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

Summary

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.

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.

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).

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.

Required documents

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages. Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time (e.g., Program Analyst, GS-343-11 | January 2009–Present | 40 Hours/Week) and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience. VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. If applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy). If claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required. If applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act. NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility, you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments. DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: 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 80) 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. Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. SPECIAL ATTENTION: To be considered, you must submit all required resume details and applicable documents by the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified. Note: Uploading documents to USAJobs does not automatically attach them to this application. You must review and verify that all files are successfully transferred to our system before final submission