Transportation Specialist (Senior Advisor) - DIRECT HIRE

Transportation Specialist (Senior Advisor) - DIRECT HIRE

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $169279 - $197200 Per Year

Job Summary: The candidate will serve as the Senior Advisor to the Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs (HPL). The candidate will provide expert guidance to the Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs, HPL Office Directors, Team Leaders, and other staff.

Major Duties:

• As a Transportation Specialist (Senior Advisor), you will: Develop recommendations on program and policy issues that involve all areas under the responsibility of HPL, such as: transportation performance management, stewardship and oversight, bridges and structures, asset management, pavements and materials design, contract administration, and construction. Analyze proposals, formulate positions, and provide expert advice to HPL leadership and staff on existing and proposed legislation, regulations, and policies that may affect HPL program responsibilities. Advise HPL leadership team on actions to improve internal and external program operations as indicated by changes in legislation, regulation, and policy. Exercise managerial responsibility over HPL program activities to align with FHWA's Enterprise Risk Management and other FHWA leadership priorities. Advise internal and external partners, as well as senior leadership and decision makers on developing, communicating, and enhancing HPL programs. The ideal candidate for this Senior Advisor position is a technical and policy expert with transportation experience in legislative, policy, and budget coordination and formulation; regulation development and analysis; and program delivery and implementation oversight of new or modified programs.

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 experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience serving as the transportation technical expert and advisor on legislation, regulations and policies. Experience with collaborating with senior leadership and stakeholders on strategic initiatives and policy matters. Experience communicating agency policy, orally and in writing, to a wide variety of audiences. 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: Technical Competence: Knowledge of (and experience with) transportation issues, FHWA, and the Federal-aid Highway Program. Strategic Thinking: Skill in navigating competing interest and building coalitions to move strategic policy initiatives forward. Written/Oral Communication: Skill in oral and written communications, including communications at the senior executive level. Political Savvy: Skill in assessing political and institutional environments to evaluate policy alternatives and navigate complex organization interests for successful implementation. 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.

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

Application Deadline: 2026-05-05