Duties

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This position is in the Office of the Chairman and reports directly to the Commission Chairman, with broad discretionary powers and executive authority to act within established policies of the Chairman and the Commission. This is a Tier 1 Senior Executive Service position.

The incumbent serves as the Chief of Staff of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Chief of Staff include:

• Provide advice and assistance to the Chairman regarding the full range of FMC operations, administration, strategic planning, program development, and execution; assist the Chairman in promoting Government reform; and may present the views of the Chairman to agency managers, program officials, and others.
• Provide leadership, direction, advice, and advocacy on behalf of the Chairman to FMC officials with respect to the interpretation, application, implementation, and enforcement of the agency's statutes and regulations.
• Represent the Chairman on official contacts within the Commission and with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch, other Federal agency officials, foreign government officials, officials of the shipping industry, and the media.
• Serve as the Commission's Executive Sponsor of an e-filing adjudication system procurement.
• Collaborate with the Chairman in preparation for appearances before Congress, industry groups, trade organizations, the diplomatic community, the media, and other institutions with an interest in maritime policy and regulations.
• Provide expert legal advice and opinion on notices of proposed rulemaking and regulations, and aid in the development of regulations, guidelines, and policy guidance based upon existing, new and/or amended legislation and judicial decisions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory 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.
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.

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)"

Qualifications

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 Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) 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.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualification.

MTQ 1: Expert knowledge of the Shipping Act and related federal statutes, regulations, and policies governing the U.S. international ocean transportation system, with demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to support executive decision-making, organizational strategy, and agency operations. Proven experience advising senior executives on complex regulatory, legislative, and policy matters affecting ocean shipping, supply chain resilience, competition, and maritime commerce.

MTQ2: Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret statutory authorities, evaluate emerging policy and operational issues, and develop strategic recommendations that advance agency priorities while ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives involving executive leadership, program offices, legal counsel, congressional stakeholders, and external partners to address sensitive and high-profile issues related to the Shipping Act. Proven ability to communicate complex regulatory matters clearly to senior leadership, facilitate informed decision-making, and lead implementation of strategic initiatives in a dynamic, politically sensitive environment.

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.

Education

There are no education requirements for this position.

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for this position and a service agreement up to 4 years may be required if incentive is paid.

If selected for this position, you must complete personnel suitability documents. Your appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of an appropriate background investigation. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Tiering: The FMC structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Commission.

The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually while employed, and upon termination of employment. You may also be subject to post employment restrictions.

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.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.