Supervisory Transportation Program Specialist - DIRECT HIRE
About This Position
This position is in the Office of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region 5 located in Chicago, IL. You will serve as the Deputy Regional Administrator under the supervision of the Regional Administrator.
Qualifications
This announcement has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. PLEASE refer to the Education Requirements section of the announcement to review requirements for the education portion of this series.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must also meet the specialized experience requirements. To qualify for Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience leading, managing, and supervising staff responsible for program, operations, and project delivery, and providing guidance related to policy and program requirements and creating innovative solutions to improve practices and processes. Experience interpreting, developing, and implementing rules, regulations, and policy to ensure compliance as well as negotiating program, policy, and project issues.
Experience with planning, managing and overseeing agency initiatives, contracting procedures and a working knowledge of contract Law as well as the Federal Transit Act. 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: Written and Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Strategic Thinking - Formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization in a global economy. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective.
Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities. Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. Transportation Program Management - Comprehensive knowledge of the role that the FTA and the federal government (including OMB, Treasury, GSA, and OPM) play in funding transportation programs nationwide; roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local transportation partners.
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.
Major Duties
As a Supervisory Transportation Program Specialist, you will: Directs the management of Federal-aid planning, capital and operating grants, assuring that projects are initiated and implemented based upon the consideration of environmental, engineering, economic, social and technological factors, as well as grantee experience. Assures all significant actions involving project development and application follow all policies. Recommends FTA project financing approval or disapproval.
Provides executive direction for the project planning and management programs and for oversight and guidance in the management of FTA grants. Ensures the timely performance of project activities. Provides direction for the accomplishment of civil rights and legal actions consistent with delegations of authority.
Supervises regional administrative, planning, financial, and oversight staff. Directs the management of regional resources, the establishment of policies and goals for management services and support, including training, budget formulation and administration, financial management audit, and general administrative activities. Represents the interest of the Regional Office in all administrative and personnel matters.
The ideal candidate for this position is a senior-level professional and has experience managing cross-disciplined teams and large complex transportation projects, with significant knowledge of the transportation industry. The candidate must have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to convey ideas and make recommendations to senior internal and external stakeholders. The candidate must have a strong work ethic and be resilient in high-pressure and changing environments.
Conditions of Employment
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.
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).
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
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Additional 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
How to Apply
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: [email protected]
Required Documents
RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.
Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience.
For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the standards for this vacancy and provide all of the following documents: your most recent performance appraisal, the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade. Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USA Jobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.
You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.