Senior Program Officer, Marine Transportation and Intermodal Freight, TRB Technical Activities Division

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES RELATED TO MARINE BOARD PROGRAM DIRECTOR ROLE:

• Serves as TRB liaison with Marine Board sponsors, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Ocean Service, the Office of Naval Research, the Supervisor of Savage and Diving of the Naval Sea Systems Command, the Maritime Administration, and any other agencies with stewardship missions related to marine transportation that may become future sponsors.

• Serves as liaison with numerous professional organizations involved in marine transportation and freight systems.

• Develops Marine Board program/project strategy and budget, staffing requirements and ensures the programs/projects meet stated objectives.

• Manages the rotation of Marine Board membership in accordance with the policies and procedures of the National Research Council and ensures the appropriate balance of experience and perspectives to cover the Marine Board's scope related to marine transportation and the offshore industries.

• Develops Marine Board project prospectuses in high impact areas and negotiates funding with Marine Board sponsor agencies and other organizations. Coordinates joint project opportunities with related National Research Council Program Centers.

• Facilitates communication among Marine Board members, sponsoring agencies, and project committees. Conducts large and small workshops/meetings for the Marine Board. Develops agendas, invites presenters and participants, oversees meeting logistics, and prepares written summaries.

• Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, schools, and other non-profit organizations. Represents TRB and the Marine Board within and outside the National Academies.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES RELATED TO STANDING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES:

• 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.

• Manages the rotation of assigned standing technical committees and other volunteer groups according to TAD policies and procedures. Ensures that committee membership is balanced with respect to relevant perspectives and potential biases. Supports chair in encouraging high levels of 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• In collaboration with committee chairs and members, 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Where applicable, manages dissemination of reports and other types of publications. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Works with TAD Publishing Group to prepare dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings.

• May supervise technical or procedural work of other staff under the overall guidance of relevant TAD policies and authorities. Identifies staff training needs and facilitates acquisition of appropriate training. Mentors staff. Initiates personnel actions. Conducts performance reviews. Ensures consistent application of organizational policies.

• Responsible for financial management of assigned programs or projects, including overseeing budget and schedule. Collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.

• Conducts 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Advanced knowledge of the scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline. Strong program/project management and facilitation skills. Ability to understand and share technical/scientific 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 within policies and processes that apply across unit. 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 train and develop staff. 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. Ability to exercise leadership with volunteers to achieve institutional goals and adhere to institutional policies, while respecting volunteer expertise and independence.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:Master's degree in a related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience:Six years of related professional experience, two of which were in a supervisory capacity. 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 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:Reports to Technical Activities Division Director, Deputy Director, or Manager. General direction is provided. Supervises project/program staff.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.

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