CDL Research Assistant

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is seeking a CDL driver/educator to support the Sharing the Road with Trucks program and deliver hands-on demonstrations for teens and community stakeholders. The role involves driving one of VTTI’s tractor-trailers and traveling across states to educate on road safety and vehicle dynamics.

Ideal candidates are outgoing, confident speakers with strong communication skills and the ability to engage large groups.

Qualifications

• Holds valid Class A CDL with good standing.
• Minimum of one year driving articulated CMVs.
• Valid DOT physical.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced setting.
• Willing to operate a range of vehicles with training.
• Excels with public speaking to large groups.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong work habits and team independence.
• Creative, independent, and highly motivated.

Responsibilities

• Lead and assist Sharing the Road tractor-trailer demonstrations in class and on-site.
• Support research tasks with participants during data collection.
• Provide program and research support as needed.

Skills

CDL Class A

Public speaking

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Safety compliance

Problem solving

Vehicle operation training willingness

Education

Education background

Tools

Excel

Office suite

Job description

Job Description

Dedicated to solving the most challenging problems for truck and bus developers, fleets, and drivers/operators. VTTI’s Division of Freight, Transit, & Heavy Vehicle Safety (DHVY) is seeking hard working, innovative, flexible, and qualified individual with an interest to learn, participate in, and deliver transportation related research and as well as putting that research to practice. VTTI’s research to practice includes the highly successful Sharing the Road with Trucks outreach program is dedicated to teaching driver education students, and the community, how to safely share the road with trucks and other large vehicles. VTTI has reached over 85,000 teen and adult drivers in the past 7 years and intends to continue educating the public about the dangers that come from being on the road with commercial motor vehicles. Our institute seeks a CDL holder to help drive our trucks and take our program on the road to states across the country to educate novice drivers and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be outgoing, confident, and a dynamic speaker whose message resonates with teens.

Additionally, VTTI conducts large truck and bus research projects which range from small test-track experiments using a single next-generation heavy vehicle to large naturalistic studies involving hundreds of vehicles on live roadways. The research often features data acquisition systems to unobtrusively collect various sensor elements with the aim of characterizing the roadway, vehicle, and driver performance. These measures and robust data sets are analyzed to address specific research questions that tend to focus on the characterization of existing transportation problems (e.g. crash causation) and/or the performance/development of advanced or automated vehicle systems (e.g. crash avoidance technology). This role requires demonstrated ability to consistently follow safety procedures for vehicle operations, exercise discretion and judgment as well as problem solving, communication, organization, and documentation skills. As a member of the team, this position requires previous experience conducting similar tasks in a related field.

The ideal candidate will also have a passion for road safety, and expertise in articulating scientific findings to engage and motivate the public.

At the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), a world-leading research enterprise, we are working with government agencies, transportation and safety organizations, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers, and others to overcome challenges and improve transportation safety and performance on the world’s roads. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4VWviw5JA).

Transportation affects the safety and quality of lives of almost everyone. You can play a part in saving lives by educating drivers about the safety countermeasures and risks associated with commercial motor vehicles.

Key responsibilities

1. Sharing the Road Events (60%) - Driving one of VTTI’s Sharing the Road tractor-trailers and leading and/or assisting both in class and hands-on demonstration components of the program. Creating an inclusive, informative, and engaging learning environment.
2. Research Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver (30%) - to assist with conducting various research tasks. This may include interaction with participants during data collection
3. Program/Research Support (10%)

This position will involve up to 50% travel. This could include travel to any of the 50 states. Ideal candidate will reside in Blacksburg, New River Valley, or Roanoke areas.

In order to remain compliant with VT Policy 4061 and to incorporate required DOT Hiring Practices, several pre-employment criteria will be required: conviction and driving record check, pre-employment drug screening, driving record reviews, FMSCA Clearinghouse queries, 49 CFR 391.21 requirements (12 requirements of application), 49 CFR 40.25(j) requirements (drug testing in last 2 years), 49 CFR 391.31 requirements (road test), 49 CFR 391.51 (b) requirements (driver qualification file), and 49 CFR 391.23 requirements (Safety and Performance History). The successful candidate (s) will be required to provide copies of their CDL and Medical Certificates. There will be annual Safety and Performance Investigations via the Clearinghouse for those that have operated CMVs for another employer in the last 3 years.

Required Qualifications

• Currently holds a valid Class A CDL in good standing.
• Has a minimum of one year experience driving an articulated commercial motor vehicle.
• Has a valid and up to date DOT physical.
• Strong communication skills and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced setting.
• Willingness to be trained to operate a range of vehicles for testing.
• Excels with public speaking to large groups.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong work habits and the ability to work independently as well as with a team.
• Creative, independent, and highly motivated.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or training in education, business administration, engineering, or psychology with a strong background in education with high school teens.
• Demonstrated experience drafting research protocols directed at data collection, data download, data reduction, and data analysis using specialized human factors techniques and methods.
• Demonstrated proficiency with research software (i.e. strong Excel skills, office suite).

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Starting at $25/hr; Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

Up to 30

Review Date

10/14/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Natalie Jett at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.