Transportation Industry Analyst (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary

This position serves as a Transportation Industry Analyst in the Office of Railroad Development (RRD). This position will serve as Project Manager supporting high-profile project development and capital project delivery in the Office of Amtrak Oversight.

Duties

As a Transportation Industry Analyst, you will: ⁠Assessing the performance of passenger rail, Amtrak and freight rail service, including important, extensive, novel, and controversial issues. Promoting the stewardship of passenger and freight rail assets that are critical to Amtrak and other rail operations through the management of the Department's, including FRA, various financial assistance programs, and participation in planning activities for rail infrastructure improvement. Developing, analyzing, and preparing internal and external communications regarding rail policy, and legislative and budget proposals which may be vague, complex or uncommon. Providing technical assistance and support to high level officials at the federal, state, and local level, railroads, and other stakeholders in advancing high-performance passenger and freight rail policy objectives and plans. The ideal candidate for this position is a highly motivated mid-level transportation professional who can function independently and demonstrate leadership in team environments with a history of involvement in major project development and delivery. Candidates must have the skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences; organizational and management skills; and the ability to handle multiple competing priorities, issues, and projects simultaneously. Applicants must have strong analytical and communication skills with experience preparing briefing materials and with the ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and develop recommendations to present to a variety of audiences and knowledge in the areas of transportation, policy, operations, and stakeholder negotiations. The candidate should also possess an in-depth understanding of project development, management, and delivery, including the roles of planning, environmental clearance, and grants management. The candidate should have experience managing high-level high-profile stakeholder relationships and require little to no training in complex transportation policies and programs. 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. 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. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures 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 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: ⁠Experience fostering working relationships with contacts and staff members at all levels within/outside the organization. Experience performing analytical, evaluative, advisory, technical or comparable work, developing policy positions relating to multi-modal transportation AND articulating those policy positions before multilateral organizations, industry groups, and/or government officials as a regular and recurring part of your job with minimal supervision. Experience conducting program/project oversight and management of transportation programs and using project management methods to assist with the coordination of team or contractor activities to ensure steady work flow, maximum production, compliance with deadlines, and/or overall efficiency of operations. Experience providing technical guidance to support planning, design, and/or the construction of transportation systems, programs, or projects, such as operations analyses, engineering analyses, cost estimation, or financial analysis. 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: ⁠Customer Service (‡) - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Technical Credibility - Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise. Oral Communication (*) - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Written Communication - 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.

Education

Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position. or Experience General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that provided a knowledge of economic, statistical, financial, operational, or market data or information pertaining to the business practices, market structures and trends, or competitive relationships of commercial organizations. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience may have been gained with a carrier or shipper, carriers' or shippers' associations, transportation consulting organizations, State, local, or Federal regulatory bodies, or similar groups or organizations. Some positions may require specialized experience in a particular mode of transportation (e.g., air, railroad, motor carriers), or in a particular kind of traffic (e.g., passenger, freight), or both. 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. All applicants: 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. Other Information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED if there is a stated education requirement for the series OR if you are substituting education for experience. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.