Embark on a Landmark Career as a Lead Community Planner (GS-15) with the Federal Highway Administration

Are you an accomplished transit strategist with a passion for designing the future of American transportation? Do you thrive when leading complex, national projects, collaborating with key public stakeholders, and crafting policies that improve the daily commute of millions? If so, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking your expertise.

This senior-level position of Lead Community Planner (GS-15) based in Washington, District of Columbia, offers a front-row seat to the modern evolution of American transit infrastructure. From modernizing roadways to establishing regional transportation planning metrics, this executive-level opportunity is designed for a visionary leader who wants to direct federal planning policies and projects.

About the Agency: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Operating under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Highway Administration is focused on what matters most to our country: prioritizing safety, upgrading aging infrastructure, promoting technical innovation, and maximizing programmatic efficiency.

The DOT is consistently ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Our culture values a results-driven, highly cooperative workplace where continuous professional improvement, operational safety, and inclusivity are top priorities. Joining the DOT family means working alongside dedicated public servants who are building a safer, more resilient nation for future generations.

Job Responsibilities of the Lead Community Planner

As a Lead Community Planner, you will be expected to provide high-level national leadership, programmatic coordination, and deep technical assistance regarding the federal transportation planning process. Your daily duties will span interagency collaboration, policy advisory, and research initiatives. Key responsibilities include:

Advancing Infrastructure Programs: Guide state-level, metropolitan, and rural transportation initiatives across national and international levels. This involves developing regulatory guidelines and directing critical planning research projects.
Acting as an Authoritative Advisor: Serve as a national expert on modern transportation planning and community impact, providing vital counsel to federal, state, and local governments.
Identifying Planning Capability Gaps: Leverage systematic evaluations and deep networks of professional organizations to locate planning vulnerabilities and build targeted initiatives to address them.
Designing Critical Studies: Formulate and manage original studies, either executed in-house or via professional contractors, to resolve critical systemic gaps in modern planning processes.
Evaluating Program Outcomes: Analyze results against the agency's primary objectives, determining how project results reshape future federal regulations and strategies.

Comprehensive Education and Qualification Standards

To be considered for this GS-15 position, you must meet rigorous academic and specialized experience standards.

Specialized Experience Requirements

You must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal service. This experience must demonstrate:

Experience designing or enacting policies, regulations, laws, or initiatives associated with local, state, or national transportation planning processes.
Proven success in representing your organization during high-stakes public hearings, conferences, or panels, directly resolving complex, sensitive programmatic concerns raised by external groups.

Educational Standards

Applicants must meet one of the following academic pathways to qualify for the community planning series:

Qualification Path	Academic Requirement	Experience Requirement
Degree in Community Planning	Degree in community planning or related fields (urban affairs, geography, political science, etc.).	Must include at least 12 semester hours in planning processes and development finance.
Related Degree (No Coursework)	Related degree but lacks the specific 12 semester hours of planning courses.	At least 1 year of professional community planning experience supervised by a certified planner.
Education & Experience Mix	Combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours (minimum 12 in planning).	Appropriate professional experience or additional education to meet full qualification standards.

Salary Overview and Compensation Structure

This position represents a senior executive track within the General Schedule (GS) system. The selected candidate will be placed at the GS-15 grade level.

Minimum Salary: $169,279 per year
Maximum Salary: $197,200 per year
Location: Washington, District of Columbia

This salary is paid on an annual basis and reflects the locality pay adjustments associated with the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.

Premium Federal Benefits and Work-Life Integration

When you build a career with the Federal Highway Administration, you are supported by one of the most comprehensive benefit packages in the nation. Beyond competitive compensation, you will enjoy:

Flexible Work & Telework: Maintain an excellent work-life balance through robust teleworking opportunities and customizable working hours.
Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a wide variety of consumer-driven health plans, dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts.
Retirement Security: Enjoy a guaranteed pension under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) alongside a matching Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) up to 5%.
Generous Leave Programs: Earn ample paid annual and sick leave, plus 12 annual paid federal holidays.
Relocation Potential: Recruitment or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) incentives may be authorized based on agency funding and individual selection.

Critical Application Tips for Success

Navigating the federal application process requires meticulous attention to detail. Follow these proven strategies to optimize your candidacy:

The Crucial Two-Page Limit: In accordance with merit hiring plans, your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. Reviewers will only read and evaluate the first two pages. Ensure all your most impactful, relevant GS-14 level achievements fit within this limit.
Specify Your Employment Details: For every job listed on your resume, you must state the starting and ending dates (month and year), whether it was part-time or full-time, the average hours worked per week, and the pay grade level if the position was federal.
Provide Transcripts: Since this position has a strict academic requirement, you must attach your transcripts. Unofficial copies are acceptable during the application phase, but they must clearly show your major and individual coursework.
Submit On Time: Late submissions will not be reviewed. Make sure your complete package, including the online assessment, is submitted before 11:59 PM EST on August 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can non-citizens apply for this role?

No. This position requires United States citizenship as a condition of employment.

Is there a travel requirement?

Yes, this position involves periodic travel. The selected candidate will be issued a government contractor travel card to be used strictly for official federal business.

Does this position require a professional certification?

While a certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is highly regarded, the core requirement is meeting the specialized experience and academic semester-hour standards outlined above.

How will my qualifications be assessed?

Your application will undergo a review to ensure basic eligibility. If you meet the qualifications, your resume will be evaluated against core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)—specifically planning compliance, public oral communication, and training mentorship. Top-performing candidates are then referred to the hiring manager for interview selection.

The Lead Community Planner position at the Federal Highway Administration is more than just a job; it is a legacy-defining career. By providing strategic, senior-level leadership to the FHWA, you will actively contribute to the nation's safety, economic strength, and environmental future. Prepare your two-page resume, secure your academic transcripts, and apply today to join the elite team of planners guiding the future of American transit.

Why This Lead Community Planner Job Matters

Lead the nation's transit transformation and shape federal infrastructure policy as a senior Lead Community Planner with the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, D.C.

Lead Community Planner Job Overview

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and highly collaborative Lead Community Planner (GS-15). Operating out of Washington, D.C., this senior-level role offers an extraordinary opportunity to provide national leadership, program expertise, and technical direction for the FHWA's transportation planning processes. If you are ready to modernize aging infrastructure, coordinate with local and state agencies, and champion innovative transit strategies, this executive-level planning position is your next career destination.

Requirements for Lead Community Planner

U.S. citizenship is mandatory for all applicants.
Must meet specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level.
Submission of a complete online application, including a resume and required transcripts, before the closing deadline.
Willingness to undergo a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
Ability to obtain and retain a government-issued travel card for official business.
Completion of a mandatory one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Preferred Qualifications for Lead Community Planner

Possession of a senior-level executive mindset with a comprehensive mastery of national transportation planning and project management methodologies.
Exceptional public speaking capabilities and the ability to articulate complex technical or sensitive information clearly to diverse stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated success in building consensus and collaborating effectively with state, local, and international transit bodies.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Flexible work schedules and eligible telework opportunities.
✓Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching.
✓Generous annual and sick leave accruals, plus 12 paid federal holidays.
✓Potential authorization for relocation or recruitment incentives (subject to service agreements).

💡 How to Apply Lead Community Planner Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Lead Community Planner Job

Click the official 'Apply Online' button on the vacancy announcement to redirect to the DOT hiring system.
Create or sign in to your USAJobs account and complete the initial registration.
Upload a resume restricted to a maximum of two (2) pages to guarantee consideration of all your credentials.
Submit your unofficial academic transcripts to verify you meet the strict planning educational requirements.
Answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire thoroughly.
Review your complete package and submit before 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the closing date.

💡 General Tips

Strictly adhere to the two-page resume limit. Reviewers will base your qualifications entirely on the first two pages of your resume.
Ensure your resume explicitly details the start and end dates (month/year), hours worked per week, and grade levels (for previous federal positions) for every role.
Tailor your resume bullets to directly demonstrate your experience with GS-14 level duties, such as writing regional/national transportation policies and presenting to major public stakeholders.
Do not assume uploading files to USAJobs automatically attaches them to your DOT application; double-check that your transcripts are attached in the final submission portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position eligible for telework?

Yes, this position is eligible for telework, subject to agency policy and supervisor approval.

What is the deadline to submit my application?

The application window closes on August 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Are transcripts required during submission?

Yes. Because community planning has specific educational requirements, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) with your application.

Does this role require a security clearance?

While a security clearance is not required, applicants must undergo a successful background security investigation and suitability adjudication.