Transportation Specialist (Gateway Director) (P) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

The position serves in the Office of Maritime and Intermodal Outreach to advance MARAD's mission and strengthen the U.S. Maritime Transportation System. The position leads regional initiatives that promote economic competitiveness, resilient maritime infrastructure, environmental sustainability, safety, security, and preparedness while building strategic partnerships across the maritime and intermodal transportation community.

Major duties

Transportation Specialist (Gateway Director): Serves as a regional technical expert and principal liaison on maritime and intermodal transportation issues, providing authoritative advice and recommendations to MARAD leadership and Federal, State, local, and private-sector stakeholders on port, terminal, freight, waterway, and transportation system needs. Leads regional stakeholder engagement and partnership development by convening and coordinating diverse public- and private-sector partners to identify emerging transportation challenges, develop collaborative solutions, and advance MARAD programs and strategic priorities. Analyzes regional maritime and intermodal transportation conditions, policies, and trends and translates maritime policies and programs into regionally appropriate strategies, action plans, and recommendations that improve freight mobility, infrastructure, resilience, and transportation system performance. Provides technical assistance and program support for maritime infrastructure investments and Federal assistance programs, including identifying potential funding and financing resources, evaluating project needs, and assisting stakeholders in developing and advancing competitive infrastructure and resilience projects. Supports regional port readiness, emergency preparedness, and operational resilience efforts by identifying transportation system vulnerabilities, coordinating with Federal and non-Federal partners, supporting exercises and response activities, and providing recommendations to address disruptions affecting maritime operations. Represents MARAD in meetings, conferences, forums, and other engagements involving maritime transportation and intermodal issues; prepares and delivers briefings, reports, presentations, and correspondence; and provides informed recommendations on complex issues affecting the U.S. maritime industry and MARAD's mission. The ideal candidate is a maritime transportation professional with expertise in port operations, intermodal transportation, and port preparedness. The candidate demonstrates strong analytical and communication skills; can assess complex transportation issues, evaluate program effectiveness, and develop sound recommendations; and can build productive relationships with Federal, State, local, and private- sector stakeholders to advance MARAD's mission and regional priorities.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. 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 establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with public and private stakeholders across the marine and intermodal transportation system. Experience analyzing, applying, or advising on maritime and intermodal transportation practices, logistics operations, freight flows, or related federal policies and regulations. Experience serving as a technical advisor or subject matter expert on transportation, maritime, or supply chain matters. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience leading stakeholder engagement and strategic partnership initiatives across complex marine and intermodal transportation networks. Experience directing the integration of national maritime, freight, or intermodal transportation policy into regional or program-wide operational strategies. Experience serving as an authoritative subject matter expert or senior technical advisor on maritime, intermodal, or logistics matters. 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: Lead cross‐sector coalitions and regional working groups involving ports, carriers, shippers, labor, state and local governments, federal agencies, academia, shipyards, inland waterway operators, offshore energy entities, and private investors. Establish structured, recurring engagement mechanisms with shippers, carriers, railroads, trucking firms, terminal operators, inland waterway carriers, and third‐party logistics providers to capture system‐wide customer experience across all modes of the intermodal transportation network. Identify and coordinate federal, state, and private financing tools to support port, waterway, shipyard, and intermodal infrastructure. Provide technical assistance for federal assistance programs, including PIDP, Marine Highway, Small Shipyard Grants, TIFIA, BUILD/RAISE, INFRA, and other DOT programs. 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.

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: PCS Expense Reimbursement is only being offered for the Anchorage, Alaska location. 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. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).