Highway Safety Specialist (Federal Programs)

This position is located within a Field Division Office of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

As a Highway Safety Specialist (Federal Program Specialist), you will:

• Assist and act for the Division Administrator in the day-to-day operation of the Federal program activities.
• Perform complex compliance reviews, and when violations are so serious, must develop and prepare an enforcement case, such cases can involve large international motor carrier companies, complex hazardous material regulations and/or utilization of complex investigative techniques, including those investigations where the US DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG) has requested assistance.
• Conduct hazardous material incident reviews and crash prevention reviews on medium and large motor carriers to identify safety problems and recommend countermeasures to reduce crashes and/or hazardous material incidents.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement/compliance activities of Safety Investigators (SI) in the Division and State MCSAP personnel (where applicable). Provide operational guidance to state MCSAP personnel regarding roadside inspection and CR’s/enforcement activities; reports and makes recommendations to the Division Administrator about the enforcement and compliance program activities.

The Ideal Candidate is a mission focused highway safety professional with knowledge of highway safety programs including road safety. Demonstrated ability to relate to all types of personalities in challenging and, at times, contentious circumstances is essential to success. This is a good position for a person who wants to be challenged, who possesses leadership skills, and who wants to advance within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The safety professional should be able to provide training to State Partners and division staff and provide extensive monitoring to the State and Federal Investigators.

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• 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.
• 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).
• DRUG TEST: Tentatively selected candidates are required to undergo urinalysis in accordance with DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace", which includes testing for marijuana. Marijuana is legal in some states, however it’s still illegal at the federal level. Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing. Failure or refusal to take a drug test may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service
• FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM: This position requires completion of OGE-450, Financial Disclosure Form

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 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11, it must include:

 Experince with laws, regulations, precedent decisions, interpretations, and critical issues related to motor carrier safety and the federal compliance enforcement program, including those concerned with the transportation and handling of hazardous materials.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

• Experience in reviewing and evaluating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Programs for compliance with regulations, policies, and /or guidelines, including those concerned with the transportation and handling of hazardous materials.

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:

• Administrative Law - Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
• Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.
• Team Building - Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
• Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

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.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.