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Transportation Specialist (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Maritime and Intermodal Outreach to promote, develop and lead projects to improve economic competitiveness, enhance the state of good repair for the Maritime Transportation System and its infrastructure, improve the quality of life in communities within proximity to ports, address environmental sustainability and safety, and augment security and preparedness goals.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 07/07/2023
Closed date: 07/20/2023
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$129,451 - $168,283 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Multiple Schedules - Work Schedules vary depending on position (Full-time, Part-time, Intermittent, etc.).
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel will vary by position and location.
Appointment type
Multiple - Multiple Appointment Types - Appointment type vary depending on position (Term, Temp, Permanent, etc.).
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
MARAD.DH-2023-0006
Control number
735948500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is for Merit Promotion (Federal Government) opportunities and also serves as a Direct Hire Public Notice to gather resumes. Vacancies are open under merit promotion to current and former Federal employees with competitive status and VEOA Applicants AND/OR applications will be accepted from All U.S. Citizens under Direct Hire Authority. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

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The Transportation Specialist:

  • Serves as the authoritative resource for the Agency relative to the marine transportation system and (1) technical advice on overall management of port and intermodal transportation and (2) port preparedness. As an expert technical authority, responsible for administrative matters relative to the Gateway port and intermodal function, responsibilities involve solving significant problems complicated by interfaces and interrelationships between and among programs, systems, functions, policies, and numerous critical issues.
  • Works closely with the Director and regional, state, and local stakeholders to designate, develop, and lead projects. These projects leverage Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration initiatives and resources to resolve transportation challenges. Projects focus on reducing congestion and promoting economic growth while employing and integrating the principles, technologies, and policies that enhance safety, protect the environment, and support emergency preparedness and response.
  • Fosters and develops an extensive network with the Federal, state, local and private sector stakeholders. Maintains a complete and current understanding of the issues within the Gateway area of responsibility that deals with policy, prioritization, and responsiveness and shares it in a timely manner, as appropriate. This includes developing and maintaining profile documents on major ports and projects in the Director’s area of responsibility.

The ideal candidate must be able to provide technical advice on port operations, maritime and inter-modal transportation, and port preparedness programs. The candidate must be able to gather data and facts, prepare guidance, policies, and directions, provide routine updates on progress of critical projects; analyze and measure effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the office programs, as well as develop recommendations for improvement.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
  • 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.
  • SECURITY CLEARANCE: Varies by position.  If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed.
  • DRUG TESTING: Varies by position. Tentatively selected candidates are required to undergo urinalysis in accordance with DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace", which includes testing for marijuana. Marijuana is legal in some states, however it’s still illegal at the federal level. Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: Travel will vary by position. If the position requires 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: Varies by position and is determined by the hiring agency.  If selected, a one-year or two-year probationary period may be required.
  • FOR DIRECT HIRE CANDIDATES: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • FOR GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES:  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.

This is not a Bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements.

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 providing technical advice on the overall management of port and inter-modal transportation, and port preparedness programs.
  • Experience coordinating office business with the private sector, while serving as a regional liaison to peers in Federal, state and local governmental agencies.

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:

  • Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
  • Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits.
  • Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
  • Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  • Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

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.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY:  Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.  If approved for occasional telework, you will be required to report to the office on a regular basis. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials.

This announcement may be used to fill additional Merit Promotion positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

How you will be evaluated

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

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. 

DIRECT HIRE: All applications will be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational and specialized experience requirements. Applicants will not be rated or ranked.  Veteran's Preference does NOT apply. All applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official. Applications received under direct hire public notice may or may not result in a referral or selection. Management has the prerogative to select at any grade level.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: 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, 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. 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.

Applicants who apply for Merit Promotion (Federal Government) consideration will also receive consideration under Direct Hire.

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. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.


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Maritime Administration

The Maritime Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation dealing with waterborne transportation. Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety.

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation.  As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome.  If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is ranked #6 in the 2022 best places to work in the Federal Government!

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
TRANSJOBS@dot.gov
Address
DOT, MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

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