The Director of the Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance (OPAGAC) manages the office, serves as the principal representative between the Board, Congress, Federal, State, local, and foreign government agencies, other relevant organizations, and trade industries. The Director provides expert advice to the Chairman and Board members on carrier operations and management direction toward the accomplishment of the Office's stated mission and functions.
Summary
The Director of the Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance (OPAGAC) manages the office, serves as the principal representative between the Board, Congress, Federal, State, local, and foreign government agencies, other relevant organizations, and trade industries. The Director provides expert advice to the Chairman and Board members on carrier operations and management direction toward the accomplishment of the Office's stated mission and functions.
Manage the staff to ensure policies are developed and implemented, priorities are established, organizational structure is most efficient, staffing levels are maintained, staff is well-trained, and resources are utilized to ensure the accomplishments of the Office's mission.
Oversee and coordinate the preparation of responses to requests from Congress and Congressional committees seeking information on matters before the Board, the Congressional activity of the Board, and the planning, preparation, and presentation of testimony before Congressional committees. Confidently speak to large audiences, handle media interactions, formulate and deliver consistent messages to promote the agency's work, educate the public concerning agency activities, oversee the agency's website and social media and represent the agency before public stakeholders.
Direct the review and application of all Board rules relating to the operations of carriers under the Board's jurisdiction and oversee the conduct of special studies, reports, and nationwide monitoring and consumer assistance programs. Recommend appropriate action and reporting procedures for the regulated surface transportation sector.
Oversee staff working in the Rail Customer and Public Assistance (RCPA) program in responding to inquiries from stakeholders, pertaining to matters subject to Board jurisdiction and in resolving disputes between railroads, shippers, and other stakeholders, by leveraging commercial and operational knowledge of the transportation industry. Demonstrate experience building and maintaining professional relationships in the transportation industry. Interact with the transportation industry, confidently explaining transportation issues. Ensure the training and availability of staff to assist disputing parties in reaching mutually agreeable solutions to challenging issues.
Advise the Chairman on the development of, and direct the establishment of, investigative and enforcement policies applicable to the Office. Direct investigations, the analysis and evaluation of program effectiveness and adherence to established policies and objectives.
Represent the Board as a speaker, panel member, and participant in conferences and meetings convened by various organizations involved in transportation related matters; organize and chair informal conferences needed to address transportation issues.
- All qualification requirements must be met by and application and resume submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST of the closing, date (October 19, 2021).
- Your application package will not receive consideration if it lacks any of the required documents under the "Required Documents" tab.
- Probationary Period: Must complete a 1-year SES probationary period, if not previously completed.
- You will be required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure report, OGE-278. You will need to provide this information annually.
- Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/Background Suitability Investigation: Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability or security clearance.
- If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until a background investigation has been fully adjudicated.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must clearly articulate and describe within your resume (no more than five (5) pages)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 Executive Core Qualifications listed below.
Mandatory Technical Qualifications. Below are the descriptions of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications for this position. Your resume(no more than five (5) pages)must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet these technical qualifications.
MTQ 1 - Demonstrates extensive experience advising on Congressional activities, including providing members of Congress and Congressional staffs with clear and concise analyses, orally and in writing. Demonstrates extensive experience with the planning, preparation, and presentation of testimony before the Congressional committees. Confidently speaks to large audiences, handles media interactions, formulates, and delivers consistent messaging to promote the organization's work, educates the public concerning the organization's activities, oversee the organization's website, and social media, and represents the organization before public stakeholders.
MTQ 2 - Demonstrates experience overseeing staff in resolving disputes in the transportation industry and with stakeholders by leveraging commercial and operational knowledge of the industry and building and maintaining professional relationships in the industry.
Executive Core Qualifications. Below are descriptions of the mandatory ECQs that are required for all SES positions. Your resume (no more than five (5) pages) must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the 5 ECQs.
ECQ 1 - Leading Change: 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, and Vision.
ECQ 2 - Leading People: 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, and Team Building.
ECQ 3 - Results Driven: 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 Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, and Technical Credibility.
ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, and Technology Management.
ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: 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, and 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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Benefits - A comprehensive benefits package, in addition to work life balance flexibilities.
Telework - Determined by agency policy.
Fitness Center - No cost to STB employees, conveniently located in the building.
Transit Benefits - We subsidize mass transit commuting costs each month.
Information related to performance, suitability, and security will be verified. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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. If selected, you will be required to present a written narrative statement addressing the ECQs (no more than 10 pages, 2 pages per ECQs). 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 EST 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents must be provided by the closing date:
RESUME - You must submit a resume which should not exceed five (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrates you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and the 5 ECQs. Include your name on each page. No photos allowed.
SF-50 - Current & former federal employees should submit an SF-50 which shows your eligibility status. We recommend submitting your current SF-50 or most recent SF-50. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify eligibility. Current Career Senior Executives and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of an SF-50 which shows career SES status.
CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CERTIFICATE - individuals who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program, submit a copy of your OPM certificate.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in your removal from consideration for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME ONLY. Your resume of no more than five (5) pages must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and meet the 5 ECQs. Your resume must not exceed 5 pages; all other pages WILL NOT be considered.
Application packages must be received online no later than 11:59pm EST on the closing date of the announcement.
If submitting a cover letter, it may only be one page in length; all other pages WILL NOT be considered.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the job announcement posting. Create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
Upload your resume of no more than five (5) pages and supporting documents.
To begin your online application:
You need to create a login.gov account, if you don't already have one. Your old USAJOBS username and password won't work anymore.
You'll need to:
-Create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
-Enter an email address during the account set up - use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
-Create a new password. Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code.
-Finish setting up your login.gov account.
-Once you've finished setting up your login.gov account, you'll go back to USAJOBS to finish the process. Double check your USAJOBS Profile to make sure all of your information is accurate.
-You need to use your login.gov email address, password and security code every time you want to sign into USAJOBS.
-Follow the prompts in USAJOBS to take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more details.
Note: We recommend you don't use a .gov, .mil or .edu email address. Instead, you should use a personal (non-government) email address when you create your login.gov account. You also can't use an email address you share with someone else.
** For any issues signing into login.gov, go to https://login.gov/contact/
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20423
US
Next steps
If you have opted to receive account status updates via USAJobs, you will receive online confirmation that your application package has been received. All applicants will receive a notification email of the final outcome regarding the hiring decision.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents must be provided by the closing date:
RESUME - You must submit a resume which should not exceed five (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrates you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and the 5 ECQs. Include your name on each page. No photos allowed.
SF-50 - Current & former federal employees should submit an SF-50 which shows your eligibility status. We recommend submitting your current SF-50 or most recent SF-50. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify eligibility. Current Career Senior Executives and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of an SF-50 which shows career SES status.
CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CERTIFICATE - individuals who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program, submit a copy of your OPM certificate.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in your removal from consideration for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME ONLY. Your resume of no more than five (5) pages must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and meet the 5 ECQs. Your resume must not exceed 5 pages; all other pages WILL NOT be considered.
Application packages must be received online no later than 11:59pm EST on the closing date of the announcement.
If submitting a cover letter, it may only be one page in length; all other pages WILL NOT be considered.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the job announcement posting. Create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
Upload your resume of no more than five (5) pages and supporting documents.
To begin your online application:
You need to create a login.gov account, if you don't already have one. Your old USAJOBS username and password won't work anymore.
You'll need to:
-Create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
-Enter an email address during the account set up - use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
-Create a new password. Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code.
-Finish setting up your login.gov account.
-Once you've finished setting up your login.gov account, you'll go back to USAJOBS to finish the process. Double check your USAJOBS Profile to make sure all of your information is accurate.
-You need to use your login.gov email address, password and security code every time you want to sign into USAJOBS.
-Follow the prompts in USAJOBS to take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more details.
Note: We recommend you don't use a .gov, .mil or .edu email address. Instead, you should use a personal (non-government) email address when you create your login.gov account. You also can't use an email address you share with someone else.
** For any issues signing into login.gov, go to https://login.gov/contact/
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20423
US
Next steps
If you have opted to receive account status updates via USAJobs, you will receive online confirmation that your application package has been received. All applicants will receive a notification email of the final outcome regarding the hiring decision.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.