Program Analyst (Positive Train Control) - INTERNAL TO FRA

This position is in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Railroad Safety, Signal and Train Control Division. As a Program Analyst, the work involves providing expertise in analysis, methods and practices and the performance of critical studies requiring several related tasks.

Major duties

As a Program Analyst (Positive Train Control), you will: Perform a variety of analytical and evaluative duties to support compliance audits, perform various data and trend analyses, and write reports of a technical nature relating to railroad operations related to Signal and Train Control. Provide expertise in analysis, methods and practices and the performance of critical studies identifying trends to railroad operations related to Positive Train Control (PTC) performance. Prepare reports and information identifying trends in railroad operations related to Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. Utilize knowledge of data mining and analysis to provide reports to the Supervisory Safety Specialist (Signal and Train Control). Utilize programs to monitor and maintain databases on each applicable host railroad that submits certain metrics about PTC system performance and reliability to FRA on behalf of the host railroad itself and each of its applicable tenant railroads. Provide briefings, reports and responses to congressional inquiries related to PTC rail accidents/incidents The ideal candidate is experienced in analytics and data lifecycle management. A professional who is comfortable working with technical and non-technical staff in a fast-paced work environment & with interactions with all levels of leadership; exhibits attention to detail, sound judgment, creativity, strong logic & reasoning skills, and sensitivity to deadline.

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 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience in performing quantitative and qualitative analysis of technical or operational data to evaluate program performance.
• Experience in utilizing automated data management systems to track and monitor performance metrics.
• Experience in writing technical reports to present data-driven findings for leadership review.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

• Experience in utilizing data mining or data cleansing techniques on databases to identify operational risks, trends, or performance anomalies.
• Experience in supporting compliance audits to evaluate adherence to federal safety rules, laws, or industry standards.
• Experience in communicating with stakeholders to mitigate and/or resolve potential issues that could adversely impact programs and program delivery.

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:

• Data Management - Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and tools of data management, such as modeling techniques, data backup, data recovery, data dictionaries, data warehousing, data mining, data archiving, data disposal, and data standardization processes.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
• Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

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.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.

GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. See Other information for additional instructions.