Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens.

The Executive Director,

• Develops, implements, and coordinates policy and program planning systems including the identification of program needs, establishing intermediate and long-range goals to achieve organizational objectives.
• Promotes the study of industry trends, the proposal of legislative initiatives to Congress on behalf of the Administration, and the translation of legislative requirements into regulations and/or practical guidance.
• Collaborates with other members of the Administrator's staff, Associate Administrators/Chief Counsel, and counterparts in the Department and other Operating Administrations in the development and implementation of goals and objectives. Coordinates across Associate Administrator lines and recommends modification, curtailment, elimination, expansion or other proposed changes to ensure balance among competing projects for the optimum utilization of available resources in FRA. Ensures Railroad Road Safety is integrated into high-speed rail planning and programs.
• Supports and complies with FRA programs to foster equal employment opportunities, affirmative action, and disadvantaged business enterprises. Ensures all programs under his/her purview reflect diversity principles in their management and operation, thereby improving the inclusiveness and diversity of the organization.
• Directs the conduct of studies, reviews and evaluation of ongoing FRA operational, support programs to assess results, effectiveness and responsiveness. Provides leadership in the realization of mission accomplishment through strong advocacy of systematic action and program responsibility.
• Directs the establishment of FRA business and administrative policies, procedures, standards, systems and directives for the accomplishment of statutory and regulatory requirements that fall within the purview of the FRA.
• Ensures accountability for management actions, fiscal stewardship and accountability, and transparency in carrying out strategic priorities and operations.
• Recommends process changes or improvements regarding the structure, operation and wellbeing of FRA as these elements relate to the implementation of FRA programs. Assists the Administrator and/or the Deputy Administrator in promoting ongoing quality improvement, strategic plans, economy, and performance measurement and evaluation.
• Represents the Administrator and/or the Deputy Administrator in meetings and/or conferences with high-level Departmental staff, executives and staff at other Federal agencies, State and local officials, officials of foreign governments, members of Congress, corporate executives, and public interest group representatives as well as private citizens.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Provide all required documents by closing date.
• Requires a Top Secret clearance.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Complete a one-year SES probationary period (unless already completed).

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Complete a Public Financial Disclosure report, OGE-278. You will need to provide the information annually

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must clearly articulate and describe within your five (5) page resume evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity.  Your resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of this position and meet the mandatory Technical Qualification(s) and Managerial Executive Core Qualifications listed below.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Below are the descriptions of the mandatory technical qualifications for this position. Your five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet these technical qualifications. 

1. Demonstrated experience providing leadership in a large, complex organization, developing and implementing policies and procedures for administrative and financial management functions and activities, such as human resources, information technology, communications
services, budgets, acquisitions, administrative services, accounting, financial reporting and internal controls.

2. Demonstrated experience directing a diversified staff involved in planning, developing and implementing complex operational and administrative programs to support and achieve agency goals and objectives.

3. Demonstrated experience in advising and participating with senior level officials in the establishment of policies and advises on the implications for organizational program operations.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Below are descriptions of the mandatory ECQs that are required for all SES positions. Your  five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the 5 ECQs.

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision
ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building
ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility
ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management
ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating

FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.

Additional information about the SES and Executive Core Qualifications can be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) SES Website.

You are strongly encouraged to review OPMs Guide to SES Qualifications for specific examples and guidance on writing effective ECQ narrative statements and executive resumes.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

An SES reviewing panel will evaluate your application based on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Applicants  determined to be highly qualified may undergo an interview and a reference check and and may also be asked to submit a written 10-page narrative statement addressing each of the ECQ areas.  If you are contacted for a second-round interview, you may be asked to submit a written narrative statement addressing each of the ECQ areas (Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, Building Coalitions). If selected, your written narrative statement addressing the ECQs must be certified by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB), unless you are a current SES executive or have successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program. You must receive certification before you can be appointed to the position.

All applications must be completed and submitted electronically no later than midnight ET of the closing date. Final reviews will be performed after the announcement closing, and timely notice of the status of your application will be emailed to you. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and selecting Application Status.