Summary This position is established to provide a fellows program for graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, State Maritime Academies, and other institutions of higher learning. Work is performed either in Headquarters or in one of the field-level Area Divisions (Atlantic, Gulf, or Pacific). Responsibilities As a Marine Transportation Specialist, you will: Participate in formal classroom instruction and/or on-the-job training necessary to develop the principles, concepts, work processes, regulations, and reference materials fundamental to various aspects of the maritime industry. Receive On-the-job training assignments and skill development which provide a practical understanding of the organization, programs, policies, and objectives of the agency. Assist in making contract awards for commercial ship berthing by developing technical requirements and evaluating. Provide entry level support in all aspects of vessel operations, including oversight of vessel operational performance, marine cargo handling, safety of navigation, and regulatory, class, and contract compliance. Utilize written, oral and IT communion tools and skill to develop reports and analysis of vessels operations. The ideal candidate possesses knowledge, experience or interest and willingness to learn about the marine industry and understanding of maritime commerce, organizations, programs, theories of management, principles of organization, and administrative procedures. NOTE: Any U.S. Citizen that is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy who has a service obligation for their education; OR a graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, State University of New York Maritime College, or the Texas A&M Maritime Academy and is required to meet a service obligation under the Student Incentive Payment (SIP) program. http://www.marad.dot.gov/education/maritime-academies/ Requirements Conditions of Employment This is an Excepted Service position. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period. DRUG TESTING: Varies by position. Tentatively selected candidates are required to undergo urinalysis in accordance with DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace", which includes testing for marijuana. Marijuana is legal in some states, however it’s still illegal at the federal level. Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. You must complete annual reporting requirements to MARAD. You must maintain USCG Merchant Mariner Credentials. You must obtain and maintain a Transportation Workers Identification (TWIC) credential. 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 either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-05 on Experience: Experience with program and project management related to ship berthing. To qualify for GS-05 on Education: 4 years above high school specialized experience. You can also qualify based on a combination of education and experience. To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have: Experience assisting in the development of technical requirements for long-term leases of property for ship berthing. There is no education substitute specialized experience. To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have: Experience assisting in the development of technical requirements for long-term leases of property for ship berthing. Experience assisting in the implementation of policies for a program or organization. There is no education substitute specialized experience. 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: Transportation- Knowledge of the principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits. Technical Credibility- Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise. Compliance- Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. Oral Communication- Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience, 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. Written Communication- Writes in clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. 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/ Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other 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. OR General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that provided a general knowledge and under-standing of traffic or transportation programs or operations. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. 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.