Senior Program Officer - TRB Technical Activities Division

Job Description Summary:

** Cover Letter Required **

Responsible for developing and managing highly complex programs or projects in the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Technical Activities Division (TAD). Develops program or project strategy and budget, staffing requirements and ensures the program/project meets its stated objectives. Serves as liaison between committee members, the National Academies, and other applicable parties. May supervise staff. Develops prospectuses and projects and may negotiate funding with sponsors.

Requiring advanced knowledge, incumbent performs work primarily intellectual and/or analytical in character. The job’s primary focus is on managing a portfolio of technical activities carried out through standing technical committees and other TAD volunteer groups. Portfolio of activities typically addresses a transportation mode, a broad disciplinary scope, or a strategic objective involving multiple modes and/or disciplines. Establishes processes and procedures consistent with TAD policies and standard procedures to ensure the effective and efficient operation of a complex function. Has authority to take whatever action deemed advisable or necessary, subject to organizational and departmental policies and rules. Provides technical direction and performance reviews for supervised staff. Provides innovative solutions to complex problems that impact program's or project’s success. Reports directly to Technical Activities Division Director or Deputy Director for Program Content.

The incumbent is responsible for: keeping abreast of issues, research, and technological developments related to their portfolio; providing staff oversight and support for standing technical committees and other volunteer groups related to their portfolio and/or assigned by the TAD Director or Deputy Director for Program Content; overseeing and assisting volunteers in planning technical content of conferences, meetings, and workshops; and coordinating logistical and other aspects of conferences, meetings, and workshops with appropriate TAD Operations Group staff; reviewing or overseeing review of papers and other publications according to NASEM and TAD Publishing Group policies and procedures; carrying out TAD’s Field Visit Program; developing new sponsors and affiliates to support the Core Program financially and maintaining ongoing technical relations with current sponsors; establish and maintain liaison with relevant organizations related to incumbent’s portfolio; and possibly supervising other staff.

The portfolio of this Senior Program Officer position will consist primarily of Rail Transportation and Freight Systems. The successful candidate will have a broad range of knowledge and experience in the rail and freight areas, including but not limited to logistics, warehousing and distribution, regulation, railroad engineering and/or operations, passenger rail, and commercial aspects of the freight and rail industries. On average, a TAD SPO handles: 12 standing technical committees with as many as 36 members each; 24 subcommittees of unlimited size; 1,500 committee “Friends”; 2 conferences of 100-500 paying attendees per year; 55 Annual Meeting sessions; and 480 papers to be peer-reviewed and scheduled in the Annual Meeting. The exact numbers of these items differs among technical specialties and may vary from year to year.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. Independently manages a portfolio of standing technical committees and other volunteer groups in one or more modal, disciplinary, or broad objective areas. Is responsible for overseeing all activities of these committees and volunteers, ensuring that they conform to TAD policies and procedures and contribute to the mission of TRB, with particular focus on critical issues or other top priorities and emerging issues as they relate to research and innovation. Designs and manages multiple and/or highly complex programs or projects. Works with volunteer leaders to develop committee and activity strategies and plans. Develops budgets and staffing requirements and ensures stated objectives are met. Conducts program or project evaluations.

2. Manages the formation, rotation, and dissolution of standing technical committees and other volunteer groups according to TAD policies and procedures. Works with committee chairs to ensure that committee membership is balanced with respect to relevant perspectives and potential biases and reflects appropriate demographic diversity. Supports chair in encouraging equitable engagement of committee members and other volunteers. Leads convening activities such as meetings, forums or workshops. Communicates and coordinates with the chair and other volunteers. Identifies and gathers research materials. Solicits and contacts potential volunteers. Facilitates the flow of information among volunteers, staff, and