Department of Transportation

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $151661 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy is the office responsible for recommending transportation policy initiatives to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary. In addition, the office coordinates initiatives that cut across all modes of transportation. The office coordinates and works with all Offices in the development of the Department's research agenda to ensure that it is consistent with the Secretary's policy.

Major Duties:

  • The position focuses on policy development, strategic planning, and performance with a particular focus on infrastructure, safety, permitting economic opportunity and issues affecting all aspects of transportation. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy is the office responsible for recommending transportation policy initiatives to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary. In addition, the office coordinates initiatives that cuts across modes. The office coordinates and works with all Offices in the development of the Department's policy agenda to ensure that it is consistent with the Secretary's policy priorities. The Deputy Assistant Secretary furnishes advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary and exercises management oversight of the Offices of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, and the policy making activities of the Department's Modal Administrations. This position is critical in the structure of Office of the Secretary of Transportation Policy and fosters the formulation and recommendations on important policy agenda items. This position will supervise and provide leadership direction to 4 subordinate Senior Executive Service (SES) positions, federal employees and contractors. This position directly supervises the following SES positions: The Director, Office of Policy Coordination & Development, Chief Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist, Director, Office of Environment & Permitting, and The Director, Office of Infrastructure Deployment. This is a career reserve SES position. This position requires a Top-Secret Clearance.

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. Demonstrated executive level experience with U.S. transportation programs and policies, including: applicable statutes and regulations; relevant transportation issues; and relevant Congressional committees and procedures and executive level experience working with transportation-related organizations and determining how the implications of their activities might affect Departmental initiatives and working to ensure maximum benefit. TQ 2. Demonstrated executive level experience managing complex programs and support activities, including personnel and budget functions, ensuring linkages between established policy objectives, strategic planning, safety and innovation in addition to coordinating research and technology programs, and data. 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: 2026-05-18