ACIO for Innovation and Emerging Technology/Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OST.SES-2025-0004 Department Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Salary $147,649.00 to $213,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/4/2024 Close Date 1/3/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Under the general direction of the Deputy Chief Information Officer, the Associate Chief Information Officer (ACIO) Innovation and Emerging Technology/ Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) leads the Office and advises the DOT CIO on the Department’s use of AI, promoting AI innovation in the Department, and managing risks from the Department’s use of AI as well as other emerging technologies.

Duties

The ACIO for Innovation and Emerging Technologies / CAIO builds a collaborative governance environment that ensures the Department’s use of AI implements Executive Branch principles governing use of AI in government, providing advice and oversight to the Department of Transportation’s AI innovation initiatives.
The ACIO for Innovation and Emerging Technologies / CAIO is well versed in all facets of AI strategy, governance, AI solution development, and AI program management and is a visionary transportation leader, understanding the interactions of AI, emerging technologies, and transportation systems. The incumbent will have excellent interpersonal skills that drive unified strategies; the ability to make data-driven decisions; and the ability to drive large, highly complex initiatives; and will provide AI and emerging technology advice and guidance across the Department. The CAIO will support and lead responsible and trustworthy application of AI and emerging technologies for Departmental use that makes sure “our Nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world.”

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • 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.
  • A Top Secret security clearance is required.

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.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must clearly articulate and describe within your five (5) page resume evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity.  Your resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of this position and meet the mandatory Technical Qualification(s) and Managerial Executive Core Qualifications listed below.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Below are the descriptions of the mandatory technical qualifications for this position. Your five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet these technical qualifications. 

  • Demonstrates level of experience and demonstrated knowledge overseeing and coordinating efforts of an artificial intelligence program or innovative information technology program for an organization, including assessing appropriate risk management considerations; and building secure, innovative, and ethical artificial intelligence use cases.
  • Demonstrates experience overseeing process improvement, strategic planning, project management, and change management techniques for an artificial intelligence program; to include success in advocating for and introducing artificial intelligence and innovation; and enabling roles and technology platforms in an organization.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Below are descriptions of the mandatory ECQs that are required for all SES positions. Your  five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the 5 ECQs.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional 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 - 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.

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, FairChanceAct@dot.gov.

To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation 

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 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

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A Senior Executive Service (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 multiple interviews.  The best qualified applicant will be asked to submit a written 10-page 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.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

The following documents must be provided by the closing date:

  • RESUME - You must submit a resume which should not exceed five (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrate you possess the technical qualifications and the 5 ECQs. Include name on each page. No photos allowed.
  • SF-50 - Current & former federal employees should submit an SF-50 which shows your eligibility status.  We recommend submitting your current SF-50 or most recent SF-50.  DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify eligibility. 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.

How to Apply

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME ONLY. Your five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the 5 ECQs.  Your resume must not exceed 5 pages; all other pages WILL NOT be considered.

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. https://help.usajobs.gov/

  • Upload your five (5) page 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 Transjobs@dot.gov.

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Address
DOT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Learn more about this agency

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.