About

Overview

Hiring Path:

• Open to the public
• Senior Executives

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

This job is open to U.S. Citizens.

Security Clearance Required:

Secret

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:

Career

Marketing Statement:

Come on board with us and take a journey that will challenge your mind and develop your career. The quality of our lives, the shape of our communities and the productivity of our Nation's economy depend on our transportation systems. We recognize and value the importance of our workforce and the diversity of backgrounds and ideas that each employee brings. The U.S. Department of Transportation: Careers in Motion.

Summary:

Position Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary, within the Office of the Under Secretary for Transportation Policy. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, the incumbent provides executive advice and support for day-to-day operation of the organization. In addition, the incumbent coordinates recommendations affecting policy and program issues requiring decisions by the Under Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation.  

Supervisory Position:

Yes

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

Yes

Relocation may be authorized.

Travel Required:

Occasional Travel

Requires occasional travel.

Duties

The Deputy Assistant Secretary serves as principal advisor to the Under Secretary on policy and program activities for the Department.  In addition, the incumbent will be the policy liaison with the Operating Administrations and with representatives of the White House, Congress, foreign governments and other Federal agencies. The incumbent also identifies problem areas in the domestic transportation field and participates in preparation of the Department’s legislative program.

• Responsible for formulating and coordinating recommendations affecting day-to-day policy issues and program decisions. Participates in long-range planning and conceptualization of programs and objectives. Initiates actions required to implement and manage approved program plans leading to the development of Departmental policy recommendations and positions.


• Contributes to the management and oversight of personnel, activities and operations of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy.


• Participates in preparation of the Department’s legislative program and the systematic definition of its policy objectives, programs and plans. Provides the overall coordination and supervision to various offices performing the detailed work required to develop such policies, programs and plans.


• Identifies problem areas in the domestic transportation field and provides day-to-day direction and supervision of the staff work necessary to provide the solutions to such problems within the purview of the Department’s mission.


• Participates in the review of the effectiveness and progress of the Department’s policies, plans and programs, and develops such recommendations as may be necessary.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Complete a one-year SES probationary period (unless already completed).


• FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Complete a Public Financial Disclosure report, OGE-278. You will need to provide the information annually.


• DRUG TESTING: Drug testing is required for this position. 

Key Requirements:

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

Provide all required documents by closing date.

Secret clearance is required.

Education Requirements:

Evaluations:

An SES reviewing panel will evaluate your application based on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Applicants determined to be highly qualified may undergo an interview and a reference check. If you are contacted for a second-round interview, you may be asked to submit a written narrative statement addressing each of the ECQ areas (Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, Building Coalitions). If selected, your written narrative statement addressing the ECQs must be certified by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB), unless you are a current SES executive or have successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program. You must receive certification before you can be appointed to the position.

All applications must be completed and submitted electronically no later than midnight ET of the closing date. Final reviews will be performed after the announcement closing, and timely notice of the status of your application will be emailed to you. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and selecting Application Status.

Qualifications:

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must clearly articulate and describe within your resume  evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity. The experience must have been sufficiently responsible to show clearly your ability to perform the duties of this position and meet the mandatory Technical Qualifications and Managerial Executive Core Qualifications listed below.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Below is the description of the technical qualifications that must be clearly evident in your resume.

1. Demonstrated knowledge of and executive level experience with surface transportation policy development and/or execution.

2. Demonstrated ability to provide professional advice and counsel to top Government and Transportation Industry officials, Congress, Executive Branch agencies, and key White House staff on the development, analysis and articulation of new and revised policies and services in the areas of transportation policy.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Below are descriptions of the ECQs that must be clearly evident in your resume.

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision
ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building
ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility
ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management
ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating
 
FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.

Additional information about the SES and Executive Core Qualifications can be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) SES Website.


You are strongly encouraged to review OPMs Guide to SES Qualifications for specific examples and guidance on writing effective ECQ narrative statements and executive resumes.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits:

Our benefits package offers:
Annual Leave (paid vacation), Sick Leave, and Holidays - You will earn 26 days of annual leave and 13 days of sick leave per year. In addition, the Federal Government observes 10 regular paid holidays each year.
Health Benefits - Employees and family members are eligible for health benefits at reasonable rates with no required medical examinations or restrictions because of age or physical condition. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - You may choose to participate in the FSA Program. This program allows you to set aside money, on a pre-tax basis, for certain kinds of out of pocket medical expenses or dependent care costs of a child or parent
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program - You may elect to participate in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.
Life Insurance - You may participate in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance program. The program offers employees an opportunity to acquire life insurance protection at group rates with a government contribution toward the cost of basic insurance.

For more details on the various health and life insurance benefits offered to most Federal Employees click here

Other Information:

Retirement/Pension Plan - You will be covered by a defined benefit, contributory Federal retirement system that provides benefits for both normal retirement (with as few as 5 years of civilian service) and for circumstances that might occur earlier, such involuntary retirement because of disability.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) - You may participate in a retirement savings investment plan that offers before-tax savings and tax-deferred investment earnings. For more details, please visit the TSP website
Employee Assistance - Employees and their immediate families can take advantage of free confidential counseling with health professionals as part of the Federal Employees Assistance Program.
Transit Benefits - We subsidize up to $255 of mass transit commuting costs each month.
Telework - Yes, but as determined by agency policy.
Information related to performance, suitability, and security will be verified.If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME ONLY. Within your resume, you should address all the ECQ's and the technical qualifications.

Application packages must be received online no later than 11:59pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.

If submitting a cover letter, it can only be one page in length; all other pages WILL NOT be considered.


To begin, click the Apply Online button on the job announcement posting.
Create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

• Upload your resume and supporting documents.

If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET) at (202) 366-1298. You may also email us at Transjobs@dot.gov.

Required Documents:

The following documents must be provided by the closing date:

• RESUME - You must submit a resume which cannot exceed five (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. The resume must provide evidence of how you possess the technical qualifications and the 5 ECQs. Include name on each page. No photos allowed.
• COVER LETTER – You should submit a one-page cover letter highlighting key experience and interest in the position advertised.
• SF-50 - Current & former federal employees should submit an SF-50 which shows your current (or most recent grade.)
  
  • Current Career Senior Executives and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of an SF-50 which shows career SES status
• CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CERTIFICATE - individuals who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program, submit a copy of your OPM certificate.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in your removal from consideration for this position.

Next Steps:

If you have opted to receive account status updates via USAJobs, you will receive online confirmation that your application package has been received. All applicants will receive a notification email of the final outcome regarding the hiring decision.