Travel Management Specialist

Nakupuna Solutions is looking for a Travel Management Specialist to support the Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom. The Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom ensures effective management and oversight of foreign assistance programs, coordinates international disaster, crisis and humanitarian response efforts, supports global immigration and border security, and advances the Department's values-based diplomatic agenda. The bureaus reporting to the Under Secretary advance the national interests of the American people by strategically deploying foreign assistance funds to further national security, trade, and humanitarian priorities, advocating for tranquility and respect for free speech, religious freedom and natural rights around the world, and helping partner nations respond to crises and ensure shared security and prosperity.

The Travel Management Specialist provides comprehensive oversight and subject matter expertise in the management of travel operations using the Department of State's E2 travel system. The incumbent ensures compliance with federal and departmental travel regulations, supports users through training and technical assistance, and continuously evaluates and enhances travel processes. Responsibilities include processing travel authorizations and vouchers, maintaining user accounts, analyzing travel data, drafting policies and standard operating procedures, and delivering tailored training and educational materials to internal stakeholders.

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Utilizes existing knowledge and best practices to assist with all obligations and operations taking place within the E2 travel system.
• Applies knowledge of government-wide and State Department-specific regulations to review, edit, return, and/or process all travel authorizations and vouchers submitted for the TIP Office; includes all necessary amendments to submitted authorizations and vouchers.
• Attends, either in-person or remotely, all State Department and/or government-wide meetings involving updates or changes that impact E2 travel and operations; reports all pertinent information and updates processes accordingly.
• Controls and maintains F/EX and assigned office/bureau user accounts (referred to as F/EX, for consistency), ensuring that user lists remain up to date and accurate.
• Monitors government employee travel frequency in the E2 system, enforces travel card use requirements as appropriate, and administers corrective actions based on incidents of travel card fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Runs reports in the E2 system and conducts assessments of F/EX travel operations.
• Compiles travel reports utilizing both the E2 system and existing/historical information, assembling diverse data sets into various user-friendly formats and displays depending on the audience.
• Analyzes and completes in-depth assessments of F/EX ravel operations, identifying areas of strength and weakness, internal and external risk areas, underlying causes of problem areas, and suggested solutions.
• Analyzes and completes in-depth assessments of F/EX customer travel operations, identifying customer best practices, areas of weakness, impacts of problem areas on travel operations, mitigation options, and overall solutions.
• Serves as the E2 expert for all F/EX customers, handles all questions and concerns about system operations, and assists them in identifying future travel needs.
• Operates a dedicated phone line for customer E2 problems and concerns between 0900 and 1500, Monday-Friday (except Federal Holidays), troubleshooting reported issues; responds to all assistance requests within the business hour, with the majority expected to be resolved within 24-48 hours.
• Meets with all customer groups on a quarterly basis to identify anticipated travel for that time; reports the results of these interactions to RMP leadership.
• Utilizes knowledge of State Department travel policy and operations to assist the Government in drafting travel policy and associated SOPs.
• Reviews F/EX travel operations and, utilizing knowledge of existing travel policy, drafts implemental and supplemental local policy to structure customer, travel team, and E2 roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Reviews and edits travel operations and, utilizing knowledge of existing travel policy, drafts SOPs.
• Creates travel trainings and educational material, and hosts trainings on travel operations in coordination with the INL travel team.
• Develops training on the E2 system, updates materials as SOPs, system changes, and best practices emerge, and hosts quarterly trainings for customers.
• Develops onboarding training on the E2 system, inclusive of basics such as system purpose and how to obtain a login; updates materials as SOPs, system changes, and best practices emerge, and hosts sessions as needed for onboarding employee groups.
• Develops training on all aspects of traveling within the State Department, updates content as SOPs, system changes, and best practices emerge; includes training on local policies and SOPs created under this contract and hosts sessions as new material arises.
• Creates general educational materials, such as brochures, infographics, and tips and tricks, on State Department travel; sends these materials to the customer base via monthly travel notes emails.

Skills/Qualifications: The Travel Management Specialist requires exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to customer service and operational excellence. The position requires demonstrated expertise in five distinct functional areas: Travel Arrangements, Travel Analytics and Operational Assessments, Customer Relations, Policy, and Customer Training. The contractor will carry out day-to-day operations in each of these areas, apply knowledge of federal travel regulations and Department of State procedures, and incorporate industry's best practices into daily support activities and the broad rollout of policies and guidance across F/EX program offices. The ability to liaise with other Department bureaus to coordinate key travel policies and address emerging issues is also required

Education and Experience:

• BA or BS.
• 3+ years of federal travel regulations experience and travel management support.

Clearance Requirement: Secret clearance required. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $90,000.00 to $104,000.00 (annualized USD). The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies total compensation package for employees.