Senior Program Specialist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

This position is located in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Administration, Office of Competitive Grants and Workforce Development Program and is a key member of the Multimodal Competitive Grant Programs team. You will serve as an authority concerning the effects of congressional and executive branch proposals and activities on the Federal-aid highway program, and plays a key role in coordinating the Agency’s efforts to reauthorize and implement Federal highway law.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

Individual Occupational Requirement: Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled (for positions above GS-5).

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

• Experience analyzing and evaluating complex grant applications or financial assistance requests to ensure compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and program requirements, and developing funding recommendations.
• Experience providing technical guidance and assistance to stakeholders on establishment, management, and close-out of grants or cooperative agreements, including monitoring compliance and interpreting policies.
• Experience performing grant monitoring activities, including reviewing recipient reports and disbursement requests, and maintaining grant tracking systems or databases to support management reporting and file maintenance.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Experience applying automated grant management and budgetary systems to resolve issues, develop and analyze reports, manage grant resources and develop recommendations for systems and/or business process changes.
• Experience in preparing and applying federal financial assistance (grant and cooperative agreement) legislation, regulations, policies, and processes to organization-wide policy and guidance.
• Experience in the full life-cycle administration of complex federal grants or cooperative agreements, communicating agency policy, orally and in writing, including analyzing applications for compliance, performing post-award monitoring, resolving issues related to fund obligations or program requirements, and initiating grant closure actions.

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:

1. Grants Management - Knowledge of requirements, practices, and procedures for soliciting, receiving, reviewing, and processing proposals, and awarding and administering grants and agreements.
2. Oral/Written Communication - Skill in oral and written communications, including communications at the senior executive level.
3. Grants Management Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines - Knowledge of principles, laws, regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines (for example, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB circulars) of grant or agreement programs, including their order of precedence.
4. Technical Competence - Knowledge of (and experience with) transportation issues, FHWA, and the Federal- aid Highway Program; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
5. Customer Service - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.

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/

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