This position is assigned to the FHWA Office of Natural Environment, Sustainable Transportation and Resilience Team and serves as an authority on theoretical and practical elements of transportation planning, project development, and resiliency issues associated with transportation infrastructure; and developing and advancing policies and procedures for assessing and mitigating highway-related impacts of climate change effects, extreme weather and natural disasters.
Summary
This position is assigned to the FHWA Office of Natural Environment, Sustainable Transportation and Resilience Team and serves as an authority on theoretical and practical elements of transportation planning, project development, and resiliency issues associated with transportation infrastructure; and developing and advancing policies and procedures for assessing and mitigating highway-related impacts of climate change effects, extreme weather and natural disasters.
As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will:
Provide expert advice on climate change resilience on a program-wide level and for large significant transportation projects.
Serve as a liaison to other FHWA offices on climate resilience issues in areas that may include transportation planning, project development, hydraulics and hydrology, engineering design, asset management, and risk assessment.
Research, interpret, effectively communicate, promote, and provide advice on agency policies, procedures, regulations, and guidance; identify and determine relevant interagency technical/policy issues warranting coordination.
Maintain continuous expert knowledge of authorization legislation and other statutory regulatory requirements as well as relevant policies and procedures of other Federal agencies as they affect climate change resilience and the Federal-aid and Federal lands highway programs; analyze, interpret and make recommendations on both proposed and enacted legislation.
Plan, develop, and implement programs for mitigating or adapting to climate change, extreme weather and natural disasters through the appropriate application of transportation policies, methods and procedures; plan and develop programs for developing sustainable highways, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing alternative fuel infrastructure and programs.
Serve as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative in support of the FHWA research program. Perform various contract management and accounting functions in conjunction with the research program, including the development of statements of work, evaluation of vendor proposals, completion of procurement requests, and managing the day-to-day activities of contractors.
The ideal candidate is a senior professional seeking to advance innovative strategies for building and maintaining climate-resilient and sustainable transportation systems that are cost-effective, long-lasting, and efficient.
You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
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.
PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You 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.
DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
Qualifications
To determine which grade(s) you may be eligible for, review the following grade specific details before applying. You will be asked related questions as part of your application, but you also need to verify how you meet this specialized experience in your resume or you may be deemed ineligible.
To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:
Experience assisting in policy and program development related to transportation infrastructure adaptation and resilience to climate change, extreme weather and natural disasters; AND
Experience applying policies and procedures for assessing and mitigating the impacts of climate change, extreme weather and natural disasters on transportation infrastructure; AND
Experience researching, interpreting, effectively communicating, and providing advice on policies and procedures related to infrastructure resilience and sustainability of highways and transportation systems.
You cannot substitute education for specialized experience at this grade level.
To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:
Experience developing, advancing, and implementing policies and programs related to transportation infrastructure adaptation and resilience to climate change, extreme weather and natural disasters; AND
Experience developing and advancing policies and procedures for assessing and mitigating the impacts of climate change, extreme weather and natural disasters on transportation infrastructure; AND
Experience researching, interpreting, effectively communicating, and providing advice on policies and procedures related to infrastructure resilience and sustainability of highways and transportation systems.
You cannot substitute education for specialized experience at this grade level.
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:
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE - Knowledge of transportation planning, legislation, regulations and guidance.
PROGRAM ANALYSIS, DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH - Knowledge of transportation planning practices and analysis.
COMMUNICATION - Written/Oral/Presentation
COMMUNICATION - Representing an organization/interpersonal
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.
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information
This announcement is being advertised under the FHWA’s Alternative Duty Location (ADL) Program and can be filled in any one of the approved ADL locations listed on this announcement.
PLEASE NOTE: Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay for the specific area.
If the selection is under ADL, the position can be filled in any of the ADL locations listed on this announcement. Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay for the specific area. Relocation assistance is not available to applicants residing in any one of the ADL locations. Relocation is available for applicants located outside of the advertised duty locations. Employees who are not eligible for relocation because they reside in one of the advertised locations may apply for positions in other advertised duty locations; however, if selected, they must move themselves to the locations at their own expense.
Additional specifics regarding the ADL Program are located on Staffnet under January 2019 Alternate Duty Location Program Guide found at http://intra.fhwa.dot.gov/had/adl/index.htm.
Please visit the “Alternative Duty Location (ADL) Program Guide” via the FHWA Staffnet for details concerning the program.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a Bargaining unit position.
COVID VACCINATION: If selected, you will be required to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
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.
DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
To compete with U.S. Citizens: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.
To compete with other competitive status government employees: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.
Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position, must indicate interest in the assessment. In eligibility question 14: select Yes/Other/Former Incumbency of a Position brought into the Competitive Service. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position.
All applicants: Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package. If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.
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.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. Formatted resumes can be uploaded when you arrive at the DOT application system. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying.
Required for ALL Applicants
RESUME - Must include resume created within USA Jobs Resume Builder. Resume must show relevant experience, education and fully support the required specialized experience. May also upload resume, if desired, but application must include USA Jobs BUILT resume.
COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE - answered online as part of application process
FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit your most current and other SF-50(s) that verify your current position, highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50, current SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.Pay adjustment raise SF-50s (GEN ADJ) for the current year will NOT support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/
PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.)
If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP):
your most recent performance appraisal,
the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL 3 documents and meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85) to be considered under CTAP.
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.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
You may review your saved application(s) at https://my.usajobs.gov.
If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Ratings will be determined based on the documents and information received by the closing date. Qualified candidates will be assigned a category, not including points that may be assigned for veterans' preference. If the vacancy is advertised under status, your application will be scored on a scale between 70 - 100. The most highly qualified candidates are then referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. If the vacancy was advertised under category rating, then the appropriate veteran's preference will be applied. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. Formatted resumes can be uploaded when you arrive at the DOT application system. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying.
Required for ALL Applicants
RESUME - Must include resume created within USA Jobs Resume Builder. Resume must show relevant experience, education and fully support the required specialized experience. May also upload resume, if desired, but application must include USA Jobs BUILT resume.
COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE - answered online as part of application process
FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit your most current and other SF-50(s) that verify your current position, highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50, current SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.Pay adjustment raise SF-50s (GEN ADJ) for the current year will NOT support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/
PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.)
If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP):
your most recent performance appraisal,
the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL 3 documents and meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85) to be considered under CTAP.
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.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
You may review your saved application(s) at https://my.usajobs.gov.
If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Ratings will be determined based on the documents and information received by the closing date. Qualified candidates will be assigned a category, not including points that may be assigned for veterans' preference. If the vacancy is advertised under status, your application will be scored on a scale between 70 - 100. The most highly qualified candidates are then referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. If the vacancy was advertised under category rating, then the appropriate veteran's preference will be applied. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
