Senior Program Officer - NCHRP Implementation and Technology Transfer

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Keck Center

National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine

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Full time

Overview: <strong>Req. No.: R0001620</strong><br /><br />The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is one of six program units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conducts other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.&nbsp; The Board's mission is to promote innovation and progress in transportation through research.&nbsp; In an objective and interdisciplinary setting, TRB facilitates the sharing of information on transportation practice and policy by researchers and practitioners; stimulates research and offers research management services that promote technical excellence; provides expert advice on transportation policy and programs; and disseminates research results broadly and encourage their implementation.<br /><br />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, which is described in more detail at: trb.org/nchrp and https://www.trb.org/NCHRP/NCHRPImplementationSupportProgram.aspx. This Program is intended to assist program sponsors &ndash; primarily the state departments of transportation &ndash; in implementing the results of NCHRP research products within their organizations. Activities within the Program include building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, developing targeted information dissemination approaches, identifying and applying technology transfer techniques, creating scopes of work for implementation projects, soliciting proposals and selecting a qualified contractor, and monitoring project progress and impacts.&nbsp;<br /><br />Reporting to the NCHRP Implementation and Technology Transfer Program (ITTP) Manager, the Senior Program Officer (SPO) will be responsible for managing a comprehensive set of dissemination and implementation activities as well as contributing to Program activities for tracking the value, utility, and impact of CRP research products within distinct modal industries.&nbsp; A description of the NCHRP Implementation Support Program may be found at: http://www.trb.org/NCHRP/NCHRPImplementationSupportProgram.aspx<br /><br />Each year, the NCHRP Implementation Support Program supports 6-8 new implementation projects. Reporting to the NCHRP ITTP Manager, the incumbent will have prime responsibility for the management and execution of these implementation projects. The incumbent will serve as a liaison and develop productive relationships with CRP staff, volunteer panel members, program sponsors, research teams, and others, on project strategies relevant to dissemination and implementation of research results. This will include developing scopes of work for implementation projects, budget requirements and funding requests, technical requirements, data collection and reporting protocols, and targeted communications products and strategies.<br /><br />When appropriate, the incumbent will assist NCHRP staff and project panels with the development and maintenance of an implementation plan for other NCHRP projects, and assist with the preparation of funding requests for implementation activities beyond those included in project work plans and budgets.<br /><br />The incumbent may also manage a small number of projects in one or more of the IDEA (Innovative Ideas Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Programs:<br /><br />Highways: https://www.trb.org/IDEAProgram/IDEAHighway.aspx.<br />Transit: https://www.trb.org/IDEAProgram/IDEATransit.aspx<br />Rail Safety: https://www.trb.org/IDEAProgram/IDEASafety.aspx&nbsp;<br /><br />The IDEA programs fund proposals to demonstrate the validity of unproven but promising innovations, and to develop and test prototypes of proven concepts.&nbsp; The incumbent may also support IDEA program oversight panels&rsquo; project selection processes.&nbsp; The position will collaborate with existing IDEA program staff.
Responsibilities: <p><strong>ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Collaborate with NCHRP staff, project oversight panels, and contractors to develop and maintain implementation plans for each project; identify appropriate implementation activities; prepare funding requests;</p> </li> <li> <p>Plan, organize, and facilitate meetings of project panels in the later stages of research to plan implementation responsibilities and activities;</p> </li> <li> <p>Serve as the lead contact with agencies that will host implementation activities such as workshops, pilot projects, and peer exchanges;</p> </li> <li> <p>Prepare and manage contracts&nbsp; for firms or agencies selected to conduct implementation activities; ensure that contractors fulfill the terms of the contracts and objectives are achieved;</p> </li> <li> <p>Participate in bi-annual meetings of the IDEA oversight panel(s), and manage IDEA projects from project selection through completion;</p> </li> <li> <p>Develop appropriate means to communicate with specific target audiences;</p> </li> <li> <p>Promote and represent the program with various stakeholder groups;</p> </li> <li> <p>Prepare regular status reports as needed for administration of the program</p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES</strong></p> <p>Related duties and special projects as assigned.</p>
Requirements: <strong>Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: </strong>Excellent verbal and writing skills; substantial experience in project management, research, report writing, and facilitating the work of committees or panels; advanced knowledge of how to move research results into practice and use innovation and technology transfer strategies and techniques; experience with national and state transportation departments is strongly desired; ability to work independently and as part of a team on complex and diverse technical issues. Advanced knowledge of the scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline. 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&rsquo; departments, and external constituents through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff and constituents.<br /><strong>Minimum Education/Training Requirements: </strong>Master's degree in Engineering (civil engineering), Communications, Transportation Planning, Business Administration, or related disciplines, or equivalent knowledge<br /><strong>Minimum Experience: </strong>6 years of administrative or technical experience in broad areas of highway transportation, two of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies&rsquo; activities or equivalent outside activities. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and/or policy information in verbal and written form.<br /><strong>Preferred Education:</strong> Ph.D. in related field preferred.<br /><strong>Physical Capabilities: </strong>Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.<br /><strong>Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:</strong> None.<br /><strong>Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls:</strong> Reports to NCHRP Associate Manager for Implementation and Technology Transfer, National Cooperative Highway Research Program. General direction is provided.