and programs.RequirementsCONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: New supervisors must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.