Department of Transportation

Associate Administrator for Program Management

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Associate Administrator for Program Management

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $151661 - $227999 Per Year

Job Summary: Under the broad policy guidance of the Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), serves as the Associate Administrator for Program Management. Administers a national program of transit assistance exceeding $21 billion dollars annually, by managing financial and technical resources, and directing program implementation through the Regional Offices.

Major Duties:

  • The Associate Administrator for Program Management: Manages statutory formula and discretionary financial assistance programs, the guidance and data to support these programs, engineering and contractor resources to provide oversight to one of the largest discretionary capital construction programs in the Federal government, and FTA emergency response provisions of the Federal transit law. Provides technical assistance, guidance, and/or oversight for FTA assistance programs to approximately 4000 local, state and other public organizations funded by 49 U.S.C., Chapter 53 programs that develop, acquire, construct, improve and operate facilities and equipment for urban and rural public transportation services. Serves as the key official for allocation of funds for transit assistance; development and dissemination of program guidance; and assurance of appropriate Federal transit assistance grant oversight. Recommends to the Administrator legislative changes, strategic and program plan revisions and project approval/disapproval actions to enhance the effectiveness and integrity of Federal public transportation programs. Serves as a principal adviser and consultant to the Administrator on all activities related to FTA efforts to improve public transportation and on the probable effects of proposed capital assistance projects. Prepares resource allocation plans and develops forecasts of demand for delegated programs. Determines the merits of discarding or extending established practices and procedures. Reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of delegated programs in relationship to FTA programs. Ensures that delegated transit assistance programs are coordinated with intermodal planning processes and programs and activities of the FTA Office of Planning and Environment. Provides program formulation, implementation, and resource management reporting activities of public transit assistance programs; and provides for the overall management of State administered programs. Provides guidance on transit assistance grant programs; reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations on national issues relative to grant programs and is system owner of the agency's grant making/management system. Maintains public confidence in the integrity of federal public transportation grant assistance programs, and protects public investment in public transportation by ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements administered by FTA and recovering federal transit resources as appropriate. Directs the FTA engineering support [project management oversight (PMO)] activities in providing engineering guidance and technical support on Federally funded mass transit projects totaling over $160 Billion.

Qualifications: 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1. Experience which demonstrates knowledge of management principles, practices, methods, techniques and skill in managing and coordinating the activities of a multidisciplinary staff which compares to managing engineers, professional, technical, and administrative staff who provide assistance, development and dissemination of program guidance, standard operating procedures, and oversight. TQ 2. Demonstrated leadership in design and execution of program development and management strategies in the transportation (or comparable) industry. Specifically, this addresses knowledge of and the ability to identify and analyze recipient and program needs, as well as proven ability to develop effective strategies for meeting those needs in collaboration with Federal, state and local government agencies, service providers, private industry, and public interest and advocacy groups. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding – This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency -This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the “Include Personal Information” section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-12