Civil Engineer (Operations Program Specialist) at U.S. Department of Transportation
Nashville, TN 37217
About the Job
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. 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. This position is not in the Bargaining unit.
Duties
As a Civil Engineer (Operations Program Specialist), you will:
- Provide advice and guidance on Federal laws, regulations, and FHWA policies applicable to Federal-aid projects within the State DOT project development process, in meetings, telephone contacts, public hearings, field reviews, and visits with State DOT officials and other Federal, State, and local agencies for assigned program areas and in assisting in the implementation of leadership initiatives.
- Serve as the Division office expert and technical specialist for all traffic operations and congestion management-related projects and programs on a statewide basis. Provides technical assistance and program guidance to the State and cities in the development of their Freeway Management Systems.
- Assist Division Office Area Engineers with the traffic operational analysis of interchange justifications/modifications (IJR's/IMR's) and intersections using traffic analysis and/or simulation programs.
- Serve as Division Office specialist relative to capacity analysis and traffic modeling techniques using software such as Highway Capacity Software (HCS), CORSIM, and other traffic analysis or simulation programs.
- Review and provide recommendations on preliminary and final designs and specifications pertaining to traffic operations, ITS, and MUTCD aspects of projects.
The ideal candidate is a mid-career engineer who can administer, promote, evaluate, and coordinate ITS and Operations programs and initiatives. Also possess knowledge and experience in the planning, in conformance with State and Federal laws and regulations.
Qualifications
To meet the basic qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Mandatory Education Requirement for the series, AND (2) provide a copy of your transcripts or other applicable documentation for verification and (3) meet the specialized experience requirements for each grade you are applying to. Please review the following information before proceeding with the application process:
(1) All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) that included differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials; (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials; and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics;
OR
B. Combination of education or training: college level education, training and/or technical experience that has furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
- Professional registration or licensure - current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).
- Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
- Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences which included the courses as specified in Paragraph A above.
- Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. There should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. This must be clearly described in your resume.
For additional information, please refer to the OPM qualifications standard for GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf .
(2) Upload the appropriate document(s) to your application for verification purposes.
(3) Specialized Experience: To determine which grade(s) you may be eligible for, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked a few questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience in your resume.
For the GS-12: On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, which includes:
- Experience in planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads and bridges) in accordance with engineering design and construction standards, principles and methods; AND
- Experience in consultation with others, developing alternatives and helping to resolve engineering issues or conflicts that arise with processes or outcomes.
Although you must first meet the mandatory education requirement, you cannot qualify for GS-12 and above grades based on education, you must meet the specialized experience cited above.
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:
- Civil Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain facilities such as buildings, transportation systems, water and sanitary systems, and other public works systems.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices, and of equipment, tools, mechanical devices, and their uses to produce motion, light, power, technology, and other applications.
- Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
- Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
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.
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
See the Qualifications section for Mandatory Education Requirements.
How to Apply:
- Apply here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/785070900
- Or submit your resume directly to the Tennessee Division Office at : Tennessee.FHWA@dot.gov
- Please include the Subject line, “Attention: Civil Engineer (Operations Program Specialist)”
- If you are a federal applicant, you must include SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant.
- Do not submit an award SF-50 as these do not verify grade or eligibility.
- For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks before the announcement closure. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.