Abbreviated as DOT, the Department of Transportation is a federal agency in the United States that oversees and regulates the country’s transportation system.
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The Department of Transportation was brought to life by the Department of Transportation Act in 1966.
This act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was needed because there became a growing demand for a centralized and coordinated answer to transportation policy and administration.
Before DOT was around, transportation responsibilities were managed by a few different federal agencies.
The Department of Transportation combined agencies such as the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and more.
According to their website, the Department of Transportation has a single mission to “serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.”
The DOT oversees many different modes of transportation, like aviation highways, railways, maritime, and pipelines.
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The Department of Transportation’s primary goal is to create and enforce safety regulations on transportation systems.
It sets the gold standard for vehicle and equipment safety, transportation infrastructure, and operator certifications.
The DOT also does a lot of work in the development and maintenance of existing transportation infrastructure in the United States.
It does a lot of work to plan, design, construct, monitor, and repair highways, bridges, airports, railways, ports, and similar facilities.
Another thing that the DOT manages are grant programs that provide money to state and local governments, tribal communities, and similar organizations for transportation-related projects.
The grants are designed to encourage infrastructure development, safety improvements, public transit programs, and more.
Another principal responsibility of the DOT is to facilitate domestic and international trade by maintaining reliable transportation systems.
It is supposed to support initiatives that promote economic growth and build a relationship between communities and businesses.
The Department of Transportation has several smaller agencies it works with closely, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
There are all sorts of job opportunities within the DOT.
Specifically, there are positions in policy, administration, engineering, and safety regulation.
Transportation specialists are in high demand at the DOT.
These specialists are necessary for transportation projects and initiatives.
They will analyze different transportation systems, decide where the infrastructure needs are, and develop transportation policies.
Civil engineers are also hugely important at the DOT.
Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain transportation infrastructure.
They work on highways, bridges, airports, and more.
Their projects include roadway design, structural analysis, environmental impact assessment, and traffic management.
Another crucial position is that of a transportation planner.
These planners figure out the plans and policies at the regional, state, or local level. It involves analyzing a lot of transportation data, looking at population and demographic trends, and then recommending improvements and investments.
Of course, these are just a few jobs that are available within the Department of Transportation.
Specific positions will change based on the agency’s current priorities and the location of the applicant.
Application Process for the Department of Transportation
Applying for the Department of Transportation starts with two simple steps.
Applicants must make an account with login.gov and then make an account with USAJOBS.gov.
USAJOBS.gov is a federal website listing all the jobs the United States government needs filled.
It is on this website that applicants will look for jobs.
The search function can be changed to filter out positions that are not under the Department of Transportation.
There are over 350 positions for employees who want to work with the DOT on the website as of June 2nd, 2023.
For example, there is a listing for a Civil Engineer (Highway) (Construction) working with the Federal Highway Administration for a starting salary of $66,214 a year.
Most of the Department of Transportation listings are open so that anyone who is a United States citizen or national can apply.
It is important to note that some listings only want current federal employees of that agency to apply.
Applicants should click on the listing and then click on the “Apply” button and enter in all essential information.
All requested documents can be submitted and uploaded with the USA JOBS portal.
As a Department of Transportation employee, workers are entitled to certain federal benefits.
They will get an extensive healthcare plan covering medical, vision, and dental insurance.
Any eligible dependents they have will also obtain this coverage.
Employees of the DOT will also gain access to substantial retirement savings and investing plans, like the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Of course, federal employees also are entitled to paid vacation leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
The specifications of these benefits are based on how long the employee has worked and other factors.
They can find out their exact benefits by contacting Human Resources.
For people passionate about the safety and efficiency of United States transportation, there are over 350 job opportunities currently on USAJOBS.gov.