Demo

Division Chief (Supervisory Program Manager) - DIRECT HIRE

Federal Transit Administration
Cambridge, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 7/21/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/19/2026
Summary

This supervisory position is located in the Office of Program Oversight (TPO) within the Federal Transit Administration. The incumbent will serve as a division chief, under the direction of a director, managing and supervising a team responsible for designing and operating the nationwide program oversight of recipients of federal transit funding.

Duties

Help

As a Division Chief (Supervisory Program Manager), you will:

  • Provide supervisory direction, guidance, oversight, and quality review for the planning, development, implementation, and conduct of programs, projects, initiatives, and responsibilities within the Division.
  • Lead a team in the management and operation of transit industry specific oversight review programs, including the FTA Triennial and State Management Reviews.
  • Apply superior communication skills and represent TPO with internal and external audiences by constructing well-organized, well-written policies, procedures, contracts, memoranda, briefs, reports, letters, and other documents; and clearly and concisely briefing senior FTA officials.
  • Identify, analyze, and clarify complex, critical, and controversial issues, including those relevant to external transit stakeholders; resolving conflicting or competing points of view on matters of fact, regulation and guidance; recommending action plans; and defining decision points to effectively monitor and report on implementation.
  • Serve as an advisor to the TPO Executive Management Team and operate strategic direction.


The Ideal Candidate is an experienced supervisory manager who has excellent program management, communication, stakeholder collaboration, and analytical skills with knowledge of, and professional experience in oversight of federal transit program requirements and/or public transit governance, operations, or planning.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position.


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.


Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: 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.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: New supervisors must complete a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • WRITING SAMPLE/ASSESSMENT: This position may require a writing sample/assessment during or after the interview.


Qualifications

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

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

  • Experience leading a team in the development, management, and execution of high-profile grantee-facing programs and projects.
  • Experience communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders, such as persuading, presenting, and defending programs, and preparing and executing briefings (formal and informal) to executive leaders on complex topics.
  • Experience applying federal requirements in the context of public transit policy, public transit operations, or public transit planning.


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:

  • Program Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing programs and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
  • Communications: Expresses information orally and in writing to individuals and groups effectively, factoring in the audience and nature of the information (e.g., technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately; and writes in a clear, concise, organized and convincing manner for the intended audience.
  • Public Transit Industry Compliance: Applying federal program requirements to public transit policy, operations, and planning frameworks, assessing public transit system compliance with program requirements, identifying regulatory risks related to the public transit industry, and ensuring alignment with federal mandates.


For all types of consideration, 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/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

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

Education

No education requirement for this position.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code9202(c) and 5 C.F.R
  • 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

  • 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.

    Help

    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.

    Review our 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.

    Salary.com Estimation for Division Chief (Supervisory Program Manager) - DIRECT HIRE in Cambridge, MA
    $83,253 to $112,090
    If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
    Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

    What is the career path for a Division Chief (Supervisory Program Manager) - DIRECT HIRE?

    Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Division Chief (Supervisory Program Manager) - DIRECT HIRE career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
    Income Estimation: 
    $79,703 - $117,266
    Income Estimation: 
    $85,327 - $111,476
    Income Estimation: 
    $88,764 - $116,465
    Income Estimation: 
    $70,882 - $94,516
    Income Estimation: 
    $89,191 - $127,928
    Employees: Get a Salary Increase
    View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

    Job openings at Federal Transit Administration

    • Federal Transit Administration Cambridge, MA
    • Summary This position is located in the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO). ... more
    • 16 Days Ago

    • Federal Transit Administration Chicago, IL
    • Summary This position is located in the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO). ... more
    • 16 Days Ago

    • Federal Transit Administration York, NY
    • Summary This position is located in the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO). ... more
    • 16 Days Ago

    • Federal Transit Administration Fort Worth, TX
    • Summary This position is located in the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO). ... more
    • 16 Days Ago


    Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Division Chief (Supervisory Program Manager) - DIRECT HIRE jobs in the Cambridge, MA area that may be a better fit.

    • Tufts Physician Organization Boston, MA
    • Division Chief, Thoracic Surgery Tufts Medical Center | Tufts Medicine | Boston, Massachusetts At Tufts Medicine, every member of our team plays an essenti... more
    • 8 Days Ago

    • Tufts Physician Organization Boston, MA
    • Lead Academic Innovation in Hematology/Oncology at Tufts Medical Center The Department of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine invites applicati... more
    • 26 Days Ago

    AI Assistant is available now!

    Feel free to start your new journey!