Job Description Summary:
As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. For example, committees, researchers, and staff are currently focused on advancing resilient infrastructure, exploring transformational technology, and caring for the public’s health and safety. For more, please see the TRB 2020 Annual Report. TRB’s mission is divided into three primary roles: Research, Convene, Advise.
The Technical Activities Division (TAD) provides a forum for transportation professionals to identify, facilitate, and share research and information related to transportation. The Division carries out activities on behalf of TRB sponsors and the transportation community through a network of nearly 200 standing committees comprising more than 5,000 volunteers.
Responsible for developing and managing one or more programs or projects in the TAD with minimal oversight by Director or Senior Program Officer. Develops program or project strategy and budget, supervises staff, and ensures program or project meets objectives. Assembles committees/panels and serves as staff liaison between committee/panel members and the National Academies. Develops prospectuses and raises funds for new projects.
Incumbent applies in-depth professional level knowledge to independently solve a full range of complex problems. 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. The work is primarily intellectual or analytical in character, requiring advanced knowledge. Assignments are broadly defined and require judgment and creativity to complete. Incumbent has authority to take whatever action deemed advisable or necessary, subject to organizational and departmental policies and rule, and is often responsible for oversight or management of other staff. Typically reports to Senior Program Officer or Director.
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 their supervisor; 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. Incumbent may participate in TAD’s Field Visit Program; in activities related to sponsor support and development of new sponsors and affiliates for TRB’s Core Program; and in activities related to establishing and maintaining liaison with relevant organizations related to incumbent’s portfolio.
1. Manages a portfolio of standing technical committees and other volunteer groups in one or more modal, disciplinary, or broad objective areas under the supervision of a Senior Program Officer or Director. 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 other applicable parties.
3. Conducts workshops and/or meetings. Develops agendas, invites presenters and participants, oversees multimedia presentations, coordinates with staff in TAD’s Operations Group on meeting logistics, and prepares written summaries.
4. Prepares background papers and technical summaries and syntheses. Develops written products (e.g., reports, proceedings, white papers, e-circulars). Reviews committee-produced products in coordination with TRB Report Review Officer. Drafts and edits materials for publication; cooperates with TAD Publishing Group to identify expert peer reviewers and to ensure that TAD publishing standards and procedures are adhered to.
5. In collaboration with committee chairs and members and under general guidance of the incumbent’s supervisor and the Deputy Director for Program Content, guides the subject-matter content of activities such as the TRB Annual Meeting, specialty conferences, workshops, and meetings. Oversees the overall technical program of these activities to ensure relevance to TAD priorities, avoidance of unnecessary duplication with other committees’ work, appropriate balance of perspectives, and avoidance of conflicts of interest. Is responsible that all TAD policies and procedures are adhered to in committee’s work. Manages development of agendas and may coordinate invitation of presenters and participants.
6. Cooperates with other staff in the TAD Program Content Group, the TAD Operation Group, and the TAD Publishing Group in the planning and logistics of activities such as the TRB Annual Meeting, specialty conferences, and journal publication to ensure smooth functioning and consistent application of policies across all committees and activities. Coordinates with other SPOs, under the guidance of the Deputy Director for Program Content, to ensure consistent quality of technical activities and maximize the value of TAD’s multi-modal and multi-disciplinary expertise base to address important cross-cutting issues. May be called upon to take on or assist with planning tasks in support of the TAD Operations and Publishing Groups, which require some knowledge of technical content and/or volunteer functions and needs.
7. Responsible for communications among committees in incumbent’s portfolio and between TAD and the committees and committee leadership. Responsible for communications activities related to assigned programs or projects. In coordination with TAD and TRB communications staff, publicizes programs and other priorities. Works with Communications professionals to develop complex and content-rich materials and websites to provide interest groups with information generated from and for activities.
8. Where applicable, manages dissemination of reports and other types of publications. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings.
9. May supervise technical or procedural work of other staff under the overall guidance of relevant TAD policies and authorities. Conducts performance reviews. Ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Ensures consistent application of organizational policies.
10. Responsible for financial management of assigned programs or projects, including overseeing budget and schedule. Collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.
11. May participate in field visits to state departments of transportation and other transportation agencies, universities, and organizations to gather information about research and innovation, exchange knowledge, and provide information about TRB activities and services and how to get involved as a sponsor, affiliate, or TAD volunteer. Conducts other communication and information exchange activities with sponsors, agencies, universities, and other organizations through web meetings, webinars, and other methods that may not involve travel.
12. Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, schools, and other organizations. Represents the unit and committee within and outside the National Academies.
13. Maintains ongoing relationships with major sponsors and develops new sponsors for TRB’s Core Program. Seeks patrons and exhibitors for the TRB Annual Meeting and specialty conferences in collaboration with staff responsible for patrons and exhibitors and, as appropriate, with volunteers.
14. Oversees planning for conferences, supporting committees in developing program content, ensuring that TAD policies and procedures are followed, and coordinating with staff in TAD’s Operations and Publishing Groups.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline. Strong program/project management skills. 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.
Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Master's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience. Demonstrated basic proficiency in conveying scientific/technical/policy information in verbal and written form.
Preferred Education: Ph.D. in related field preferred.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.
Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Typically reports to senior program officer or director. General direction is provided. Supervises project/program staff with minimal oversight by director/senior program officer.