Supervisory Program Manager- BIL DIRECT HIRE Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OST.DH-2025-0010 Department Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Salary $167,603.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/10/2025 Close Date 1/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Highly Automated Systems Safety (HASS) Center of Excellence’s (COE) function is to provide Executive Branch, U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT), Congress, State & local governments, industry, academia, & the public with expertise in transportation automation & related technologies, & workforce capable of performing DOT’s mission related to transportation automation systems, to include reviewing, assessing, & validating the safety of highly automated systems across all modes of transportation.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

As a Supervisory Program Manager , you will:

  • Responsible for overseeing and organizing the technical activities of the center. In this role, the incumbent supervises and directs technical teams, ensuring that tasks are executed effectively, efforts are well-coordinated, and project outcomes are synthesized into comprehensive reports with actionable recommendations.
  • Ensures the successful integration, testing, interoperability, and quality assurance of highly automated systems, while addressing and resolving complex issues related to system interfaces and integration challenges.
  • Assesses and validates new technologies and state-of-the-art equipment for existing systems, devising innovative strategies to address unique integration challenges and manages critical systems engineering efforts for operational and integration systems within the HASS and lead the tactical implementation of the center's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with the broader organizational goals. As a thought leader, the incumbent plays a pivotal role in advocating for the safe and responsible deployment of highly automated systems within the national transportation system.
  • Provides advanced technical insights and support the Director of HASS in guiding automation technologies across all transportation modes. Conceives, plans, and leads technical research projects that are aligned with the mission of the HASS. Identifies gaps and opportunities in technology, tools, and expertise that enhance the Department's ability to assess and validate the safety of highly automated systems.
  • Oversees the HASS COE's processes for technical evaluations, research analysis, and validation, including the development of tests and procedures. Moreover, they collaborate closely with DOT Operating Administrations, contributing to the department's efforts in systems safety, technical standards, and the assessment of emerging technologies.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in one or more technology fields central to highly automated systems, particularly those related to transportation safety. These fields may include computer science, sensor performance, human factors, autonomy stack design and integration, validation and testing, safety assurance, cybersecurity, data science, communications, and interoperability. The candidate should be skilled at addressing complex, multifaceted research challenges, often under tight deadlines and conditions of uncertainty. They must be capable of clearly and succinctly communicating complex technical information to nontechnical audiences, including senior officials, and excel in a dynamic, flexible work environment. A passion for innovative technology and public safety through responsible development, testing, and deployment is essential. The candidate will be responsible for supervising and leading teams of technical experts in emerging and advanced transportation automation technologies, ensuring that efforts are aligned with the Department's mission to enhance safety in transportation systems.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • 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.
  • 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).
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
  • POSITION SENSITIVITY AND RISK: Varies by position and will be based on the position to which appointed.
  • SECURITY CLEARANCE: Varies by position. If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed.
  • DRUG TESTING: Varies by position. Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions will be required to complete testing prior to appointment or placement.
  • FAC-COR Level III: Must be able to obtain and maintain the Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR) Certification Level 3.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications.

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

  • Providing technical/scientific insight in the area of transportation automation and/or related domains to decision-makers, policy-makers, and/or executives.
  • Conceiving, planning, and leading technical research projects pertaining to transportation automation and/or related domains.
  • Providing insight, information, data and recommendations related to at least one emerging technology enabling transportation automation (including but not limited to: artificial intelligence, machine learning, human factors, computer science, data science, sensors, software assurance, passive and active automation capabilities, passive and active automation safety functions, modeling and simulation, test and validation).
  • Delivering advanced technical insights and support to guide automation technologies across multiple transportation modes, enhancing public understanding and confidence in the functions and capabilities of automated transportation systems.

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:

  1. Technical Knowledge - Knowledge in the technical domains critical for highly-automated systems in emerging transportation technologies, understanding of application, and the relationship between intelligent machines and human factors.
  2. Program Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for the coordinated management of an IT program to include providing oversight of multiple technical research projects, integrating dependent schedules and deliverables, and related activities (for example, benefits management, life cycle management, program governance).
  3. 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.

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.

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

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.

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.

Review our benefits

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.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

All applicants:  For this announcement, applicants may be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational requirements.  Applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications may be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants will not be rated or ranked.  Veteran’s Preference does NOT apply.

Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. 


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

RESUME: – Your resume MUST contain specific information used to make a qualification determination that includes 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. Formatted resumes may be uploaded later in the application process. 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 well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 80) 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.

Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration.  

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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:  Transjobs@dot.gov

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
TRANSJOBS@dot.gov
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

You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com (Select "My USAJobs" and click "Applications".  Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist may evaluate your application. If evaluated, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.  If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly.  Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.


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


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