Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens.

The Office Director (OD) for the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) serves as the principal advisor and consultant to the Associate Administrator (AA) for Enforcement for all activities related to the functional responsibilities of ODI. The OD consults with leading safety authorities, nationally and internationally, for the exchange of information and ideas relative to achieving objectives of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• Provides national leadership in the investigation, inspection and testing necessary to the identification and correction of safety-related defects in domestic and foreign motor vehicles and equipment, and in the administration of safety-related defect notification requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended.
• Consults with the leading safety authorities, nationally and internationally, for the exchange of information and ideas relative to achieving objectives of NHTSA.
• Participates in and directs a multidisciplinary staff, including supervisory employees, in the planning, direction, coordination, and execution of immediate and long-range programs requiring perception and creative approaches with assistance from the Deputy Director.
• Examines the records, reports and other information requested from manufacturers with respect to actual or alleged safety-related defects.
• Directs the conduct of tests, inspections, and investigations necessary to uncover potential, or to confirm the existence of suspected or of alleged safety-related defects, in motor vehicles and related equipment.
• Deals with manufacturers on the need for notification of existing or potential safety­ related defects, which may lead to directing manufacturers to furnish appropriate notification to the purchasers of motor vehicles or equipment.
• Develops and monitors data and information gathering, and plans, develops and implements testing requirements necessary to assist in the confirmation of existing, potential, or alleged motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment safety-related defects.
• Responsible for determining the technical, budgetary and scheduling parameters for projects and makes available the necessary engineering, administrative, and technical capability for the expeditious prosecution of defect investigations.
• Serves as the principal spokesperson for the agency in consultation with manufacturers regarding the need for them to initiate safety-related recalls.

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.

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. 

TQ 1: Demonstrated ability to develop and oversee a motor vehicle defects investigation program or a comparable public policy program that enforces safety. 

TQ 2: Experience in gathering, reviewing and analyzing safety performance data and other information related to alleged motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment safety defects. 

TQ 3: Demonstrated experience in evaluating the sufficiency of technical evidence to determine, with legal support, existence of unreasonable safety risks.

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.