Summary
This position is located in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Administration, Office of Competitive Grants and Workforce Development Program and is a key member of the Multimodal Competitive Grant Programs team. You will serve as an authority concerning the effects of congressional and executive branch proposals and activities on the Federal-aid highway program, and plays a key role in coordinating the Agency's efforts to reauthorize and implement Federal highway law.
Duties
As a Transportation Specialist, you will: Assist in the analysis of applications, provides advice and funding recommendations for the development and preparation of complex grants, specifically for a broad range of projects as well as a wide variety of applicants including state and local governments, government sponsored authorities and corporations, and joint ventures. Provide program staff, and other grantees with technical assistance, including the interpretation of and application of grant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in assigned areas. Evaluate recipients' disbursement requests and provide feedback to leadership on recommendations for approval or disapproval, using fact-finding and analytical techniques and methods used to gather, evaluate, and summarize information and draw conclusions The ideal candidate is a versatile professional with exceptional writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment. The ideal candidate brings a strong customer-service mindset alongside political and organizational savvy. Additionally, you should possess a solid understanding of the Federal-aid highway program and its governing laws, with proven experience managing Federal grants and cooperative agreements. Key to this role is the ability to effectively guide and support state, local, or recipient agencies through projects requiring substantial federal-level involvement and oversight.
Requirements
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. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
How you will be evaluated
DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position, must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position. Your application will be reviewed in two phases determine how you move forward in the hiring process. Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). You may preview questions for this vacancy.