General Engineer

Federal Railroad Administration • Sacramento, CA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is assigned to the Office of Railroad Safety, Office of Railroad Systems, Technology and Automation, Signal, Train Control and Crossing Division. The employee maintains a current and valid technical foundation for Federal Railroad Administration policy regarding signal and train control safety and translates that policy into regulations and programs affecting the nation's entire railroad system.

Requirements

• 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.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• 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.
• You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• 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.
• This position has been determined to be a critical safety/security position as defined in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Order, DOT 3910.ID entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace."
• If selected for this position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment / pre-appointment drug test. you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.
• Location is negotiable among FRA/DOT-approved staff offices listed in this Job Announcement and are subject to space availability and management approval.
• The selectee will report to an assigned FRA/DOT office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in situational telework as determined by management in accordance with DOT policy.
• To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
• To qualify for the GS-13 , you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience conducting examinations of engineering products, equipment, or procedures, which includes evaluating design documents, executing hardware and software system safety analyses, or participating in factory and field testing.
• Experience assisting with research and development (R&D) efforts, which includes defining specific engineering requirements, identifying the scope of work, and developing testing or evaluation criteria.
• Experience analyzing compliance with rules and regulations within a government, regulatory, or enforcement program framework.
• 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 applying engineering principles (such as electrical, mechanical, or electronics engineering) to implement complex railroad signal, train control, or highway-rail grade crossing systems affecting railroad safety.
• Experience managing or leading complex engineering projects or Research and Development (R&D) initiatives within a transportation safety context.
• Experience representing an organization in technical discussions, seminars, or adversarial settings to exchange novel ideas or present policy decisions with technical experts, contractors, railroad union representatives, and / or high-level railroad management.
• General Engineering: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of engineering and their practical applications.
• Safety Engineering: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes.
• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
• Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Written Communication Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• All FRA employees (or spouses or minor children of FRA employees) are specifically prohibited from holding railroad stock (including shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. which owns 100% of BNSF), whether held outright, in an IRA, or in a 401(k) or other plan.
• Employees having a prohibited financial interest must divest themselves of railroad stock within 90 days after their appointment to their positions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in program and project management; provide technical guidance in matters concerning the implementation of a comprehensive research and development program related to railroad signaling, train control, and communication design, testing, and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide the staff of the Signal, Train Control and Crossing Division with professional advice relating to signal, train control, and crossing (signal and train control) matters as they affect railroad safety.
• Apply science and engineering judgment, engineering principles, and administrative skills to plan, coordinate, and implement several complex projects related to reliability, system safety, and design principles.
• Identify the scope of work needed, define specific engineering requirements and design criteria, and develop testing and evaluation criteria for projects and research and development (R&D) efforts that address the development of improved concepts for grade crossing protection, communication, and train control technologies.
• Participate in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rulemaking process, including representing FRA on the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), analyzing all pertinent issues, and making recommendations for revisions or modifications to the signal and train control regulations when warranted by results of analysis.
• Initiate and prepare replies to inquiries from members of Congress, railroads, labor organizations, FRA district personnel, other agencies, and the public pertaining to signals and train control matters.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits.
• Review our benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level