Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Many', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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As a Civil Engineer (Highway) (Highway Safety Engineer), you will:

• Provide early safety consideration in the planning, design, and construction phases of highway projects; and provide for improved safety hardware and related highway elements.
• Provide expert technical guidance and training on highway safety appurtenances and roadside design and promote state-of-the-art installations on highway projects.
• Perform a variety of safety studies, including Road Safety Audits, to identify deficient conditions affecting traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety; and participate with Federal Lands Management Agencies in the implementation and maintenance of safety management systems on Federal Lands.
• Coach the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques, provide advice on work methods, practices and procedures, and assist the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.
• Provide or oversee technical assistance in the selection and award of consultant services contracts by collaborating with the acquisitions department and preparing the description and scope of work, reviewing submittals and deliverables, preparing estimates, and collaborating with the acquisitions department and participating in negotiations. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced engineer who functions as the Division focal point for promoting, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring various safety policies, standards, and practices. This position is for a technically oriented employee who applies safety principles and practices to the design and construction phases of highway projects, including improving safety hardware, roadway geometric elements, and work zone operations. The ideal candidate will possess excellent oral and written communication skills. 

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• 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 and a service agreement may be required.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

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 in resolving technical issues and problems on highway safety matters related to design, construction, maintenance, and/or operations; AND
• Experience in highway safety programs and applications, such as road safety audits, traffic safety studies, roadway departure strategies to reduce crashes, intersection safety improvements, the Safe System Approach, and/or other Safety Programs; AND
• Experience in highway engineering and traffic engineering as it relates to highway safety appurtenances, roadside design practices, work zone safety, the MUTCD, the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, the AASHTO Highway Design Greenbook, the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), the Highway Safety Manual, Crash Modifications Factors, and/or the Highway Capacity Manual. Although you must meet the mandatory education requirement, you cannot qualify for GS-12 and above grades based solely on education, you must meet the specialized experience, which is cited above for this grade. 

Although you must meet the mandatory education requirement, you cannot qualify for GS-12 and above grades based solely on education, you must meet the specialized experience, which is cited above for this grade. 

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:

• Civil Engineering – Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain facilities such as buildings, transportation systems, water and sanitary systems, and other public works systems.
• Safety Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes.
• Communications - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others; attends to nonverbal cues; and responds appropriately. 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

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