Senior Program Officer - National Cooperative Highway Research Program

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

Keck Center

National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine

<br /><br />The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. We marshal knowledge and expertise across disciplines to study complex and sometimes contentious issues, reach consensus based on the evidence, and identify the best path forward. https://www.nationalacademies.org/

keywords: about the transportation research board (trb),about the cooperative research program,position overview,project management & oversight,facilitation & coordination,expert panel coordination,research guidance & monitoring,proposal evaluation & selection,communication & reporting,program administration & contract management,stakeholder engagement & collaboration,continuous improvement & program development,education,experience,skills,physical capabilities,compensation,benefits,work environment

Full time

$101,130 - $158,015

Overview: Requisition Number: R0002474<br /> <br /> ** Cover Letter Required**<br /><br /><strong>About the Cooperative Research Program:</strong><br /><br />The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is one of seven divisions of the National Academies and provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. TRB mobilizes expertise and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation challenges accomplished through the hard work and dedication of more than 8,500 volunteers and a staff of 120 professionals.<br /><br />Through its Cooperative Research Program (CRP) division, TRB manages over 600 research projects, conducted by contractors, at any given time in the areas of airports, behavioral traffic safety, highways, and transit. TRB publishes approximately 800 peer-reviewed research papers per year and maintains the largest transportation research bibliographic database in the world with over 1.3 million records.<br /><br />Sponsors of TRB include State Departments of Transportation; the U.S. Department of Transportation and its agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research and Technology, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; the Department of Energy; the Environmental Protection Agency; and several transportation-related foundations and non-profit organizations.<br /><br /><strong>Position Overview:</strong><br /><br />The Senior Program Officer will manage and oversee research projects within the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), a key applied research initiative within the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The NCHRP is designed to develop practical, near-term solutions to a broad range of transportation issues. This role involves leading and facilitating research efforts in collaboration with expert volunteered panels across diverse transportation topics, such as safety, traffic engineering, geometric design. NCHRP does not conduct research directly; the research is conducted by contractors.<br /><br />This position requires strong communication, project management, and technical knowledge as well as the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and provide guidance on complex transportation research projects.<br /><br />This position offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with opportunities to influence the future of transportation research. The Senior Program Officer will play a vital role in advancing innovative solutions to real-world transportation challenges.
Responsibilities: <p><strong>Project Management &amp; Oversight</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead and manage multiple NCHRP projects, ensuring they align with NCHRP goals and objectives.</li> <li>Oversee the execution of research projects by providing guidance and direction to contractors to ensure high-quality, timely outcomes.</li> <li>Evaluate research reports, identify key findings, and ensure the practical application of results to transportation issues.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Facilitation &amp; Coordination</strong></p> <ul> <li>Organize and facilitate project panel meetings, ensuring proper follow-up with stakeholders, including documentation of meeting outcomes.</li> <li>Ensure effective communication and coordination among panel members, stakeholders, and research teams.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Expert Panel Coordination</strong></p> <ul> <li>Work closely with expert panels, guiding the development of project scopes and refining research questions.</li> <li>Facilitate communication between panel members and contractors, ensuring alignment on project objectives and progress.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Research Guidance &amp; Monitoring</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide ongoing oversight of both contractors and panels to ensure projects stay on track and meet established timelines, budgets, and objectives.</li> <li>Review monthly and quarterly progress reports, all research products produced under the project, evaluate research quality and completeness, and provide feedback to both contractors and panels to improve outcomes.</li> <li>Conduct contractor site visits to ensure alignment with research objectives.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Proposal Evaluation &amp; Selection</strong></p> <ul> <li>Assist the project panel in the review and evaluation of research proposals for technical merit, ensuring they meet NCHRP&rsquo;s standards and objectives.</li> <li>Manage the selection process of research agencies and provide feedback to proposal submitters on their submissions.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Communication &amp; Reporting</strong></p> <ul> <li>Prepare detailed requests for proposals, progress reports, and technical updates for various stakeholders.</li> <li>Present research findings at technical meetings and industry conferences and to program leadership.</li> <li>Prepare research summaries, including Research Results Digests and forewords for published reports.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Program Administration &amp; Contract Management</strong></p> <ul> <li>Assist in the administration of the NCHRP, including contract initiation, budget monitoring, and compliance with program guidelines.</li> <li>Work with administrative offices to provide information necessary for contract negotiation and execution.</li> <li>Manage contracts to ensure clarity of objectives and technical requirements. Visit contractors to assess progress, provide feedback, and ensure projects stay on track.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Stakeholder Engagement &amp; Collaboration</strong></p> <ul> <li>Build and maintain relationships with transportation agencies, industry professionals, and academic experts to encourage effective implementation of research findings.</li> <li>Coordinate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to leverage expertise and ensure projects benefit from cross-disciplinary knowledge.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Continuous Improvement &amp; Program Development</strong></p> <ul> <li>Identify opportunities for program enhancements and contribute to the strategic planning and continuous improvement of the NCHRP.</li> <li>Support the NCHRP problem statement selection process by reviewing and evaluating the submitted problem statements for inclusion in the annual research program.</li> </ul>
Requirements: <ul> <li> <p><strong>Education:</strong> A Master's degree or higher in civil engineering, transportation engineering, or a related field is required.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Minimum of 6 years of experience in transportation research, project management, or a related field.</p> </li> <li> <p>In-depth knowledge of transportation safety, traffic engineering, geometric design.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and technical experts.</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Skills:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.</p> </li> <li> <p>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.</p> </li> <li> <p>Familiarity with transportation research methodologies and the application of research findings in real-world transportation systems.</p> </li> <li> <p>Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment ​</p> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><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.</p> <p><strong>Compensation Range: </strong>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 $101,130 - $158,015. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate&rsquo;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. &nbsp;This is a benefits-eligible position. &nbsp; Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. &nbsp;For more information, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalacademies.org/documents/embed/link/LF2255DA3DD1C41C0A42D3BEF0989ACAECE3053A6A9B/file/DE952B0CB89F9D047D1B278FD24AFB6BB18447DB5E9B?noSaveAs=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a></p> <p><strong>Work Environment:&nbsp;</strong>The Senior Program Officer will be based in Washington, D.C., with the potential for occasional travel to project sites and conferences. The National Academies currently supports a hybrid work environment. The selected candidate should anticipate at least 4 days per week of onsite work for the first year of the assignment to facilitate onboarding.</p> <p><strong><br />The National Academies&rsquo; Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:<br /></strong>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.</p> <p>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Equal Opportunity Employer:<br /></strong>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&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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.</p>