CDL Research Assistant

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 a hard-working, innovative, flexible, and qualified individual with an interest in transportation-related research. This role involves putting research into practice, including the Sharing the Road outreach program, which educates driver education students and the community on safely sharing the road with 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 of being on the road with commercial motor vehicles. This position requires a CDL holder to drive trucks and take the 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, ranging from test-track experiments to large naturalistic studies involving hundreds of vehicles on live roadways. This research often features data acquisition systems to collect sensor data for characterizing roadway, vehicle, and driver performance. These measures are analyzed to address research questions focused on crash causation and/or the performance/development of advanced or automated vehicle systems. This role requires demonstrated ability to follow safety procedures for vehicle operations, exercise discretion and judgment, and possess 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), we work with government agencies, transportation and safety organizations, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to improve transportation safety and performance. This role offers the opportunity to play a part in saving lives by educating drivers about safety countermeasures and risks associated with commercial motor vehicles.

Requirements

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.
Criminal conviction check.
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).
49 CFR 391.23 requirements (Safety and Performance History).
Provide copies of their CDL and Medical Certificates.
Annual Safety and Performance Investigations via the Clearinghouse for those that have operated CMVs for another employer in the last 3 years.

Nice To Haves

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).

Responsibilities

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.
Assisting with conducting various research tasks, which may include interaction with participants during data collection.
Program/Research Support.