Associate Administrator for Program Management

Summary Under the broad policy guidance of the Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), serves as the Associate Administrator for Program Management. Administers a national program of transit assistance exceeding $21 billion dollars annually, by managing financial and technical resources, and directing program implementation through the Regional Offices. Learn more about this agency Duties The Associate Administrator for Program Management: Manages statutory formula and discretionary financial assistance programs, the guidance and data to support these programs, engineering and contractor resources to provide oversight to one of the largest discretionary capital construction programs in the Federal government, and FTA emergency response provisions of the Federal transit law. Provides technical assistance, guidance, and/or oversight for FTA assistance programs to approximately 4000 local, state and other public organizations funded by 49 U.S.C., Chapter 53 programs that develop, acquire, construct, improve and operate facilities and equipment for urban and rural public transportation services.  Serves as the key official for allocation of funds for transit assistance; development and dissemination of program guidance; and assurance of appropriate Federal transit assistance grant oversight. Recommends to the Administrator legislative changes, strategic and program plan revisions and project approval/disapproval actions to enhance the effectiveness and integrity of Federal public transportation programs. Serves as a principal adviser and consultant to the Administrator on all activities related to FTA efforts to improve public transportation and on the probable effects of proposed capital assistance projects.  Prepares resource allocation plans and develops forecasts of demand for delegated programs. Determines the merits of discarding or extending established practices and procedures. Reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of delegated programs in relationship to FTA programs. Ensures that delegated transit assistance programs are coordinated with intermodal planning processes and programs and activities of the FTA Office of Planning and Environment. Provides program formulation, implementation, and resource management reporting activities of public transit assistance programs; and provides for the overall management of State administered programs. Provides guidance on transit assistance grant programs; reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations on national issues relative to grant programs and is system owner of the agency's grant making/management system. Maintains public confidence in the integrity of federal public transportation grant assistance programs, and protects public investment in public transportation by ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements administered by FTA and recovering federal transit resources as appropriate. Directs the FTA engineering support [project management oversight (PMO)] activities in providing engineering guidance and technical support on Federally funded mass transit projects totaling over $160 Billion. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. Provide all required documents by closing date. 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. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Complete a one-year SES probationary period (unless already completed). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) SECURITY CLEARANCE: You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. WRITING SAMPLE: A writing sample may be required. Qualifications Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.TQ 1. Experience which demonstrates knowledge of management principles, practices, methods, techniques and skill in managing and coordinating the activities of a multidisciplinary staff which compares to managing engineers, professional, technical, and administrative staff who provide assistance, development and dissemination of program guidance, standard operating procedures, and oversight.   TQ 2. Demonstrated leadership in design and execution of program development and management strategies in the transportation (or comparable) industry.  Specifically, this addresses knowledge of and the ability to identify and analyze recipient and program needs, as well as proven ability to develop effective strategies for meeting those needs in collaboration with Federal, state and local government agencies, service providers, private industry, and public interest and advocacy groups. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding – This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency -This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM’s SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)" Education If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional information Veterans Preference: Veterans’ preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Tiering: The Department/Agency structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfmEmployment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to 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 $315 of mass transit commuting costs each month. 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. 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. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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 11 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 parentFederal 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 Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.