Senior Program Officer, Transportation Law - TRB Technical Activities Division (Part-time)
National Academy of Sciences
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The National Academies is seeking a Senior Program Officer, Transportation Law, to oversee standing committees within TRB's Legal Resources Section. This half-time-to-full-time role will manage committees, lead sessions, and coordinate research outputs on transportation law topics, reporting to a team leader with potential expansion to new programs.
Hybrid work is available with onsite duties, travel to state departments, and collaboration across divisions.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in a related field; equivalent knowledge.
- Six years of experience in legal research, regulatory policy, or transportation law.
- Strong program/project management and facilitation skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication at all staff levels.
Responsibilities
- Leads convening activities such as meetings, forums or workshops; coordinates with chairs, members and friends; facilitates information flow among committees and staff.
- Conducts conferences, workshops and meetings; develops budgets, agendas, invites presenters, oversees logistics and prepares summaries.
- Develops written products (reports, proceedings) and edits materials for publication; synthesizes data for studies.
- Supports committee members in drafting reports; assists in writing sections and ensuring format and grammar.
- Manages finances of programs; oversees budget and schedule; collaborates with financial staff on compliance.
- Develops new topics and program areas; conducts background research for new studies and activities.
Skills
Education
Job description
NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is a major division of the National Academies. 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. In an objective and interdisciplinary setting, TRB facilitates the sharing of information on transportation practice and policy by researchers and practitioners; stimulates research and offers research management services that promote technical excellence; provides expert advice on transportation policy and programs; and disseminates research results broadly and encourages their implementation. The TRB Technical Activities Division provides a forum for transportation professionals to identify research needs and to share information on research and issues of interest. The Division's staff of specialists in each mode and discipline works with a network of volunteers to carry out activities on behalf of TRB sponsors and the transportation community. This network includes members and friends of 100 standing committees.
The portfolio of this Senior Program Officer, Transportation Law will consist of standing committees in TRB's Legal Resources Section. This includes committees with a focus on: Select Topics in Transportation Law, Public Transportation and Intermodal Operations Law, Transportation Procurement and Contract Law, Developments and Advancements in Transportation Technology Law, Environmental Law in Transportation Law, and Risk Management and Tort Liability.
Managing the committees with as many as 26 members each and their development of TRB Annual Meeting sessions and workshops, research needs statements, webinars, and other outputs related to transportation law issues; serving as the link between the committees and a broad range of other Technical Activities Division standing committees and with the Cooperative Research Programs (CRP), including expert peer review of the CRP legal digest series; and organizing and overseeing the Annual Workshop on Transportation Law.
Keeping abreast of issues and technical developments affecting the SPOs program areas; providing staff support to the standing committees; arranging conferences, workshops and elements of the TRB Annual Meeting program; reviewing and processing reports and papers; traveling to state transportation departments to exchange information about problems and potential solutions and about current and proposed research programs; developing new program areas; serving as a topic area liaison to TRB Cooperative Research Programs; responding to inquiries; and performing other related duties as assigned. Also supervises the work of support and other program staff associated with the program area.
- Leads convening activities such as meetings, forums or workshops. Communicates and coordinates with the committee chairs members and friends. Identifies and gathers research materials and contacts potential committee members. Facilitates the flow of information among committee members, staff, and other applicable parties.
- Conducts conferences, workshops and/or meetings. Develops budgets, agendas, invites presenters and participants, oversees meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares written summaries.
- Develops written products (e.g., reports, proceedings,). Drafts and edits materials for publication. For studies and other applicable programs, synthesizes and edits research findings and technical data and determines the relevance of data for purposes of study.
- Supports committee members in all aspects of work. For studies, assistance is provided in preparing draft reports, including writing sections of report based on committee input and review and editing the report for format, consistency, and grammar.
- Responsible for financial management of assigned programs or projects, including overseeing budget and schedule and authorizing expenditures. As required, collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.
- Develops new topics and program areas. Conducts background research on topics for new studies, programs, or activities.
The essential job duties described (above) define the required responsibilities of this half-time position. Depending on the interest and abilities of the applicant, the position may be expanded to include developing one or more new programs or activities aimed at strengthening TRB's role in other emerging issues and broadening TRB's sponsor base, partner and stakeholder network, and volunteer participation.
Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline. Strong program/project management and facilitation skills. Ability to understand and share technical issues with diverse audiences. Ability to solve problems using originality and ingenuity. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to independently develop and manage multiple and complex projects. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers, employees in other TRB divisions, and external constituents through effective communication. Excellent oral and written communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff and constituents.
Master's degree in a related field, or equivalent knowledge.
Six years of experience in legal research, regulatory policy, or transportation law, including related professional experience with demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies' activities or equivalent outside activities. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and/or policy information in oral and written form. Collaborative work with fellow professionals in fields such as civil engineering, policy and planning, and/or transportation law is desired.
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. Education in one or more legal specializations, e.g., construction, intergovernmental agreements, environmental litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury litigation, employment/civil rights, labor and/or contracts.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.
None.
Reports to Team Leader. General direction is provided. Supervise or assists in the supervision of program staff.
An estimated annualized (full time equivalent) compensation range for this position is $105,230 - $144,680.
Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’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. This is a benefits-eligible position.
- medical insurance
- dental insurance
- vision insurance
- life insurance
- disability coverage
- retirement and savings benefits
- leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave
- transportation subsidies
- education assistance
Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.
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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. 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. Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.
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 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. 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.
The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies: An Overview The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. View our Publications: The National Academies Press
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