Senior Program Officer - NCHRP Pavement and Materials
Vacancy has expired
Washington, DC
| Employer: | The National Academy of Sciences |
| Category: | Research |
| Job Type: | Full Time |
Description | |
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Job Description Summary: ** RESUME AND COVER LETTER REQUIRED ** The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is one of seven major divisions of the National Research Council-a private, nonprofit institution that is the principal operating agency of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Board's mission is to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange, conducted within a setting that is objective, interdisciplinary, and multimodal. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) is an applied, contract research program that develops near-term, practical solutions to transportation issues. TRB manages this program; a description of the program may be found at http://www.trb.org/CRP/About/DivD.asp. The Senior Program Officer will manage applied research projects primarily in the NCHRP. The Senior Program Officer will work with expert panels established for the purpose of guiding research projects related to materials science, and pavement design, preservation, and maintenance, but may also manage applied research projects on a wide variety of transportation topics of interest to state departments of transportation. The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for preparing project statements and progress reports, making presentations before technical groups, evaluating research reports, initiating contracts, and monitoring research. The selected candidate will assist in program administration. Job Description: ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES: (1) Facilitating project panel meetings, supporting the panel chairs, and following up with notes of the panel meetings; (2) Working with prospective proposers resolving all matters relating to submission of acceptable proposals; (3) Evaluating research proposals for technical merit and participating in the process of selecting research agencies; (4) Becoming thoroughly familiar with the selected research plan and working with the agency and project panels in developing a detailed working plan to accomplish project objectives; (5) Working with administrative offices to provide information necessary for contract negotiation and execution; (6) Managing contracts by obtaining a clear meeting of minds on objectives and technical aspects of accomplishing objectives, visiting research agencies to become familiar with the organizations and their facilities and to monitor the work and assess comparative progress against project schedules, preparing visit reports setting forth progress and appraisal of agencies' accomplishments, and making recommendations concerning orderly pursuit of the various research projects; (7) Reviewing monthly and quarterly reports of progress and such other reports as needed for administration of the program; (8) reviewing all types of reports that emanate from research for clarity, completeness, adherence to CRP format, and fulfillment of research plan, and making recommendations as to acceptability; (9) Conducting periodic surveillance visits; (9) Making critical reviews of projects' progress with recommendations for improvement; (10) Interpreting the findings of each project with respect to applicability for improving practices; (11) Preparing Research Results Digests and other derivative products; (12) Preparing staff forewords for use in published reports; (13) Making presentations on research findings at technical meetings; (14) Coordinating with appropriate agencies for work within given subject areas to ensure that projects have the benefit of all available knowledge; (15) Providing staff support to NCHRP project selection committees in formulating annual research programs by reviewing and evaluating problems submitted for research. NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Related duties and special projects as assigned. JOB SPECIFICATIONS Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of the scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline. The position involves managing applied research projects primarily in the areas of materials science, and pavement design, preservation and maintenance. Strong program/project management and facilitation skills. Ability to understand and share technical/scientific issues with diverse audiences. Ability to solve problems using originality and ingenuity. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to independently develop and manage multiple and complex projects. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Ability to train and develop staff. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers, employees in other National Academies' departments, and external constituents through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff and constituents. Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Master's degree in civil engineering or equivalent knowledge Minimum Experience: 6 years of administrative or technical experience in broad areas of transportation research, two of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies' activities or equivalent outside activities. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and/or policy information in verbal and written form. Preferred Education: Ph.D. in related field preferred. Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel. Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None. Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Typically reports to board/program/division director. General direction is provided. Independently supervises project/program staff. Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations. Compensation: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $97,240 - $151,935. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. The National Academies' Statement on Diversity and Inclusion: To promote diversity and inclusion in the sciences, engineering, and medicine, we are committed to increasing the diversity of the National Academies' staff, members, and volunteers to reflect the populations we serve. We pledge to cultivate an environment and culture that promotes inclusion and values respectful participation of all individuals who help advance the mission of the institution. Equal Opportunity Employer: It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified. Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units. Job Family: PROG Employee Type: Employee Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5 City/State: Washington, District of Columbia | |