Duties

NOTE: This is an interdisciplinary position, which means that the duties and responsibilities of the position relates to the 0801/0854 (Engineer), 1310 (Physics), and 1550 (Computer Science) fields. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this position, a person with education and experience in the 0801, 0854, 1310, or 1550 series may be considered equally well qualified to do the work. Please refer to the mandatory Individual Occupational Requirements, listed in the Education Requirements section, and the Qualifications section for more information.

As a Technical Expert, you will:

• Provide technical leadership for the HASS COE, including sharing expertise, identifying, and prioritizing research needs, leading technical projects, and sharing and communicating insights and findings with technical and non-technical audiences on topics with implications for the safety of highly automated systems in transportation.
• Identify gaps and opportunities in technology, tools, information, and expertise to enable the Department to review, assess, and validate the safety of highly automated systems across all modes of transportation.
• Provide coordination and technical support to emerging issues and incidents, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
• Identify research needs and questions, and direct efforts to conduct original research and collect best practice information to produce meaningful, actionable recommendations for decision-makers in one or more technical domains central to highly automated system safety.
• Develop and review technical reports, white papers, memoranda, literature reviews, and presentations, including for both a technical and non-technical audience. Develop and prepare in-depth analyses of automation and safety issues at the national, regional, and global levels.

The ideal candidate is a recognized expert in one or more technology fields central to highly automated systems and their safety in transportation applications, including: computer science; sensor performance; autonomy stack design and integration; validation, testing and safety assurance approaches; cybersecurity; data; communications and interoperability. The candidate should be comfortable addressing complex, multifaceted research questions, often under tight time constraints and conditions of uncertainty. They should be able to communicate complex technical information clearly and succinctly for a nontechnical audience, including senior appointed officials, and adept at working in a dynamic and flexible environment. The idea candidate brings a passion for innovative technology and protecting public safety through responsible development, testing, and deployment.

REMOTE WORK: This position may be eligible for Remote Work. Remote work means the residence is the full-time official duty location. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2022/general-schedule/ If selected for a remote work position, you must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency standards from the approved work location within the Contiguous United States and sign a remote work agreement.

PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (6 month) vacancy announcement. Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications after the first 14 days of the vacancy opening for early consideration. Then after, applications will be reviewed on an as needed basis. We will give equal consideration to all applications we receive.

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.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the basic qualifications for this position, you must first meet (1) the education requirements for any of the series listed, and (2) provide a copy of your transcripts for verification, then you must meet (3) the specialized experience requirements for the specific grade(s).

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 in either research, development, testing or deployment of technology relating to any of the following technical areas; automation and human factors, computer science, data analytics, machine learning, sensors, and other technologies involving automated systems autonomy.
• Experience in developing and presenting information and reports, project partners, peers, and other parties regarding technical results.

To qualify for the GS-15, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

• Experience in either research, development, testing or deployment of technology relating to any of the following technical areas; automation and human factors, computer science, data analytics, machine learning, sensors, and other technologies involving automated systems autonomy.
• Experience advising senior leadership on complex issues, risks, and challenges related to development, testing or deployment of emerging technologies and providing recommendations and/or strategic direction for decision-makers regarding solutions.

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:

Technical Knowledge - Mastery of, and skill in applying, the art and science of a specialty area of an engineering or Physics discipline sufficient to formulate, evaluate, nurture, and promote the generation and exchange of new theories, concepts, principles, methods, applications, and practices; plan, evaluate, and execute short- and long-range programs which impact national or international transportation issues.

Research - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results as it relates new and emerging technologies.

Strategic Thinking - Ability to identify gaps and opportunities in technology, tools, information, and expertise to enable the Department to review, assess, and validate the safety of highly automated systems across all modes of transportation. Contribute to the development of strategic research plans, including identifying research needs, goals, and critical gaps.

Written and Oral Communication - Ability to develop and review technical reports, white papers, memoranda, literature reviews, and presentations, including for both a technical and non-technical audience. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.

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.

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must fully meet the basic qualifications criteria of at least one of the following series.

To qualify for the 0801/0854 series, Engineer - you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

A. Successful completion of a degree in engineering that: (1) has at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) that included differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials; (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials; and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR

B. Combination of education or training: college level education, training and/or technical experience that has furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying 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:

Professional registration or licensure - current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).

Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences which included the courses as specified in Paragraph A above.

Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. There should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. This must be clearly described in your resume.

For more specifics, please see the OPM qualifications standard for GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

To qualify for the 1310 series, Physics - you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

A. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR

B. Combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.

For more specifics, please see the OPM qualifications standard for GS-1310: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/physics-series-1310/

To qualify for the 1550 series, Computer Science - you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

For more specifics, please see the OPM qualifications standard for GS-1550: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/

Additional information

PLEASE NOTE: This is a Bargaining unit position represented by AFGE Local 3313.

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.