Deputy Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs

Summary

The Deputy Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs (DAA) serves as the lead policy advisor to the Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs (AA) and ensures that all work conducted in the Office of Highway Policy and External Affairs (HPL) is consistent with departmental and FHWA policy and priorities.

Duties

• The DAA advises the AA in furnishing policy, administrative, financial, and operational opportunities and services concerning all aspects of the programs, functions, or activities assigned to HPL. Acts in an advisory capacity to the AA on matters involving unusual or sensitive office and policy issues, resolves differences of opinion between HPL staff and other offices. Provides leadership in assessing, proposing, and executing on emerging issues of critical importance to office culture and process, and garners best practices in operational procedures and implementation strategies that increase efficiency and work production. Under the direction of the AA, the DAA represents HPL as a principal point of contact to provide advice and guidance and works collaboratively and communicates effectively with HPL Office Directors and with leadership, both internally and externally. Furthermore, the DAA: Reviews and pre-clears items of work requiring referral or briefings to the AA and Office of the Administrator. Is responsible for advising the AA in directing the planning and performance of activities including time-and-attendance controls, workforce planning, career development, employee recognition, and performance evaluation processes. Identifies opportunities and strategies to promote, partner and incorporate into departmental priorities, HPL products, research, and data information. Advises on office personnel capacity and Full-Time Equivalent pool monitoring in coordination with Office Directors. This includes the development of a variety of charts, graphs, briefings, and other reports on operational functions, human resources tasks from the Office of Administration, and administrative objectives as assigned by the FHWA Administrator through the AA. Manages internal and external office/modal general programmatic and administrative responsibilities including matters pertaining to employee engagement. Reviews and makes recommendations to AA regarding correspondence for routine items requiring HPL concurrence in the Agency's document management system. Coordinates with Office Directors and makes recommendations to AA on Agency and government-wide HPL rotational assignments, student programs and other special assignments including internship and rotational programs. Consults with Office Directors and reports to the AA on all technical, programmatic, administrative, contractual, and IT resources. This includes financial responsibilities within office programs, internal controls, research allocation and prioritization, spending plans and special tasks received by either the Office of Administration or Office of Budget and Finance. Reviews, and recommends approvals of, major reports on projects, programs, and other work activities for internal and external distribution. Maintains contacts with other Federal Highway Administration program offices, Departmental Operating Administrations, various technical and professional organizations, and other associations as it pertains to matters under the purview of HPL. Under the direction of the AA, the DAA prioritizes HPL workstreams and ensures appropriate resource allocations to meet critical HPL objectives related to legislative and congressional issues, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, international matters, and policy studies to include data and other information for collection and distribution.

Requirements

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. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Complete a one-year SES probationary period (unless already completed). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) WRITING SAMPLE: A writing sample may be required. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"