Supervisory Transportation Program Manager (SME) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)
Federal Transit Administration
Posted: April 14, 2026 (45 days ago)
This job has been posted for over a month. It may already be filled.
Maritime Administration
Department of Transportation
Location
Salary
$151,661 - $218,800
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Other jobs →Closes
This job involves leading efforts to manage and support government-controlled ships and ocean shipping resources, especially during emergencies like wars or national crises, by handling everything from crewing and repairs to logistics and budgeting.
A good fit would be someone with deep experience in the maritime field who is passionate about public service, efficient government operations, and upholding American democratic principles.
It's a high-level leadership role focused on ensuring reliable shipping capabilities for the nation.
The Deputy Associate Administrator for Federal Sealift establish capabilities for MARAD's administration of policies and programs that assemble, requisition, allocate, utilize, or employ, or charter ocean shipping resources.
Provides for the effective crewing, provisioning, equipping, husbandry, repair, maintenance, and logistics support of ships or MARAD-controlled shipping necessary to meet ocean shipping requirements in wartime, national emergency, or civil contingency planning support.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.
Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.
Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).
If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ 1: Experience demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of maritime industry operations and management, including the principles, methods, and techniques related to vessel engineering, operations, repair, and maintenance.
TQ 2: Demonstrated high-level skill in directing, administering, and managing technical programs related to vessel operation, maintenance, repair activities, and budgetary planning.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.
If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding – This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency -This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.
This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs.
Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Major Duties:
The Deputy Associate Administrator for Federal Sealift is responsible for the following areas: Managing the
National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) anchorages and field activity sites, New Construction, Public Nautical Scholarship Program (PNSP), Ship Manager Contracts (SMC); Fleet and Logistics Support, including the Ship Disposal Program (SDP), and the Nuclear Ship Savannah Technical Staff.
Overseeing the acquisition, operation, maintenance, repair, and logistics support of Government-owned or acquired merchant ships activated from the NDRF.
Oversight and resource management for the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) program in support of defense sealift requirements.
Functional areas include headquarters divisions and field activities: Division of Maintenance and Repair; Division of Sealift Operations and Emergency Response; Division of Logistics Support; Division of Atlantic Operations; Division of Gulf Operations; and Division of Pacific Operations.
Also oversees the MARAD Liaison Officer (LNO) to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) Headquarters.
Overseeing operating activated ships under a MARAD-only Operational Control (OPCON), the MCC functions as the MARAD Command Center, the operational command and control (C2) node, for directing ship and field activities that support MARAD's sealift programs as well as national security or defense requirements during wartime and civil contingency actions.
Advising and consulting with the Associate Administrator for Strategic Sealift on policy recommendations and courses of action with far reaching consequences in the management of MARAD programs for operating ships.
Provides technical expertise in ship management and functional skill in maritime operations to fulfill agency objectives and statutory responsibilities for peacetime, national security, and wartime.
Plans, directs, and coordinates programs that provide critical marine engineering and marine repair services.
Evaluates progress and efficiency to determine the need for continuation or redirection of programs or parts thereof; documents and estimate cost trends in relation to program requirements; and coordinates program activity with stakeholders.
In conjunction with the AA, determines the scope or responsibility of the respective organizations for ship procurement, conversion, reconversion, reconditioning, or modification that substantially changes the basic characteristics of vessels.
Reviews and approves substantial or controversial changes in plans and specifications for ship repair, maintenance, or operation contracts.
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