Program Manager for Transportation System Operations

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is currently hiring a Program Manager for Transportation System Operations, a full-time position located in our Washington, DC office.

Nature of Position:

This position reports to the Program Director, Operations and is responsible for AASHTO’s Committee on Transportation System Operations (CTSO) – the lead AASHTO committee for Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) and TSMO technology programs, including ITS Operations and Research.

As the AASHTO liaison for CTSO, the incumbent ensures the effective operation of all related programs and projects. This includes acting as a representative of AASHTO on contractual and policy matters, attending meetings, providing both policy and procedural advice, advising on and development of meeting agendas and task force staffing, conducting and facilitating technical webinars, disseminating informational material to committee members, and providing other assistance as required.

The Program Manager is also responsible for a variety of technical operations initiatives led by AASHTO’s CTSO. This incumbent is involved in technical reviews and responsible for supporting state DOT members through coordination with other organizations—including the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA), and the Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE)—in providing technical advice and support to members on intelligent transportation systems (ITS), Digital Infrastructure development and implementation. The incumbent will conduct periodic peer-exchange training and education sessions for state DOTs in collaboration with the USDOT via ongoing and upcoming ITS and Digital Infrastructure projects and contracts, and the incumbent will develop technical scopes, briefing papers, and presentations on ITS, Operations technology and Operations at the state DOT level.

The incumbent will be responsible with supervision from the CTSO Program Director to directly manage the following CTSO Subcommittees, Working Groups and Community of Practice:

1. CTSO Subcommittee on Technology
2. CTSO Subcommittee on Freight
3. Research Development and Implementation Coordination
4. CTSO Working Group on Communications Technologies (includes Frequency Coordination Program)
5. Traveler Information Systems Community of Practice
6. Transportation Incident Management Community of Practice
7. Support the Transportation Operations Manual (TOM) Technical Committee

The incumbent will be responsible to collaborate with the following working groups and programs within AASHTO Committees and other AASHTO led initiatives:

1. CTSO Research Coordinators
2. Committee on Transportation System Security and Resilience (CTSSR) Steering Committee
3. CTSO Subcommittee on Operations
4. Alignment of technology and TSMO
5. TSMO & Safety Alignment

The incumbent serves as lead liaison role with the following working groups and programs within AASHTO Committees and other AASHTO led initiatives:

1. National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) ITS, Operations and Digital Infrastructure Projects
2. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Work Zone Data Initiative and Data Exchange (WZDI/WZDx)
3. TRB Subcommittee on Simulation, including Analytical tools for assessing Technology and TSMO (including micro-simulation)
4. ITS technical resources and workforce development (collaboration through FHWA Operations Office and with USDOT ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Program)
5. Advancing Next Generation Transportation Management Center (TMC) concepts
6. Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems in TSMO

The details of these programs and other pertinent particulars are provided in AASHTO CTSO Operations Guidelines and can be found at https://systemoperations.transportation.org/.

Additionally, this position will lead the management of the AASHTO’s radio frequency coordination program, including supporting other communications spectrum-related functions both within and outside AASHTO. The incumbent serves as AASHTO’s principal technical coordinator on wireless telecommunications and spectrum activities and is responsible for ensuring that member departments remain well informed of relevant developments in wireless communications systems and emerging wireless technologies. The position advises state communications managers of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rulemaking initiatives; new research developments in wireless communications; and represents AASHTO and member states before the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and other related organizations. The position also ensures that AASHTO properly fulfills its obligations as the designated National Coordinator for the Highway Maintenance Radio Frequencies, including overseeing AASHTO’s contract for processing and review of FCC radio station applications.

This position will also assist the Program Director, Operations, on additional assignments related to AASHTO’s operations efforts and provide coordination and expertise on technology issues to several AASHTO committees related to transportation systems management and operations, including the Committee on Traffic Engineering (CTE), the Committee on Maintenance (COM), and the Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Working Group.

The incumbent serves as the AASHTO liaison to a number of other program-related associations and organizations including the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC), the Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC), and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC).

Position Requirements:

The successful candidate will have about nine years of professional experience working with systems operation, ITS, and/or telecommunications, preferably in the transportation industry. A bachelor’s degree in transportation or public policy-related discipline is required, and evidence of a higher degree of professional development, such as a postgraduate education or professional registration, is preferred. Additional education or experience in ITS, transportation operations, project delivery, program administration, FCC regulations, and contract management is desirable.

The candidate must have excellent written and oral communication skills. The incumbent must also have well-developed computer skills, including demonstrated competence with word processing, web site use, and presentation development. The candidate should also have a broad knowledge of the technical and policy aspects of transportation systems operations, ITS, and Digital Infrastructure issues, and expertise in federal rulemaking processes. Experience in program and contract management, and business development is desired.

The incumbent must be able to travel up to 30 days per year.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to recruiter@aashto.org by Friday, July 19^th, 2024.

Who We Are:

AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing transportation departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. We represent all transportation modes including: air, highways, public transportation, active transportation, rail, and water. Our goal is to foster the development, operation, and maintenance of an integrated national transportation system that is safe and efficient for every individual. We strive to educate the public and key decision makers about the critical role that transportation plays in securing a good quality of life and sound economy for our nation.

The culture displayed at AASHTO is one of inclusiveness. AASHTO fosters a supportive working environment for staff and focuses on both the professional and personal successes of employees. Additionally, employees benefit from a collective workplace that genuinely cares about them and what they do.

Perks and Benefits:

This position would primarily report out of our Washington, DC office located in Metro Center. AASHTO offers employees hybrid work flexibilities, and this role may be approved to work remotely up to 2-3 days per week.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 – 110,000 annually.

Additionally, as a full-time employee, you are eligible for:

• A retirement plan with a highly competitive matching and contribution structure
• Comprehensive health insurance benefits
• A robust transit benefit
• Generous leave accrual
• Flexible work schedules and telework options

As an equal opportunity employer, AASHTO is committed to ensuring a diverse and equitable workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected category under Federal law or the laws of the District of Columbia.