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.

The Supervisory Transportation Program Specialist:

• Serves as the Director of Planning and Program Development within the regional office. Works under the supervision of the Deputy  Regional Administrator and Regional Administrator supporting the region’s core program and execution of grant management and project oversight requirements. 
• Provides executive leadership and direction to a team of staff and Planning and Program Development consultants, who provide technical assistance, grants, project management, and oversight for capital and operating projects designed to improve mobility and support the delivery of public transportation throughout the region; routinely making recommendations across all of these areas to enhance operations within the Regional office and across FTA. 
• Ensures that staff reserves and records commitments of and certifies funds in coordination with the appropriate Headquarters office.
• Mentors and coaches employees and assists in the creation of individual development plans and their implementation.  Creates a  culture that encourages others to meet the organization's mission and leads staff successfully on projects, programs or task groups.
• Performs a full range of first-level supervisory responsibilities. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short- term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Develops performance standards and evaluates work performance of subordinates. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Interviews candidates for positions in the division and recommends selection. Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager. Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training. Finds ways to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the work directed. 

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 may 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.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: New supervisors must complete a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

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

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

• Experience leading and directing staff, to include tracking and evaluating their performance. 
• Experience managing and implementing projects, policies, and procedures, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Metropolitan and State Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs/STIPs) and Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs), and Federal transportation grants. 
• Experience reviewing and tracking data, preparing and delivering briefings and presentations, writing memos and other written materials to internal and external audiences. 
• Experience planning work to be accomplished by subordinates and setting and adjusting short-term and long-term priorities for a team, mentoring employees and leadong staff on projects, programs or task groups.

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:

• Program Management – Provides strategic oversight and coordination of federal transportation planning and environmental Review processes. It involves the integrated management of NEPA compliance and statewide and metropolitan fiscal planning (STIPs/TIPs). •
• Grant Administration – Oversees the development and award of federal grants to eligible recipients. •
• Written and Oral Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. 

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.