Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens.

The Director, Environmental Program Management is responsible for policies, programs, and technical assistance to promote effective transportation and environmental decision making on projects using principles and processes that satisfy FRA responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and other relevant Federal statutes. The incumbent directs a multidisciplinary staff of environmental protection and other technical specialists by providing management and leadership in the development and implementation of national policies, regulations, guidelines, standards, procedures, and techniques to assure that FRA provides its environmental approvals in accordance with the many laws governing FRA’s programs.

Furthermore, The Director:

• Oversees coordination of FRA climate, resilience and energy policy.
• Oversees environmental policy development, which includes: (i) human & natural environmental policy, (ii) NEPA policy and regulations, and (iii) guidance and reporting coordination.
• Oversees environmental project review for compliance with NEPA and other environmental laws and regulations for projects with FRA action, organized into: (i) Amtrak projects, (ii) mega/major projects, and (iii) national projects.
• Directs the development, evaluation, and promotion of enhanced approaches for integrating environmental decision making in transportation planning, programming, and projects. Disseminates information on improved processes for NEPA and transportation decision making to FRA offices and other interested parties.
• Develops and promotes programmatic and project level approaches to accelerate, enhance, and integrate environmental decision making in transportation planning, programming, and projects. Establishes national goals, objectives, and priorities for interagency environmental coordination, the use of cooperating agencies, early resolution of conflicts, and “one-stop” environmental processing during project development.
• Provides assistance in identifying and resolving environmental disputes involving projects in the NEPA process.
• Establishes policies and guidelines and promotes successful approaches for engaging citizens in project level involvement activities.
• Establishes and supports environment process pilot projects, in conjunction with state and FRA offices, to test and develop better decision-making in the planning/environmental process.
• Promotes transportation planning, design, and construction practices that show a high level of sensitivity to the natural and community setting in which transportation decisions are made.
• Oversees cultural resources and preservation policy and project reviews, along with tribal and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) partnerships, and  compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and related regulations, organized into: (i) Federal Preservation Officer (FPO) and program  development, (ii) Amtrak projects, (iii) mega/major project agreements, and (iv) national project support.

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.
• A Secret clearance is required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• 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 with environmental compliance, together with a thorough understanding of the roles of the various federal, state, and local government agencies charged with similar or related responsibilities, including statutory and regulatory requirements, programs, and statutes.

2: Demonstrated experience developing, planning and managing a multi-disciplinary effort, engaging government agencies, national transportation industry organizations, and professional and technical transportation associations, to develop a rail transportation system or other related transportation projects.

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.

A Senior Executive Service (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 multiple interviews.  The best qualified applicant will be asked to submit a written 10-page 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.