Summary This position is located in the Office of Maritime Labor and Training. The Officer supervises staff in performing analysis for the State Academies Program (46 CFR Part 310). Responsibilities include managing federal financial aid to six State Maritime Academies (SMAs), directing budget execution, and overseeing the Student Incentive Payment (SIP) program and maritime service compliance. Responsibilities As the Academies Program Officer, you will: Supervise staff engaged in the execution and financial management of Federal Aid to six State Maritime Academies, ensuring compliance with 46 CFR Part 310. Direct and coordinate agency policies regarding budget preparation, administrative fiscal control, and the allocation of funds for training ship fuel and student incentives. Maintain strategic liaison with Academy Presidents, Congressional officials, the Department of the Navy, and the USCG to ensure program smooth administration and cadet compliance. Develop program alternatives responsive to national policy, performing cost analyses and drafting federal regulations or legislative amendments as required. Oversee compliance systems, specifically the Maritime Service Compliance System (MSCS), to monitor student service obligations and investigate potential breaches. The ideal candidate for this position has extensive experience in the commercial maritime sector with exposure to ocean carrier industry, in intermodal operations, project cargo, stevedoring, freight forwarding, vessel operations and customer relations as they relate to capabilities of U.S.-flag carriers. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must meet specialized experience stated in Qualifications section. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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. 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. SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed). 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. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. 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 administering federally regulated programs within a maritime or higher education environment, including interpreting and applying regulatory requirements under federal statutes and regulations (e.g., 46 CFR), developing policy guidance, and advising senior institutional leadership on compliance and program implementation. Experience managing federal financial assistance programs, including grants, cooperative agreements, or direct subsidy funding, with responsibility for budget formulation, fiscal oversight, allocation of funds, , and ensuring compliance with federal financial management regulations. Experience serving as a liaison and coordinating program activities with senior stakeholders across multiple organizations, including Department of Defense (Navy) officials, Congressional representatives or staff, and state-level executive offices, to resolve issues, communicate program requirements, and support mission objectives. 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: Program Management & Regulatory Oversight: Expert knowledge of 46 CFR Part 310 and statutory requirements for SMAs. Financial Management & Federal Assistance: Ability to manage Federal Aid, Grant/Cooperative Agreements, and SIP funds within fiscal controls. Compliance & Risk Management: Skill in identifying breaches of service obligations and maintaining compliance monitoring systems. Strategic Coordination & Liaison: Skill in representing an agency with high-level stakeholders and negotiating complex agreements. 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 No education requirement for this position. Additional Information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. 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
