Telework eligibleFederal

Director, Office of Automation Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · Department of Transportation

Program Management

Salary
$151,661–$218,800/year
Grade
00
Work location
Telework eligible · Washington, District of Columbia
Schedule
Permanent
Posted
Sep 29, 2026
Apply by
Oct 13, 2026
Category
Program Management

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Summary

The Director serves as principal advisor to the Associate Administrator (AA) concerning all matters related to the promulgation of rules and regulations involving the establishment of motor vehicle safety standards related to driving automation technology, evaluation, establishment, and modification of petitions for exemptions for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS), and the development and processing of requests for safety special programs for vehicles equipped with ADS.

Duties

As the Director, you will: Participate fully in NHTSA policy determination and program formulation. Lead and direct subordinate technical managers and other staff to evaluate and act on applications for ADS exemptions, special programs, and deployments, and amend and develop driving automation safety standards, rules, and regulations including direct adjustments to existing rules, regulations, and standards. In coordination with the Associate Administrator, represent the Office, NHTSA, and Department in dealings with safety organizations, professional societies, Federal interagency, State groups, and foreign organizations concerning issues involving the promulgation of motor vehicle rules, regulations, and standards for vehicles equipped with ADS. Translate complex concepts by leveraging a strong technical or research background to collaborate effectively with internal engineering, research, and policy subject matter experts as well as system developers across the regulated industry. Lead a team of highly qualified technical experts to execute NHTSA's priorities.

Requirements

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. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Complete a one-year SES probationary period (unless already completed). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) SECURITY CLEARANCE: You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. WRITING SAMPLE: A writing sample may be required. PRESENTATION: Applicants may be asked to prepare and present a presentation, provide a presentation on a scenario-based situation or a similar activity as a part of the applicant evaluation process.

Education

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/. OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

About this listing

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has 2 open listings on the site: all telework eligible. This one is telework eligible, based in Washington, District of Columbia. See all National Highway Traffic Safety Administration listings, or read what fully remote and telework eligible mean.

Advertised pay is $151,661 to $218,800 a year.

This announcement is open for 14 days, from Sep 29, 2026 to Oct 13, 2026. Among currently open Program Management postings, the typical advertised window is about 14 days. As of Oct 6, 2026, it closes in 7 days.

Who can apply: the public (U.S. citizens), plus Senior Executive Service candidates. The announcement's "This job is open to" section has the exact eligibility rules.

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