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.

As a Supervisory Transportation Program Specialist, you will:

• Serves as the Director of Program Management and Oversight 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 Program Management and Oversight 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 these areas to enhance operations within the Regional Office and across the FTA.
• Ensures that staff reserves and records commitments of and certify funds in coordination with the appropriate Headquarters office.
• Mentors and coach employees and assist 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 tasks 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.

The ideal candidate is a senior-level professional with strong leadership skills, who has managed diverse staff, fostering teamwork, collaboration, and accountability; and with transportation industry experience in developing and managing complex, high-priority programs.

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.
• 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 qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

Individual Occupational Requirement: Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled (for positions above GS-5).

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 performing first-level supervisory responsibilities, which include planning work, setting and adjusting priorities, evaluating performance, resolving a wide range of conflicts and complaints, recommending disciplinary actions, among other supervisory duties relating to employee performance; AND
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and providing oversight to others on full-spectrum transportation-related grants management projects; AND
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and providing oversight to others on full-spectrum transportation-related financial management programs.

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:

1. Supervision: Sets well-defined and realistic goals for subordinates; displays a high level of commitment towards cultivating a cohesive and effective team; motivates others to achieve maximum results and accomplish set goals.
2. Grants Management Project Oversight: Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
3. Financial Management Program Oversight: Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities.

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.