Civil Engineer Open To Volpe Employees Only Db Job in CAMBRIDGE, MA

By : Unknown

On : 10:31

In : Federal Jobs, Jobs at Civil, US Gov Jobs

Job Title:Civil Engineer, GS-0810-14 (Open to VOLPE EMPLOYEES ONLY) DB

Department:Department Of Transportation
Agency:Research and Innovative Technology Administration

Job Announcement Number:RITA.VOLPE-2013-0128

SALARY RANGE:	$105,702.00 to $137,410.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Tuesday, September 17, 2013 to Thursday, September 26, 2013
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0810-14
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full Time - - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy - Cambridge, MA, US
WHO MAY APPLY:	Current VOLPE employees with status

JOB SUMMARY:

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration coordinates the US DOT’s research programs and is charged with advancing the deployment of crosscutting technologies to improve our Nation's transportation system. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, part of DOT/RITA in Cambridge, MA, has been helping the transportation community navigate the most challenging problems for more than 40 years. Volpe’s mission is to improve transportation by anticipating and addressing emerging issues and advancing technical, operational, and institutional innovations across all modes.
Visit our website to learn more: www.volpe.dot.gov  -Advancing Transportation Innovation for the Public Good-

We are seeking to hire a Civil Engineer working in the Structures and Dynamics Division.  The incumbent will serve as a technical specialist in applied track mechanics.  The employee determines and recommends new Research & Development activities, plans, directs and conducts the required program planning for contracted efforts including the development of cost estimates, project schedules, review of contractor proposals and technical and management support requirements.

The selectee must have superb analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, and be able to excel in an entrepreneurial, fast –paced environment. Transcripts are required (see details in “How to Apply” tab).  Applicants will be required to submit writing samples if invited to interview.

Ideal Candidate:  The ideal candidate is a recognized authority in and out of the Center and considered a Volpe Center leader in the track and guideway structural requirements and assessment techniques.  The employee is required to be versatile and innovative in directing and conducting studies in designing and fabricating components, evaluating system reliability, and substantiating the validity of the evaluation.  S/he must have strong program management skills and requires and in-depth understanding of track structural concepts, soil mechanics, tie and fastener systems, ballast and sub-ballast structures and related safety standards, inspection or assessment techniques.  The incumbent participates in the defining of sponsor problem; plays a significant role in defining projects and parameters and has wide latitude to develop and implement the project necessary to resolve the problem; leads project teams with responsibility for coordinating the technical work of others in the same or closely related specialties; as a technical authority adapts methods and approaches.

Announcement limited to employees of the Volpe Center who currently hold career or conditional appointments.
This position has a positive education requirement – transcripts required.

 

KEY REQUIREMENTS



• Must be a current VOLPE employee with status & meet specialized experience
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Provide all required documents by closing date
• Position is telework eligible
• Announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 30 days

DUTIES:

As a Civil Engineer, you will:

• Serve as a senior technical expert on railroad track mechanics and develop, plan and implement research and development efforts in guideway structural assessments.
• Understand the principles and practices associated with civil structure analysis and modify these practices where required to particular and unusual conditions, such as would be required to simulate large deformations of track or guideways resulting from material failure or instability. 
• Formulate, initiate and monitor contractor efforts towards improving the safety, structural performance and cost effectiveness of guideway designs, inspection and remediation.
• Plan, direct and conduct the required program planning for contracted efforts including the development of cost estimates, project schedules, review of contractor proposals and technical and management support requirements.
• Prepare written and oral reports, technical memoranda, and publications suitable for professional society publication on the work being performed.
• Initiate and monitor R & D contracts and/or Technical Task Directives to support projects being performed.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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.

LEVEL	To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the following:
GRADE 14	Experience in the areas of applied mechanics, component failure modes, material properties and experimental design. Experience with guideway structural designs and technologies particularly as related to rail transportation.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.



MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:

• Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college.

OR

• Have a combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and
  (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration as an engineer.
2. Evidence of Passing the Engineer-in-Training Written Test.
3. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as
   described by OPM.
4. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under
   professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visitGS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• Government Travel Card - You must be able to obtain and retain a Government contractor-issued travel card to be used for official business as a condition of employment. If unable to obtain and/or retain a card, you may be subject to removal. Those who fail to meet this condition of employment will have our offer of employment rescinded.
• Time-in-Grade - Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. Please ensure that your resume and application provide enough detail to support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions. Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. Your answers to the Vacancy Specific questions, your self-determined rating, resume and supporting documentation are reviewed. If your resume and supporting documents do not support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions, your final rating may be modified.
To preview questions please click here.

BENEFITS:

Benefits include health and life insurance, annual and sick leave, and retirement benefits. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal Employees here. This position is telework eligible.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Displaced employees may be eligible for CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

HOW TO APPLY:

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.

• To begin, click the Apply Online button on the job announcement.
• Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
• You may review your saved application(s) at https://my.usajobs.gov.

If you are having difficulty applying online, send an email to transjobs@dot.gov or call us at (202)366-1298.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

The following documents must be provided by the close date:

• RESUME - Showing relevant experience and education and fully supporting the required specialized experience.
• COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE
• TRANSCRIPTS - Verifying that you meet the stated education requirements for the series OR an SF-50 showing that you have already qualified and worked in the federal service in this series. The transcripts need not be official. If you are qualifying based on possessing a current Professional Engineer (PE) license, or passing the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, please provide a copy of PE license or written documented proof of passing the EIT.
• SF-50 - Which verifies grade, full performance level of position, and eligibility for consideration as a status applicant
• SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS - If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility (e.g. military spouse or persons with disabilities), you must provide appropriate supporting documentation such as PCS orders describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability, etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments. Documents are only required if requesting non-competitive consideration.
• DISPLACED EMPLOYEE PLACEMENT DOCUMENTS - Only required if requesting priority consideration underCTAP. You must submit ALL of the following: (1) your most recent performance appraisal, (2) the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and (3) your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade. In addition, you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 78).

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Automated Staffing Office
Phone: 202-366-1298
Fax: 571-258-4052
Email: TRANSJOBS@dot.gov

Agency Information:
DOT, RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ADMIN
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, DC
20590
US
Fax: 571-258-4052

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You may check your application status into by logging into your USAJOBS account. Within two weeks of the closing date, your application will be reviewed and rated. Ratings will be determined based on the documents and information received by the closing date. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring manager will contact you directly. Once a hiring decision is made, we will notify all applicants of their final status.