Transportation Specialist Job

Vacancy No. FMCSA.R-2026-0001 Department Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Salary $89,508.00 to $134,195.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/6/2026 Close Date 7/21/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Montgomery, ALLittle Rock, ARPhoenix, AZSacramento, CA
Lakewood, COHartford, CTWashington, DCDover, DE
Tallahassee, FLAtlanta, GAAmes, IABoise, ID
Des Plaines, ILSpringfield, ILIndianapolis, INTopeka, KS
Frankfort, KYBaton Rouge, LACambridge, MABaltimore, MD
Augusta, MELansing, MISaint Paul, MNJefferson City, MO
Jackson, MSRaleigh, NCBismarck, NDLincoln, NE
Concord, NHPrinceton, NJAlbuquerque, NMCarson City, NV
Albany, NYColumbus, OHNew Cumberland, PANashville, TN
Austin, TXSalt Lake City, UTRichmond, VAMontpelier, VT
Madison, WICharleston, WV


Transportation Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Summary

Positions are in Division of Financial Responsibility Filings, Office of Registration, in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This office delivers high quality customer service to all companies required to register with FMCSA to receive a USDOT, operating authority, or other FMCSA registration. Work to ensure motor carriers, freight forwarders and brokers comply with applicable FMCSA regulations including financial responsibility filings and process agent designation requirements.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

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 Many', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

As a Transportation Specialist, you will:

  • Provide expertise and assist in policy formulation, problem solving, development, promotion, and demonstration of state-of-the-art practices on a wide range of Transportation programs.
  • Conduct and participate in complex program reviews to evaluate and determine the extent of efficiency, effectiveness, and economy with which Transportation programs and administrative operations are carried out in conjunction with the agency’s mission and policies. Develop plans, goals, and oversees the implementation of systems and procedural changes specifically in the areas of BOC3/Process Agents designations
    and/or filing of financial responsibility.
  • Serve as the point of contact for all congressional inquiries, customers, headquarters and field staff, and other miscellaneous requests for information. Coordinate with appropriate staff to draft responses, review, finalize and distribute correspondence.
  • Provide expertise, training, and presentations to stakeholders in developing plans, goals, objectives for implementing deliverables for assigned Transportation programs.
  • Develop policies and procedures on financial responsibility filings and process agent designation regulations to ensure that FMCSA has comprehensive compliance with regulations and enforcement requirements.
  • Resolve FMSCA and trucking industry stakeholder issues by proposing (Motus) system enhancements, researching and/or proposing regulations, and advising insurance companies, financial institutions, brokers, freight forwarders, and/or motor carriers on applicable filings.

The ideal candidate is a mid-career transportation professional capable of providing effective customer service support to motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, cargo tank facilities, intermodal equipment providers, insurance companies, financial institutions, process agents and members of the general public regarding their registration with FMCSA. Applicants must possess effective oral and written skills, research skills, and be capable of paying attention to details involved in the reviewing, analyzing, and processing of applications.

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).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) and the specialized experience requirements.

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):

  • Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled.

In addition to meeting the IOR requirement for this position, to qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11, it must include:

  • Experience in providing oversight, guidance, and/or analysis regarding financial responsibility filings such as financial institutions that issue trust fund agreements and/or Insurance Companies that issue surety bonds or commercial insurance policies and/or designation of process agents (Form BOC-3); or
  • Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, policies, or procedures in order to aid in motor carrier transportation (specifically safety or registration); or
  • Experience in developing and documenting business or information system requirements, conducting user acceptance testing (UAT) to validate system functionality, or providing customer service on how to use an information system (specifically transportation registration systems such as the USDOT Registration System: Motus).

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. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
  2. Manages and Organizes Information - Identifies a need; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; determines its importance and accuracy and communicates it by a variety of methods.
  3. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgement to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
  4. 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.

(Check the Qualifications section for other ways to meet the IOR for this series)

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 

Duty location for this position will be determined upon selection.

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

TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED if there is a stated education requirement for the series OR if you are substituting education for experience.  The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. 

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.

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, FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

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.

Additional locations

Lakewood, CO
Hartford, CT
Washington, DC
Dover, DE
Tallahassee, FL
Atlanta, GA
Ames, IA
Boise, ID
Des Plaines, IL
Springfield, IL
Indianapolis, IN
Topeka, KS
Frankfort, KY
Baton Rouge, LA
Cambridge, MA
Baltimore, MD
Augusta, ME
Lansing, MI
Saint Paul, MN
Jefferson City, MO
Jackson, MS
Raleigh, NC
Bismarck, ND
Lincoln, NE
Concord, NH
Princeton, NJ
Albuquerque, NM
Carson City, NV
Albany, NY
Columbus, OH
New Cumberland, PA
Nashville, TN
Austin, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
Richmond, VA
Montpelier, VT
Madison, WI
Charleston, WV

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is focused on what matters most: prioritizing the safety of our transportation systems, modernizing our aging infrastructure, unleashing American innovation, and maximizing efficiency by removing bureaucratic red tape. We are looking for mission-driven professionals ready to deliver real results with discipline, urgency, and accountability to support American families, workers, and businesses.

As we usher in a Golden Age of Transportation, DOT values a results-oriented, high-performing workforce dedicated to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and a safe, collaborative environment. If you want to build big, beautiful infrastructure, scale transformative technologies, and achieve results that will serve our nation for generations to come, please consider joining the DOT family.

Did You Know? The Department of Transportation is consistently ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government!

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
TRANSJOBS@dot.gov
Address
DOT, FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States