Summary This is a public notice for FTA authorized Community Planner (0020) positions open to U.S. Citizens. Responsibilities As a Community Planner, you will: Serve as resource on FTA procedures and guidance related to transportation planning and project development processes for major transit capital investments and Federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and directives for one or more of the following: tribal, urban, suburban, and/or rural public transportation systems. Keep current as to recent or emerging changes affecting FTA programs and projects. Develop regulations, position papers, and instructions related to community planning aspects of FTA programs. Review office programs related to community planning for technical and program management effectiveness; make reports and offer suggestions for improvement based on findings. Provide technical advice and coordinate planning or related problems or projects with stakeholders. Review regulations, reports, procedures, and techniques pertaining to community planning matters and provides comments or recommendations. Participates in the investigation of complaints and inquiries and prepares responses as necessary. Support statewide and metropolitan technical planning analyses systems planning, and Federal environmental review process and ensures adequate oversight of major transit capital investment projects. The ideal candidate for this position is a transportation planning professional skilled in managing transportation planning programs or technical areas. This candidate is someone who has the skills and abilities to effectively represent the agency to Federal, state and local officials and the general public. The candidate is also someone with good communication, negotiation, and partnering skills, who desires to work in a challenging, complex, and innovative environment. 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. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. REMOTE WORK: This position is eligible for remote work, which does not require reporting to the agency worksite location on a regular basis. If selected for a remote work location, you will be required to sign a remote work agreement detailing agency remote work policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11, it must include: Experience planning, coordinating, or monitoring planning projects or studies or carrying out operating assignments; AND Experience developing and/or evaluating transportation planning and program development processes at a local, regional, state, or national level; AND Experience developing reports and presentations for meetings and conferences. To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience planning, coordinating, or monitoring grants, planning projects or studies, and/or carrying out operating assignments.; AND Experience improving or assisting others in improving transportation planning processes or programs with an emphasis on emerging areas; AND Experience developing, evaluating, and/or overseeing the development of transportation planning and program development processes at a local, regional, state, or national level; AND Experience representing an organization during public meetings and conferences and addressing programmatic and technical issues and questions raised by stakeholder groups. To qualify for the GS-14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience leading coordination efforts and promoting transportation planning best practices with Federal, state, local agencies and other professional transportation organizations; AND Experience developing, evaluating, and/or overseeing the development of transportation planning and program development processes at a local, regional, state, or national level; AND Experience in technical writing; preparing briefing papers to convey results of options, interpretation, analysis, guidelines, recommendations, and advice; and conveying transportation planning policies with stakeholders on behalf of an agency at national conferences, workshops, or meetings; AND Experience developing and implementing laws, regulations, policies, and initiatives as they relate to transportation planning or project development processes at a local, regional, state, or national level 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: Public Planning: Knowledge of functions, principles, methods, and techniques related to community planning, outdoor recreation planning, and natural resource management, such as demand forecasting, environmental impact analysis, financial forecasting, and land use planning and zoning. Planning and Evaluation: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Oral and Written communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits. 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/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Degree: Community planning; or related field such as urban affairs, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sociology, geography, economics, political science, or public administration that included at least 12 semester hours in the planning process, socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, urban and regional economic analysis, and development finance. Note: Applicants with degrees in related fields, such as those listed above, who do not have the 12 semester hours of specified course work must have had at least 1 year of work experience in community planning acquired under the supervision and guidance of a community planner. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the above disciplines, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the above disciplines of which at least 12 semester hours were in the planning process, and socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation 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.