TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH MANAGER 51061

11/01/91 A

This is the first level class in the Transportation Research Management series which oversee the conduct of professional transportation research activities leading to innovative and improved technology and practices in transportation engineering and management systems through applied and conceptual research, technology transfer and technical assistance activities. Positions in this class function as senior staff to the Transportation Research Director and administer one of the defined broad technical program areas within an agency-wide research unit. Typically positions in this class plan and conduct advanced/technically complex research; function as a program administrator with personnel and budgetary responsibilities for a team of professional transportation research scientists in the conduct of large scale, comprehensive, multidisciplinary research; provide technical assistance and consultation; and are responsible for technology transfer. Some positions in this class may function as research program administrators with minimal research activities but have larger professional research staffs reporting and the positions focus on performing consultative and technical assistance activities for executives and top level managers department-wide. This class is distinguished from the Transportation Research Director by the latter's responsibility for direction and management of all functional research and support programs within the Virginia Transportation Research Council.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty in administering a major transportation research technical program including developing and overseeing budget, personnel management responsibilities and coordination of resources. Determines personnel needs for an assigned program area; develops work schedules; manages and coordinates program activities to meet goals and objectives. Participates in long-term and ongoing research planning. Projects future program needs of the agencies to identify and plan research based on familiarity with agency-wide functions, federal requirements, literature searches, application of accepted theories and principles and theoretical applications. Coordinates projects in an assigned technical program area to ensure funding, manpower and availability of resources. Takes a leadership role in providing technical review and oversight of work plans, research design and development of conclusions and recommendations for lower level research scientists. Gives technical assistance to Departmental executives and managers, peers, and transportation industries by providing expert technical advice and consultation in specialty areas. Conducts complex research projects including development of work plans; collects and analyzes laboratory or other technical and field experiment data, applies broad theories or theoretical applications, and develops conclusions and recommendations. Authors research reports and publications to present research results to transportation and academic communities. Serves as liaison with research professionals from Federal agencies and national professional research organizations and committees.

Supervision Given: Positions provide administrative supervision for a staff of Transportation Research Scientists, Senior Scientists, and other technical and support staff within a broad technical program area. Performs personnel management activities. Provides technical direction and training of new staff members. Coordinates activities within a program area and oversees wage employees, faculty and contract staff to manage specific research projects or serves in a lead capacity of team projects.

Supervision Received: Positions receive administrative direction from the Transportation Research Director.

Scope: Positions in this class plan, develop and conduct and/or manage research within a specific technical research program area in support of multiple agency-wide transportation engineering technology and/or related technical and management operations; research results may be shared statewide, nationally or internationally in transportation and academic fields.

Impact of Actions: Study results, conclusions and recommendations have serious impact on the development of new and revised engineering and scientific techniques; technical operations; materials and procedures; economic development and operational management of the agencies; safety of the traveling public; as well as effecting substantial cost savings in a transportation agency or agencies with transportation interests.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with agency managers, department heads, state and federal professional researchers, faculty members to conduct research, provide expert technical advice and consultation in fields of specialized research, to present new and innovative research results and to resolve problems.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of transportation research methodology and techniques; principles and practices of transportation specialty areas which may include civil engineering, structural engineering, highway construction, maintenance, materials, traffic, safety, and other fields related to transportation issues. Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of administration and management; supervisory principles and techniques.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability ot plan and manage complex research programs; conduct research projects applying advanced theory and theoretical applications; lead other research professionals in research team efforts; transfer research knowledge through seminars and course work; and provide expert consultation. Ability to develop budgets and work plans, establish goals and objectives and supervise others.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with advanced course work in a transportation technical specialty area such as, but not limited to, civil engineering, structural engineering, transportation planning, chemistry, environmental or other fields related to transportation issues.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience in conducting comprehensive research in transportation, management of research projects and leading research teams. Experience related to transportation operations sufficient to be knowledgeable of state and national transportation efforts and to identify research needs.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was developed in November 1991 as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces some of the positions in the Highway Research Senior Scientist class.