Civil Engineer (Highway) - DIRECT HIRE

Duties As a Civil Engineer (Highway), you will: Serve as a key technical advisor in meetings, telephone contacts, public hearings, field reviews, and visits with State DOT officials and other Federal, State, and local agencies regarding assigned program areas and in assisting in the implementation of leadership initiatives.
Communicates and applies Federal laws, regulations, and FHWA policies applicable to Federal aid projects within the State DOT project development process.
Monitor highway and other infrastructure improvements to determine if they are constructed to a desired quality and whether Federal aid construction funds are being expended in a manner consistent with applicable Federal laws and regulations.
Participate in assessments of State programs for effectiveness and compliance.
Provide to partners recommendations for performance and operational improvements and guidance on corrective actions.
Assist in promoting and implementing new technology, new standards, and new policies and initiatives on Federal aid projects and programs.
Provide technical guidance and develop new approaches to solve emerging problems or to support evolving program activities, goals, and leadership initiatives.
Provide review of projects in accordance with the Division's risk-based stewardship and oversight plan.
This may include review of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for appropriate application of design standards and criteria, conformance with policy and regulations, eligibility for Federal participation, traffic safety features, reasonableness of estimated unit prices, fulfillment of requirements from the transportation planning and NEPA process, and proper standard, special specifications and contract provisions.
Participate in and contribute to Division program management activity including development of stewardship and oversight plans, conducting risk assessments, development of strategic operations and business plans, promotion of the implementation of a performance-based planning and programming process to partner agencies, and identification and tracking of performance measures and the associated reporting process.
The ideal candidate is a mid-career engineer with experience monitoring Federally funded grant programs and/or delivering grant projects from initial scoping through construction support and maintenance; and experience conveying ideas and concepts in meetings and discussions, and in writing.
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 will be used to fill this position CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: If you are not a current Federal employee, you will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required.
GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.
A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework.
The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance.
If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.
Qualifications To meet the basic qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Mandatory Education Requirement for the series, (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 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 or you may be deemed ineligible.
For the GS-11: On Experience, you must have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-09 grade levelwhich included: Experience in planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads, bridges, or appurtenant structures) in accordance with engineering design and construction standards, principles and methods.
Or on Education, you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.
D.
degree OR Ph.
D.
or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience.
This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
For the GS-12: On Experience, you must have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-11 grade levelwhich included: Experience in planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads, bridges, or appurtenant structures) 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 the GS-12 grade based on education, you must meet the specialized experience, which is cited above.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will also 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.
Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations.
Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
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.
Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply to the GS-11 grade based on education if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement.
If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date.
Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education See the Qualifications section for the mandatory education requirements for this series.
Additional information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.
Benefits 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, all applicants will be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational requirements.
Applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants will not be rated or ranked.
Veteran’s Preference does NOT apply.
DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.
WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume.
If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.
Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Benefits 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.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy.
TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED as there is a mandatory education requirement for the series, and also if you are applying based on education for the GS-11 grade.
The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.
S.
education program.
For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
If you are qualifying based on possessing a current Professional Engineer (PE) license, or passing the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, please provide a copy of the PE license or written document showing proof of passing the EIT.
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration.
For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85 or falling in the Gold Category) 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.
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://my.
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 HIGHWAY 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").
A Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application either during the early consideration request(s) or within two weeks of the vacancy closing, depending on when you submit your application.
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.
Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy.
TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED as there is a mandatory education requirement for the series, and also if you are applying based on education for the GS-11 grade.
The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.
S.
education program.
For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
If you are qualifying based on possessing a current Professional Engineer (PE) license, or passing the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, please provide a copy of the PE license or written document showing proof of passing the EIT.
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration.
For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85 or falling in the Gold Category) 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.
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.
Help This job is open to The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
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 is not a Bargaining unit position.