About this role
Job SummaryThis position serves as Director of the Office of State Programs in the Office of Pipeline Safety (PHP), located within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
QualificationsTo 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 the specialized experience qualifications. To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience applying professional general engineering principles and practices to address safety, integrity management, and environmental issues involving natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems. Experience evaluating and managing state or federal pipeline safety regulatory programs, including monitoring state agency performance. Experience administering grant-in-aid programs, allocating federal funding based on program performance, and resolving financial audit findings. You cannot qualify on education alone; you MUST also have experience. 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: Pipeline Safety Engineering and Oversight: Mastery of professional general engineering principles, practices, and technical standards applicable to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems, integrity management programs, and state regulatory operations. Program Administration and Grant Management: Knowledge of federal grant-in-aid procedures, performance-based funding allocations, state program certification processes, and financial audit resolution within pipeline safety programs. Intergovernmental Liaison and Stakeholder Coordination: Skill in intergovernmental liaison, public relations, and negotiating complex issues with high-ranking federal, state, and industry officials. 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 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Major DutiesAs a Supervisory General Engineer (State Program Director), you will: Develop and implement the Department's policy for Federal natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety laws carried out through State programs. Direct the Grant-In-Aid Program, including agreements with States for Federal funds to support intrastate pipeline safety programs, and maintain state program manuals and their appropriate applications and certifications of participating state agencies. Resolve state financial audit findings and follow-up on actions to correct deficiencies in conjunction with the Office of Pipeline Associate Administrator, assigned cognizant agent, State Comptrollers, and/or audit officials. Review and certify current and pending state pipeline safety regulations, negotiate with states regarding their pipeline safety regulations to establish such things as the one-call damage prevention program and additional jurisdictions regarding certification of state pipeline operators. Develop and implement program, procedural, guidelines and methods for evaluation of State agency performance. The Ideal Candidate Statement: PHMSA desires a candidate with a proven record of managing a pipeline program related to the transportation of natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous materials by State regulated pipelines. A candidate who consistently manages and maximizes personnel potential through delegation, coaching, empowerment, and accountability. The candidate must be capable of adapting quickly to complexities and challenges and possess sound judgement and willingness to make decisions during stressful environments.RequirementsCONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: New supervisors must complete a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed). DRUG TEST: This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.ID entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace." Therefore, is selected for this position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment / pre-appointment drug test. you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.