Duties
As a Supervisory Transportation Specialist (Vetting Division Chief), you will:
- Plans, implements, manages, and administers the work responsibilities and assignments of Division personnel; assigns and prioritizes investigations and carries out human resource management within the Division and provides mentoring, guidance, and direction to investigators. Provides technical direction, supervision, management, and extensive coordination of the Division of Vetting’s program operations.
- Provides expert direction in the vetting functions; and identifies key issues, initiates, and follows through with special MC-RS analysis, process improvements, and project initiatives. Determines the scope of projects, assigns work to staff members, coordinating and assuring compliance with completion dates, and revising work procedures for conformance to governing laws, policies, and standards.
- Manages a multi-faceted vetting process that allows for real time access of the key operational data and metrics of the vetting program that includes critical legal procedures and IT responsibilities. Management responsibilities also include adherence to legal requirements and procedures; and the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of high-quality data that supports the registration system, customer information needs, and FMCSA’s safety mission, goal, and strategic plans.
- Conducts quality control studies of the vetting data that includes quality control measures on all data systems. Assures that FMCSA safety program needs and priorities are reflected in the information systems requirements. Determines program goals and develops strategic and tactical plans for the Division independently or jointly with higher management.
- Provides guidance and develops strategies to ensure efficient vetting processes are implemented accurately; to assist with major investigations; and determine options to supplement enforcement efforts. Works with other Divisions and teams in the Agency to coordinate and integrate the commercial regulations into daily vetting processes and procedures.
The ideal candidate is an experienced transportation leader capable of providing leadership, expertise, and strategic vision to the Division of Vetting and the Office of Registration within FMCSA. Applicants must possess effective oral and written skills, researching skills, and be capable of paying attention to details involved in the reviewing, analyzing, and processing of registration applications. The Candidate’s primary responsibility is to expertly develop, manage, and administer programs to promote compliance by motor carriers, freight forwarders, and property brokers with vetting requirements.
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/SME will be used to fill this position
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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.
- 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.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
- 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).
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
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:
- Experience implementing the rules and regulations governing vetting processes, registration processes, enforcement and compliance policies and practices regarding the motor carrier, freight forwarder, and broker industries.
- Experience in conducting research, studies, and applying analytical, fact-finding, and problem-solving techniques to facilitate meaningful evaluation of cost and program effectiveness, and alternative approaches to attain achievement in program objectives.
- Experience communicating orally and in writing to prepare reports, communicate technical information, and respond to requests from the public, department leadership, Congress, and/or other agencies.
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This announcement has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR).
- Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled.
PLEASE refer to the Education Requirements section of the announcement to review requirements for the education portion of this series.
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:
- Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
- Risk Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and
their consequences.
- Information Management: Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information
management systems.
- Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgement to generate and evaluate
alternatives, and to make recommendations.
- Written Communication: 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.
Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.
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
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.
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.
For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.
Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including 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. 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 standards for this vacancy 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.
Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.
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.