Transportation Specialist - ADL-DIRECT HIRE
What you'd do
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.
Major duties
As a Transportation Specialist, you will: Assist in the analysis of applications, provide 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. Assist in the drafting internal grant policies and procedures for designated departments and provide assistance under the grants assistance programs. 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. This announcement is being advertised under the FHWA's Alternative Duty Location (ADL) Program and can be filled in any one of the approved ADL locations listed on this announcement, as space allows for each location. It is possible to select a location that no longer has space available, and in that instance, the selecting office will not be able to move forward with placement. PLEASE NOTE: Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay for the specific area. Under this program, relocation assistance is not available to applicants residing in any one of the ADL locations advertised in this announcement. Employees who are not eligible for relocation because they reside in one of the advertised locations may apply for positions in other advertised duty locations; however, if selected, they must move themselves to the locations at their own expense. Positions under the ADL program have several unique requirements, such as remote supervision, the required signing of an ADL agreement, and possibility of increased travel. Applicants are responsible for selecting the locations in which they want to be considered. Applicants will be considered based on their qualifications for the position as represented in their application for the position.
What you need to qualify
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) and the specialized experience requirements. Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. 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 analyzing and evaluating complex grant applications or financial assistance requests to ensure compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and program requirements, and developing funding recommendations. Experience providing technical guidance and assistance to stakeholders on establishment, management, and close-out of grants or cooperative agreements, including monitoring compliance and interpreting policies. Experience performing grant monitoring activities, including reviewing recipient reports and disbursement requests, and maintaining grant tracking systems or databases to support management reporting and file maintenance. 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 applying automated grant management and budgetary systems to resolve issues, develop and analyze reports, manage grant resources and develop recommendations for systems and/or business process changes. Experience in preparing and applying federal financial assistance (grant and cooperative agreement) legislation, regulations, policies, and processes to organization-wide policy and guidance. Experience in the full life-cycle administration of complex federal grants or cooperative agreements, communicating agency policy, orally and in writing, including analyzing applications for compliance, performing post-award monitoring, resolving issues related to fund obligations or program requirements, and initiating grant closure actions. 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: Grants Management: Knowledge of requirements, practices, and procedures for soliciting, receiving, reviewing, and processing proposals, and awarding and administering grants and agreements. Oral/Written Communication: Skill in oral and written communications, including communications at the senior executive level. Grants Management Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines: Knowledge of principles, laws, regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines (for example, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB circulars) of grant or agreement programs, including their order of precedence. Technical Competence: Knowledge of (and experience with) transportation issues, FHWA, and the Federal- aid Highway Program; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. 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.
Before you apply
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