International Transportation Specialist (Open to U.S. Citizens)

Summary

This position is in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of International Transportation and Trade and serves as a senior policy advisor formulating U.S. international transportation and trade policies for assigned global regions, anticipated to focus on the Western Hemisphere. You will direct policy research, craft agency positions, analyze foreign transport policies, and advise senior leadership.

Duties

• The International Transportation Specialist: Serves as a senior policy advisor to Department leadership—including preparing high-level briefing materials, reports, and meeting agendas for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. Formulates broad-based U.S. positions on international transportation and trade policy, providing staff-level leadership in planning, coordinating teams, and implementing complex project portfolios within assigned geographic regions. Represents the Department in meetings and negotiations regarding international transportation programs, maintaining contacts with foreign governments, international organizations, industry executives, and foreign embassies. Leads research and monitors foreign transport systems, trade trends, regulatory policies, and infrastructure developments to evaluate their impact on U.S. transportation and trade interests. Participates in classified interagency policy coordination meetings and clears classified materials related to national security and international trade policy. The ideal candidate: The Office of International Transportation and Trade seeks a visionary policy expert and strategic negotiator to shape U.S. international transportation and trade policy, with an anticipated focus on the Western Hemisphere (including Canada). Operating at the intersection of diplomacy, national security, and global commerce, the ideal candidate is an analytical powerhouse who excels at leading high-stakes bilateral negotiations, advising senior officials, and has demonstrated ability to represent the Department at international meetings.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirement: Applicant must meet the IOR requirements along with the specialized experience for this announcement. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications. 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 applying analytical and evaluative methods to assess international transportation policy. Experience developing input for or implementing portions of international bilateral or multilateral transportation or trade policies or agreements. Experience preparing policy advice, briefing materials, or analytical reports on international transportation matters for senior officials. 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 in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques such as empirical economic and policy analyses to assess international transportation policy and programs related to at least two of the following areas: economic growth, innovation and technology transfer, infrastructure, transportation safety, security, international trade and supply chains, or investment. Experience shaping transportation, trade, or other public policies in bilateral or multilateral relationships internationally or developing and implementing projects or programs internationally. Experience providing policy advice and recommendations related to transportation including briefing materials and reports. 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: External Awareness - Understands and keeps up to date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders' views; is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Project Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance. 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.