PROGRAM OFFICER - NATIONAL COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM

Job Description Summary :

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 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 https : / / www.trb.org / NCHRP / NCHRP.aspx.

OVERVIEW :

The Program Officer (PO) plays a crucial role in the execution and management of NCHRP projects within TRB. The Program Officer will collaborate closely with NCHRP Senior Program Officers (SPOs) to contribute to the successful execution of projects primarily in the NCHRP.

The Program Officer will work under the direction of one or more SPOs to support expert panels established to guide research projects on a wide variety of transportation topics including Design, Bridges and Structures, Pavements and Materials, Maintenance, Construction, safety, Performance-Based Management, Knowledge Management, and Data Management.

The Program Officer will assist in preparing project statements, progress reports, and presentations; evaluating research reports;

initiating contracts; and monitoring research. The selected candidate will assist in program administration.

Job Description :

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES :

Technical Support and Execution :

Work under the guidance of the SPOs to :

• Prepare draft Proposal Review Summaries, Summaries of the Agency Selection Process, and notes of the panel meetings;
• Work with prospective proposers to resolve all matters relating to the submission of acceptable proposals;
• Assist in evaluating research proposals for technical merit and participate in the process of selecting research agencies;
• Review all types of reports (e.g., monthly and quarterly reports of progress) that emanate from research for clarity, completeness, adherence to CRP format, and fulfillment of research plan, and make recommendations to SPOs as to acceptability; and
• Draft and proofread correspondence, reports, and transmittal memoranda, including forewords for use in published reports.

Project and Program Coordination

Work under the guidance of the SPOs to :

• Coordinate with Senior Program Assistants on logistical arrangements for panel meetings, forums, and workshops;
• Coordinate with appropriate agencies for work within given subject areas to ensure that projects have the benefit of all available knowledge; and
• Coordinate periodic surveillance visits.

Collaboration and Learning

• Learn from the SPOs and apply knowledge to the assigned tasks.
• Collaborate with team members to enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Attend training sessions and workshops as needed.
• Collaborate with staff to support 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 :

The position involves assisting with the management of projects in the areas of safety, traffic engineering, and geometric design.

Must possess excellent verbal and written communication abilities, strong organizational skills, and substantial experience in project management, research, report writing, and working with volunteer committees or panels.

Ability to understand and share technical / scientific issues with diverse audiences. Ability to solve intellectual problems that are varied and complex using originality and ingenuity.

Ability to operate using appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to manage and develop projects.

Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. 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 : Three years of related professional experience. Four years of administrative or technical experience in broad areas of transportation research preferred.

Demonstrated basic proficiency in conveying scientific / technical / policy information in verbal and written form.

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 senior program officer or director. General direction is provided.

Supervises project / program staff with minimal oversight by director / senior program officer.

Compensation Range : 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 $88,450 - $110,560. 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.

Work Environment : Hybrid Office / Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting / sponsor locations.

The National Academies' Statement on Diversity and Inclusion :

We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences.

We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.

We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism;

upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.

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

PROG

Employee Type : Employee

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours :

37.5

City / State :

Washington, District of Columbia