Senior Program Officer, Transportation Law - TRB Technical Activities Division (Part-time)

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine•Town of Johnstown, NY

4d•$105,230 - $144,680•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Officer, Transportation Law manages a portfolio of standing committees in the Transportation Research Board’s Legal Resources Section. The committees address 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; and risk management and tort liability. The role supports committees of up to 26 members and their development of TRB Annual Meeting sessions and workshops, research needs statements, webinars, and other transportation-law outputs. It also links the committees with other Technical Activities Division committees and the Cooperative Research Programs, including expert peer review of the CRP legal digest series, and organizes and oversees the Annual Workshop on Transportation Law. The position keeps current on issues and technical developments in its program areas, supports standing committees, arranges conferences and workshops, reviews and processes reports and papers, and travels to state transportation departments to discuss problems, potential solutions, and research programs. It also develops new program areas, serves as a topic-area liaison to TRB Cooperative Research Programs, responds to inquiries, and performs related duties. The officer supervises or assists in supervising support and other program staff. Depending on the applicant’s interests and abilities, the half-time role may be expanded to include developing programs or activities addressing emerging issues and broadening TRB’s sponsors, partners, stakeholders, and volunteer participation. The role requires advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline, strong program and project management and facilitation skills, and the ability to communicate technical issues to diverse audiences. The officer independently manages multiple complex projects, exercises substantial independent judgment, solves complex problems, builds effective teams and relationships, and communicates effectively with staff and external constituents. A master’s degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge and at least six years of relevant experience are required. A Juris Doctorate and education in relevant legal specializations are preferred. This is a half-time, benefits-eligible position with a hybrid office and telecommute environment and an expected onsite percentage of 60%.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.
At least six years of experience in legal research, regulatory policy, or transportation law.
Related professional experience demonstrating impact on the advancement of science or policy through successful completion of National Academies’ activities or equivalent outside activities.
High proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and/or policy information orally and in writing.
Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline.
Strong program/project management and facilitation skills.
Ability to understand and communicate technical issues to diverse audiences and to solve problems with originality and ingenuity.
Ability to serve as a resource in resolving complex problems and issues and to work with substantial latitude for independent judgment and action.
Ability to independently develop and manage multiple complex projects and work successfully in a team environment.
Ability to develop effective relationships with coworkers, employees in other TRB divisions, and external constituents through effective communication.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff and constituents.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods and ability to travel.
Collaborative work with professionals in fields such as civil engineering, policy and planning, and/or transportation law is desired.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Education in one or more legal specializations, such as construction, intergovernmental agreements, environmental litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury litigation, employment/civil rights, labor, or contracts.
Collaborative work with professionals in civil engineering, policy and planning, and/or transportation law.

Responsibilities

Manage standing committees in TRB’s Legal Resources Section, including their development of Annual Meeting sessions and workshops, research needs statements, webinars, and other outputs.
Communicate and coordinate with committee chairs, members, and friends; identify and gather research materials; contact potential committee members; and facilitate information flow among committees, staff, and relevant parties.
Connect Legal Resources Section committees with other Technical Activities Division standing committees and the Cooperative Research Programs, including expert peer review of the CRP legal digest series.
Organize and oversee the Annual Workshop on Transportation Law.
Keep abreast of issues and technical developments affecting assigned program areas and provide staff support to standing committees.
Arrange conferences, workshops, meetings, and elements of the TRB Annual Meeting program; develop budgets and agendas, invite presenters and participants, oversee logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepare written summaries.
Review and process reports and papers; draft, edit, synthesize, and prepare written products for publication, including committee reports and related materials.
Travel to state transportation departments to exchange information about problems, potential solutions, and current and proposed research programs.
Develop new topics and program areas and conduct background research for new studies, programs, or activities.
Serve as a topic-area liaison to TRB Cooperative Research Programs and respond to inquiries.
Manage assigned program or project finances, budgets, schedules, and expenditures, collaborating with financial staff as needed to ensure compliance.
Supervise or assist in supervising program and support staff.
Perform other related duties as assigned.