Program Officer - National Cooperative Highway 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 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.
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