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Transportation Jobs

GS-2100

This group includes all classes of positions, the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform work which involves two or more specialized transportation functions or other transportation work not specifically included in other series of this group.

There are 27,803 federal workers employed in this group within all but two cabinet level agencies and a few large independent agencies including the GSA with 569 employed in this group.

The largest employers of this group are the Department of Transportation with 27,803 followed by the Departments of Navy, Army, and Air Force which employs over 12,733 civilians. All but three of the cabinet level agencies employ fair numbers of workers in the GS-2100 group.

The following information is compiled from numerous federal documents including qualification standards, job announcements, career articles, occupation flysheets, FEDSCOPE, OPM, Agency websites, interviews with federal employees, The United States Government Manual, and from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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Job Series Definitions

These position descriptions are excerpted from the qualification standards for select job titles in this group. In the General Schedule position classification system is established under chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code. The term “General Schedule” or “GS” denotes the major position classification system and pay structure for white collar work in the Federal government. Agencies that are no longer subject to chapter 51 have replaced the GS pay plan indicator with agency-unique pay plan indicators. For example, the Bureau of Prisons uses GL instead of the GS designation. For this reason, reference to General Schedule or GS is often omitted from the individual qualification standard sheets.

A brief introduction for major occupations within this group is provided below.

Transportation Specialist 2101

The DOT hires most of this group to maintain all of the communications, navigation, surveillance, and automation equipment for the Federal Aviation Administration.  Employees are located throughout the country at airports, air traffic control centers, training centers, and related faculties.

The federal government employs 8,573 transportation specialists of which 152 work overseas. The Department of Transportation is the largest employer with 6,619 followed by the Department of the Air Force with 952 and the Department of the Army with 330.  Most cabinet level agencies and a few large independent agencies hire in this category.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2101 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Transportation Specialist
    • Transportation Program Specialist
    • Airway Transportation Systems Specialist
    • Aviation Resource Management Specialist

Interview with Jamal Watts (ATSS) – Excerpt from recent interview with FAA ATSS supervisor

Complete Article: Airway Transportation Systems Specialist – Working For the FAA

Why did you become an Airway Transportation Systems Specialist? A lot of people joke about starting their jobs when they were just a kid, but for me it is true! I started working for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the age of 16.  At the time I was only looking for a summer job. My Mom wanted me to keep busy over the summer. I contacted the Cooperative Education office at my high school, August Martin in Jamaica, NY and they helped me get a job with an FAA program that hired high school students during the summer. The program was designed to give high school students a window into different FAA careers. I worked with FAA’s Aviation Education Department as an Office Clerk. Our office did outreach to high school and college students to get them interested in careers in aviation.

Some of my duties consisted of sending schools and organizations literature about careers in aviation including Pilots, Flight Attendants, Air Traffic Controllers and Electronic Technicians. The literature on the Electronic Technicians jobs got my attention. I always had an interest in fixing things and working with electronics. As I continued working with the summer program I requested a transfer to FAA’s Technical Operations organization which employed the Electronics Technicians that I had read so much about. So then I became an Electronic Technician Co-op Student. This group is responsible for installing new equipment at FAA facilities like Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), Runway Visual Range (RVR), Ambient Lighting System (ALS), and Communication Equipment just to name a few. I continued in the Co-op program until I graduated high school. After a couple of semesters at Queensborough Community College, Bayside, New York, I applied to the FAA’s Electronic Engineering Program. This program provided on the job training which I successfully completed and I was able to join the FAA as a full time Electronics Technician. My first position was as a Maintenance Electronics Technician at Newark Liberty International Air Traffic Control Tower.  The position is now called an Airway Transportation System Specialist (ATSS).

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study — accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.
or

Experience

General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that provided a general knowledge and under-standing of traffic or transportation programs or operations.

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

FAA Training Center

The FAA maintains a large training facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to provide training for new hires and for new system and upgrade training as needed. Most of the instructors started as field specialists and worked their way up to training instructor positions.

Transportation Clerk and Assistant GS-2102

Transportation clerks and assistants supervise or perform work to arrange transportation for or perform other actions in connection with the movement of freight, passengers, or personal property by Government or commercial means. This series also includes other transportation support work not covered specifically by another one grade interval series in the Transportation Group (e.g., fleet management, safety or regulatory program support, quality control and inspection, carrier performance evaluation, or transportation report analysis and preparation). The work requires a practical knowledge of the regulations and methods governing traffic management or transportation programs.

The federal government employs 2,665 transportation clerks and assistants of which 113 work overseas. The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force is the largest employer with 1,776 civilians employed followed by the VA with 391 and the Department of Defense with 273. Al but three of the cabinet level agencies employ this group along with a few in large independent agencies such as the GSA.

The objective of most transportation support work is to obtain the most efficient transportation services at the least cost. Transportation support work is typically organized by specific functional areas. Functional specialties include, for example, freight, passenger, personal property, and fleet management.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2102 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Transportation Clerk
    • Transportation Assistant

Trans. Industry Analysis GS-2110

This occupation includes positions that involve analytical, evaluative, advisory, or similar work pertaining to regulation of the transportation industry with regard to operations, economics, equity in industry practices, and protection of the public interest. The work requires a knowledge of transportation industry regulatory controls, of the customs and competitive practices of carriers, and of carrier operations, services, and facilities. It also requires a general knowledge of economics, statistics, law, business management and related subject-matter areas, but does not require full training and professional competence in any of those fields .

The federal government employs 129 transportation industry analysts. All work for the Department of Transportation.

The Federal Government has regulatory responsibilities in regard to the transportation industry-areas of (a) civil aviation, both domestic and international; (b) ocean shipping, both domestic offshore and international; and (c) interstate rail, pipeline, motor, and inland water carriers and freight forwarders. Regulation of the transportation industry has two primary objectives: to preserve the economic health of the industry, and to protect the public against unfair and unlawful practices.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Railroad Safety GS-2121

This series includes positions that are involved in developing, administering, or enforcing railroad safety standards and regulations or investigating and preventing railroad accidents. These positions require (1) broad knowledge of railroad operating practices and recordkeeping; (2) practical knowledge of methods used in the installation, maintenance, or manufacture of railroad equipment, signal systems, or track; (3) knowledge of safety practices applicable to the railroad industry and related laws, regulations, and standards; and (4) knowledge of the investigative techniques used in determining the cause of accidents.

The federal government employs 484 in this series. The Department of Transportation employs 471 and the NTSB employs 12.

Positions in this series are concerned with making safety inspections of railroad equipment and facilities; investigating accidents and reports of unsafe conditions on railroad property; and performing other administrative, program development, or advisory functions requiring a knowledge of railroad safety practices.

Most positions in this series can be divided into three general categories: (1) those concerned primarily with on-site inspection of railroad equipment, facilities, and operating practices for compliance with Federal safety standards and regulations; (2) those primarily involved in staff work related to policy and procedural development or program administration; and (3) those involved in investigating major railroad accidents to determine the probable cause and to make recommendations to prevent future occurrences.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2121 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Railroad Safety Inspector
    • Railroad Accident Investigator
    • Railroad Safety Specialist – This occupation is primarily concerned with aspects of railroad safety other than conducting or supervising investigations or inspections (i.e., policy development or program administration).

Motor Carrier Safety GS-2123

This series includes positions the duties of which are to administer, supervise, or perform work involved in promoting or enforcing compliance with Federal laws, standards, and regulations related to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles on the public highways. Included are positions concerned with promoting safe operating practices and enforcing compliance by shippers of hazardous materials; motor carrier accident investigation and prevention; developing regulations and standards; and providing technical assistance to the industry and other jurisdictions involved in motor carrier safety. The work requires: (1) comprehensive knowledge of the laws, standards, and regulations governing motor carrier safety; (2) knowledge of the safety principles and practices applicable to the motor carrier industry; (3) practical knowledge of the competitive and operating practices, policies, organization, equipment, facilities, and recordkeeping systems of motor carriers; and (4) knowledge of investigative techniques used in compliance enforcement and accident investigation.

The federal government employs 484 in this series. The Department of Transportation employs all in this series.

The principal characteristic of positions classified in this series is inspection, investigative, promotional, and educational work directed toward regulatory compliance to correct a wide variety of unsafe, illegal, and potentially hazardous conditions and activities associated with the commercial operation of motor vehicles and the highway transportation of hazardous materials. This work, which is akin to Federal economic regulation of the motor carrier industry, attempts to diminish the injury, death, and property damage caused by motor vehicle accidents involving motor carriers, and to provide a safer driving environment for the motoring public. It accomplishes these goals by promoting good safety practices in compliance with applicable Federal regulations by commercial motor carriers of cargo and passengers who operate in interstate and foreign commerce.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Highway Safety GS-2125

This series includes positions the duties of which primarily involve: (1) development and administration of highway safety regulations, standards and programs to elicit and promote governmental and public support for highway safety; (2) conducting studies or performing other analytical work directed toward identification of current highway safety problems and evaluation of the effectiveness of highway safety programs and methods; or (3) providing State and local governments with technical assistance in planning, developing, monitoring, funding, managing, promoting, or evaluating programs and systems to improve vehicle, passenger, or pedestrian safety and to identify, control, or eliminate the factors that influence highway accidents. All positions in this series require specialized knowledge of highway safety programs and the factors that influence highway safety and the safe performance and operation of motor vehicles. Most positions also require a high degree of analytical ability and a general knowledge of the principles and processes of program management and intergovernmental relations.

The federal government employs 238 in this series. The Department of Transportation employs all in this series.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Traffic Management Series GS-2130

This series includes positions that involve (1) performing, administering, or supervising technical and analytical work concerned with planning, development, and execution of traffic policies and programs; or (2) directing and managing programs to obtain the economical and efficient transportation of freight, personal property, and/or passengers. Positions in this occupation primarily require a knowledge of Federal traffic management principles and policies; transportation industry operations, practices, and capabilities; special handling or movement requirements associated with freight, passengers, or other transportation operations; and the relationship of traffic management to other agency or organizational programs and functions.

The federal government employs 1,675 traffic managers and specialists of which 137 work overseas. The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are the largest employers with 1,198 civilians employed followed by the Department of Defense with 214 and the Department of State with 51. All but three of the cabinet level agencies employ this group along with a few in large independent agencies such as the GSA with 27 traffic managers.

The objective of traffic management is to obtain the most efficient freight, personal property, or passenger transportation services at the most economical cost. The cost must be commensurate with the services needed, safety and security requirements, and the mission and program requirements of the agency or organization served.

Traffic management programs are primarily found in agencies (and their component organizations) that have substantial requirements for the large scale movement of freight (equipment and material), passengers, personal property (household goods, baggage, and vehicles), or all three categories. For example, in the military departments, management of the transportation of material and personnel is an integral part of the logistical support program for operating forces, specified missions, weapon systems, or other designated programs and functions.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2130 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Traffic Management Specialist
    • Traffic Managers

Freight Rate GS-2131

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to administer, supervise, or perform work involved in the procurement of common carrier and other transportation service by rail, motor, air, water, and miscellaneous means, for the domestic and foreign movement of freight. This requires: the study and application of published classification guides, rate tariffs, dockets, agreements, contracts, and related carrier and Federal publications in the classification of freight and the determination of appropriate rates and routes. In addition to positions that determine classification, rates, and/or routes prior to shipment, this series includes positions engaged in the pre-audit or the post-audit of freight bills to determine the propriety of the rates paid or to be paid.

The federal government employs 208  in this series. The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and Department of Defense employ the majority in this career field.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2131 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Freight Classification Assistant
    • Freight Classification Specialist

Cargo Scheduling GS-2144

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to supervise or perform work in controlling or scheduling the movement of cargo into, out of, or through one or more terminals in the proper amounts and time sequence in relationship to the priority of the cargo, the terminals’ ability to accommodate the cargo and/or the carriers’ ability to move the cargo. This work requires the technical analysis of the transportation considerations that affect the movement of cargo in the proper relationships to the terminal and carrier capacity. Extensive knowledge of transportation systems and of transportation rules and regulations is required but technical knowledge of freight classification and of common carriers’ rates is not required.

The federal government employs 28 in this series. The Departments of the Air Force employs all in this career field.

Cargo schedulers receive information from a great variety of sources concerning such matters as: (1) the schedule of arrival and departure of ships, planes, trains, or other transport vehicles; (2) cargo backlogs at shipping points and/or other terminals and cargo enroute to terminals; (3) capacity and route of the ships, planes, trains, or other transport vehicles; (4) weight or space allocations assigned to the control point for each voyage, trip, or flight; and (5) other possible conditions which would affect the flow of cargo through terminals (e.g., weather or other acts of God, strikes, labor shortages, etc.).

Cargo schedulers are responsible for maintaining a balanced flow of freight through the terminal. They call freight forward from the shipping points in quantities that can be managed efficiently in the terminal and are within the capacity of the carriers. They assign transportation priority and release freight from the terminal in a manner designed to utilize to the fullest possible extent the capacity of the carriers.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Transportation Operations GS 2150

Transportation specialists work under the direction of a supervisor, implements transportation policies, procedures, and regulation as they relate the agency needs. Plans, oversees, and administers vehicle leasing. They also serve as the Contracting Officer Representative and plans, develops, administers and conducts a quality control and inspection program including statistical and random sampling for the organization. They often are required to review transportation utilization records for compliance with mileage equalization policies. Analyze findings and develops recommendations for corrections and improvements. Receives and investigates complaints concerning the Motor Vehicle Drivers (Bus Drivers), Laborers etc.

The federal government employs 1,910 traffic managers and specialists of which 126 work overseas. The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are the largest employers with 1,139 civilians employed followed by the GSA with 386 and the Department of Homeland Security with 158. About half of the cabinet level agencies employ this group along with a few large independent agencies.

Specialists review written/oral reports and take action as necessary concerning such matters as vehicle utilization, turn-in, replacement, damage, loss, rotation between users, accountability; personnel management/payroll; equipment use/maintenance/repair/modernization/replacement; safety/security; fire prevention. Provides technical advice on such matters as mobilization/emergency planning.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2150 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Transportation Specialist
    • Transportation Operations Specialist

Dispatching GS-2151

Dispatchers include all classes of positions the duties of which are to supervise or perform work involved in dispatching or scheduling motor vehicles, trains, aircraft, or vessels used for the transportation of passengers, mail, equipment, or supplies. The duties of these positions are primarily of an office or a clerical nature and involve assigning vehicles, keeping records and reports, and providing route and destination information and instructions to the drivers, engineers, or pilots.

The federal government employs 1,383 dispatchers of which 17 work overseas. The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are the largest employers with 1,025 civilians employed followed by the Department of Interior with 227 and the Department of Agriculture 37. A few of the cabinet level agencies employ this group along with a one large independent agency.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2151 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Motor Vehicle Dispatcher
    • Automotive Equipment Dispatcher
    • Locomotive Dispatcher
    • Aircraft Dispatcher
    • Tug (Vessel) Dispatcher

Air Traffic Assistance GS-2154

This series includes positions that involve the performance of work in support of air traffic control functions. Positions in this series require a knowledge of and skill in applying air traffic control procedures, but do not require knowledge of aircraft separation standards or the ability to provide preflight or in-flight safety or weather briefings.

The federal government employs 416 air traffic control assistants. The Departments of Transportation employs 194 and the Air Force employs 104.

This series includes positions in air traffic control centers and terminals involved in processing data concerning air traffic movement, performing duties related to training developmental air traffic controllers, and performing other duties requiring equivalent knowledge and skills. In terminal facilities, air traffic assistants deliver departure clearances to pilots, relay flight progress strips to proper control sector(s), initiate requests for clearances from centers and relay them to the controller when the computer is inoperative, and perform a variety of other similar duties. In center facilities, air traffic assistants monitor flight data and review it for erroneous or incomplete information, collect and distribute flight plan data to appropriate controller positions, operate computer equipment providing a simulated air traffic environment in connection with the training of developmental air traffic controllers, and perform a variety of other similar duties. Also included in this series are other types of air traffic control expediting and/or support positions which require a knowledge of air traffic control procedures, but are not properly excluded from this series.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Marine Cargo GS-2161

This series includes all classes of positions the duties of which are to supervise, administer, monitor, or perform work involved in planning and/or directing the loading and stowage of cargo aboard vessels and the unloading of cargo from vessels.

The federal government employs 52 marine cargo specialists. The Department of the Army employs 29 and the Navy 12.

Series coverage is limited to positions concerned with (1) the preparation and review of stowage plans which indicate the location of cargo within assigned space aboard ship and the order in which it is to be loaded and unloaded, (2) the interpretation and implementation of cargo stowage plans during the actual loading, stowage and unloading operations, (3) combined responsibility for both the planning and monitoring of marine cargo loading and stowage operations, or (4) general or administrative duties connected with the supervision or management of marine cargo planning, loading, and stowage.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Aircraft Operation GS-2181

This series includes all positions primarily involved in: (1) piloting or copiloting of aircraft to carry out various programs and functions of Federal agencies; (2) providing ground and flight instruction and in-flight evaluation in the piloting of aircraft; (3) flight testing of developmental and modified aircraft and components; (4) in-flight inspection and evaluation of air navigation facilities and the environmental conditions affecting instrument flight procedures; and (5) performing staff work concerned with planning, analyzing, or administering agency aviation programs, where the work requires primarily the application of pilot knowledge and skills.

The federal government employs 3,316 pilots of which 35 work overseas. The Departments of the Army and Air Force are the largest employers with 2,983 civilians employed followed by the Department of Transportation with 128 and the Department of Agriculture with 37.  About half of the cabinet level agencies employ this group along with NASA a large independent agency.

Within these broad programs, agencies use pilots to perform a variety of assignments ranging from point-to-point flying of transport cargo or passengers to flight operations requiring, in addition to pilot skills, very specialized knowledge and skills related to a particular agency program or function. /p>

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2181 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Airplane Pilot — operates fixed wing aircraft
    • Helicopter Pilot — operates rotary wing aircraft
    • Aircraft Pilot — operates both fixed and rotary wing aircraft

Air Navigation GS-2183

This series includes positions responsible for assisting the pilot in aircraft operations by determining, planning, and performing the navigational aspects of the flight. Positions in this series require knowledge of the various methods of air navigation, and skill in using navigational instruments, equipment, and systems in conjunction with flight instruments to direct the movement and positioning of the aircraft to accomplish a specific mission or assignment. Some positions may require knowledge of the use and deployment of fighter aircraft ordnance; skill to conduct preflight checks, recognize malfunctions, and coordinate delivery with the pilot; and knowledge of weapon ballistics and skill to operate related avionics systems for fighter aircraft. Also included are positions responsible for providing ground and flight instruction in air navigation.

The federal government employs 182 in this series. The Department of the Navy employs all in this occupation.

This series primarily covers civilian technician positions in armed forces reserve organizations. In addition to being members of the reserves, employees in this series occupy full-time civilian positions in their particular unit. Positions specifically covered by this series include (1) navigators for heavy multiengine transport or tanker aircraft and (2) weapon systems specialists in fighter or reconnaissance aircraft. The positions covered require application of basic air navigation knowledge and skills and, in addition, the knowledge and skills associated with the particular aircraft and missions assigned to the unit.

Some positions covered by this series serve as flight crew members in support of unit flying assignments. Other positions have the additional responsibility for providing ground and flight instruction in the procedures and techniques for navigating the aircraft. Instructor positions are covered since their career relationships are in the aircraft operation field, and the positions have as their paramount requirement experience and training in air navigation.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

Aircraft Technician GS-2185

This series includes all positions the primary duties of which are to perform, instruct, or supervise flight crew work, particularly (1) flight engineering work supporting the operation of heavy multi engine aircraft, (2) controlling and operating aerial refueling systems aboard tanker aircraft, and (3) loading, positioning, and securing cargo in transport aircraft.

The federal government employs 927 aircraft technicians of which 14 work overseas. The Departments of the Army and Air Force are the largest employers with 906, 20 work for Homeland Security and one for NASA.

This series covers flight crew positions supporting the operation of aircraft. Primary coverage is of civilian technician positions in armed forces reserve organizations. In addition to being members of the reserves, these technicians hold full-time civilian positions in their particular units.

Positions covered by this series primarily perform the duties of their particular aircrew specialty in support of unit flying assignments. Also included in this series are positions responsible for providing ground and flight instruction for aircrew members, since the career relationships of such positions are in the aircraft operation field and they have as their primary qualification requirement experience and training in the particular aircrew specialty.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series. Click on “Private Sector Job Listings” to search for related occupations in the private sector.)

  • USAJOBS GS-2185 (Federal Job Lists)
    • Flight Engineer
    • Aerial Refueling Technician
    • Aircraft Loadmaster