Senior Program Officer - National Cooperative Highway Research Program

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Keck Center

National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine

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Full time

Overview: <strong>Req. No.: R0001771</strong><br /><br />The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is one of seven major divisions of the National Research Council&mdash;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.<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.<br /><br />The Senior Program Officer will manage projects primarily in the NCHRP. The Senior Program Officer will work with expert panels established for the purpose of guiding research projects and synthesis of highway practice projects on a wide variety of topics including highway planning, design, construction, safety, pavement and materials, hydraulics, and geotechnical engineering. The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for managing multiple projects and synthesis of highway practice projects, facilitating an expert panel review process, initiating contracts, monitoring research, and evaluating deliverables. The selected candidate will assist in program administration.
Responsibilities: <p><strong>ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Assembling panels of experts;</li> <li>Convening and facilitating expert panel meetings to define synthesis scopes of work, select contractors, and review deliverables;</li> <li>Managing the selection of knowledgeable contractors;</li> <li>Managing consultant level of effort, project schedule, and deliverables;</li> <li>Reviewing interim and final synthesis reports for clarity, completeness, adherence to CRP format, fulfillment of synthesis objectives, and making recommendations as to acceptability;</li> <li>Making critical reviews of projects&rsquo; progress with recommendations for improvement;</li> <li>Preparing staff forewords for use in published reports; and</li> <li>Providing staff support to the NCHRP synthesis project selection committee in formulating the annual research program by reviewing and evaluating problems submitted for research.</li> </ul> <p><br /><strong>NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES</strong><br /><br />Related duties and special projects as assigned.</p>
Requirements: <strong>Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: </strong>The position involves managing projects in the areas of highway planning, design, construction, safety, pavement and materials, hydraulics, and geotechnical engineering. Must possess excellent verbal, writing, and facilitation abilities, strong organizational skills, and substantial experience in project management, research, report writing, and working with committees or panels of volunteer subject matter experts.&nbsp;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&rsquo;s degree in a related field, or equivalent knowledge.<br /><strong>Minimum Experience:</strong> Six years of related professional experience, 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>Typically reports to board/program/division director. General direction is provided. Independently supervises project/program staff.