Overview
Transportation careers in federal government support the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people, goods and services. Federal transportation agencies plan, build, operate and maintain roads, bridges, transit systems, airports, rail networks, ports, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and other systems that connect communities.
Transportation work can include engineering, planning, project management, construction, maintenance, safety, environmental review, data analysis, logistics, public engagement and policy. Federal positions in transportation include traffic managers, highway safety specialists, air traffic controllers and air navigators. These roles are important to daily life because transportation systems affect access to jobs, schools, healthcare, emergency services and economic opportunities.
What You Might Work On
In the federal government, professionals in this field often:
- Plan and improve federal transportation programs
- Implement safety standards and ensure regulatory compliance of vehicles
- Manage grants, infrastructure investments and programs, supporting mobility and economic growth
- Analyze transportation data to assess performance of federal transportation programs
- Support research and technology development to improve infrastructure nationwide
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Are interested in how people, goods and services move through communities
- Like solving practical problems related to safety, infrastructure, planning or operations
- Want to work on projects that have a visible impact on daily life and economic activity
- Enjoy working with maps, data, schedules or field information to understand transportation needs
- Are interested in balancing public safety, community needs, environmental impact and long-term infrastructure goals
Job series codes
What are job series codes?
In the federal government, most jobs are grouped into “job series” based on the type of work. Each series has a four-digit code (for example, Transportation Operations, 2150).
How to use them:
You can use job series codes to narrow your search on USAJOBS. Start with a keyword (like “program analyst”), then add a series code for more targeted results. Here are a few examples to get you started — there are hundreds of job series codes across the federal government!
| Code | Series / category name | Common keywords | What you’ll do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2101 | Transportation Specialist | General Transportation Manager, Marine Transportation Specialist, Transportation Safety Specialist, Aerospace Operations, Flight Services Specialist, Airway Transportation Systems Specialist | Perform transportation-related administrative work that is not covered by another series |
| 2130 | Traffic Manager | Traffic Management Specialist, Traffic Manager | Plan and execute policies and programs relating to the efficient transportation of freight, property and passengers |
| 2150 | Transportation Operations | Air Operations Specialist, Vessel Traffic Control Specialist, Vehicle Maintenance, Airfield Manager | Plan, direct and operate transportation systems and facilities |
| 2152 | Air Traffic Controller | Air Traffic Control Specialist, Certified Professional Controller | Manage the movement of air traffic to ensure safe and efficient use of airspace. |
| 2182 | Aircraft Operation | Aircraft Pilot, Aviation Operations Officer, Aviation Safety | Pilot, instruct and evaluate aircraft and aviation systems |
Where You Could Work
The federal government is big — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many federal agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Airspace operations: Federal Aviation Administration
- Roadway safety: Federal Highway Administration
- Vehicle emissions: Environmental Protection Agency
Sample positions
Transportation Program Analyst (2101)
| Employer / agency | Federal Transit Administration |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Washington, D.C., Regional Offices |
| Mission context | This role supports the delivery of federal transit programs, advancing safe and reliable public transportation nationwide. |
In this role, you may:
- Provide accurate and timely interpretation and application of applicable transportation laws and policies for FTA grants and cooperative agreements to headquarters, regional staff and all other stakeholders
- Recommend statutory, regulatory, procedural and administrative changes that would affect the grant programs and coordinate with other FTA staff, regional offices and other federal agencies on government-wide initiatives in the development, dissemination and implementation of grant guidance
Air Traffic Control Specialist (2152)
| Employer / agency | Army National Guard Units (Title 32) |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Multiple Locations |
| Mission context | National Guard Air Traffic Control Specialists coordinate operations and air control personnel, to maintain safe airspace and air control systems. |
In this role, you may:
- Administer, schedule and conduct training to develop, upgrade and evaluate the skills of assigned personnel
- As required by the position of assignment, maintain qualifications in and perform duties as a mission crewmember in one or more of the following surveillance specialties as appropriate: Air Surveillance Technician, Data Systems Technician, Interface Control Technician, Electronic Protection Technician and Surveillance Technician
Top 10 agencies for this Field
Top 10 Most Common Jobs in this Field
Positions Currently Open on USAJOBS
Browse current federal job openings on USAJOBS and explore opportunities across agencies and career fields. Use the filters to find positions that match your skills, review requirements, and understand how to apply.
116 Results
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Permanent
Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Maintenance)
Federal Aviation Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Operations)
Federal Aviation Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Flight Oversight
Federal Aviation Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST
Naval Air Systems Command
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
SUPERVISORY AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Supervisory Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (SSC Manager)
Federal Aviation Administration
- Closes Jul 16, 2026
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Permanent
Transportation Assistant (Hazardous)
Defense Logistics Agency
- Closes Jul 16, 2026
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Permanent
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST – DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY
Air Force Materiel Command
- Closes Jul 16, 2026
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Permanent
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
Air National Guard Units
- Closes Jul 16, 2026
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Permanent
Aviation Safety Inspector (ACM), Assistant Principal Maintenance Inspector (APMI)
Federal Aviation Administration
- Closes Jul 17, 2026
