The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is currently hiring a Program Manager for Environment, a position located in Washington, DC.

Under the leadership of the Program Director for Environment, the Program Manager for Environment serves as the liaison to the AASHTO Resilient and Sustainable Transportation Systems (RSTS) Steering Committee and manages the RSTS Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The Program Manager also serves as a liaison to the Standing Committee on Environment (SCOE) Air Quality, Climate Change, and Energy Subcommittee (AQ Subcommittee). Additionally, the Program Manager oversees and directs various activities under the Center for Environmental Excellence (the Center) by AASHTO. Duties are performed with input from the Program Director and oversight groups consisting of state transportation agency representatives.

As liaison to the above committees, the Program Manager’s primary duty is to ensure AASHTO members are cognizant of key technical, legislative and regulatory issues related to climate change, extreme weather, air quality and other related environmental topics; and ensuring members are aware of how general environmental topics relate to transportation. The Program Manager monitors the legislative, regulatory and technical activities of appropriate Congressional committees, federal agencies and other public interest groups and associations, and provides this information to members to assist them in policy deliberation and development.

In managing the RSTS Technical Assistance Program, the Program Manager is responsible for the development of long-term program and project objectives and strategies; program and project planning and budgeting; contract preparation, negotiation and administration; marketing of RSTS services and products; coordination of activities, programs and projects with governmental agencies, trade associations and public interest groups.

As staff liaison to the SCOE Air Quality, Climate Change and Energy Subcommittee, the Program Manager provides management support to the subcommittee. In this capacity, the Program Manager attends meetings and provides policy and procedural advice; advises on meeting agendas; disseminates informational materials to committee members, provides other assistance as required; and serves as liaison between the AQ Subcommittee and SCOE.

As a task manager for the Center, the Program Manager supports the Program Director in developing the annual work plan; long-term environmental program objectives and strategies; environmental program and project planning and budgeting; contract preparation, negotiation and administration; marketing of the Center’s services and products; and coordination of activities, programs and projects with governmental agencies, trade associations and public interest groups. The Program Manager oversees the development of training materials, webinars, websites, workshops, and national conferences that provide AASHTO members opportunities to engage in critical environmental discussions.

The Program Manager represents and promotes AASHTO’s environmental goals and policy positions in meetings, task forces and workshops; prepares and delivers presentations; and performs other functions as needed.

Position Requirements:

A broad understanding of federal and state environmental policies, regulations, procedures and practices as they relate to transportation; and sound comprehension of the administrative, legislative and regulatory process at the federal and state levels is required.  The incumbent must have an understanding of state transportation responsibilities, planning and project delivery practices and policy issues. Project planning, budgeting and management skills, experience with contracts administration and financial reporting, and excellent written and oral communication skills are required. The incumbent must be able to travel approximately 30 days per year.

The successful candidate must have a minimum of four to six years of progressively responsible, professional experience in the transportation sector; with a focus on environmental issues or in the environmental field with a focus on transportation issues.  Prior experience in project management is desired.   A bachelor’s of arts or science degree, preferably in an environment or transportation related field is required.  Evidence of a higher degree of professional development, such as a postgraduate education, is desirable.

To apply:

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to recruiter@aashto.org by close of business on Friday, April 3. Relocation costs are not reimbursable.

AASHTO is an equal opportunity employer.

Related articles

• Pieces in Place for AASHTO to Endorse Protected Bike Lanes… by 2020
• Obama proposes 6-year, $478 billion highway bill; industry groups voice support

Shutter bugs get ready to click away to some cold cash.. See the AASHTO presser below. 

Washington — The annual Faces of Transportation photography contest is marking its 10th year by adding a video category. Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the national contest asks State DOT employees and private citizens to send in photographs and videos of people, projects, and personal experiences that demonstrate the benefits of transportation.

This year’s competition, themed “Transportation in America,” includes seven awards. Five will be presented in the photography section and two prizes will be awarded in the video portion of competition.

Photography: Photographs will be judged in three new categories: Quality of Life/Community Development, Historic Projects, and Taking the Road Less Traveled. A $125 cash prize will be awarded to the best photograph in each of the three categories. $500 cash prizes will be presented to the winners of both the People’s Choice and the Best Overall Photograph award.

Video Section: Videos will be judged on two levels and in two separate categories. Amateur or novice videos must demonstrate travel experiences in a category called Safe, Smart and Fun. Professionally produced videos will be judged in a category called Innovation in Motion.

The videos (one winner in each category), as selected by AASHTO, will each be awarded $150 cash prizes. The winners, along with other submitted videos, may be featured on AASHTO’s Transportation TV or AASHTO’s YouTube Channel.

Winning video and photography submissions must prominently feature people designing, constructing, using and enjoying the nation’s transportation systems. All entries must represent the positive effects of all modes of transportation on individuals and communities. Photographs and videos which include recognizable individuals must be accompanied with a model release form regardless of category; all photos and videos must include a caption that describes the scene. Failure to meet these requirements may lead to disqualification.

All entries must be received by July 31, 2014. Judging will begin on August 8, 2014. The general public will vote for the People’s Choice Award photograph at the Faces of Transportation web site, www.facesoftransportation.org. Judging will begin August 8 and end August 31, 2014.

The winners of the 2014 Faces of Transportation competition will be announced at the AASHTO Subcommittee on Transportation Communications (TransComm) annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona in September. Entry forms and contest rules are available at www.facesoftransportation.org.

Nature of Position:

The successful candidate will assist senior AASHTO engineering staff in the work it provides for the Board of Directors (i.e., the Secretaries of Transportation from the State DOTs), the Standing Committee on Highways (i.e., the Chief Engineers), and its subcommittees, which include design, construction, bridges, traffic engineering, operations, maintenance, materials, and others. The following are some of the potential activities of the successful candidate:

• assisting in the development and update of AASHTO’s technical standards, such as the Green Book, Roadside Design Guide, and Bicycle Guide;

• assisting in organizing national meetings and conferences by providing assistance to AASHTO committee officers;

• participating in AASHTO committee meetings around the country;

• assisting in the development of national policy on transportation operations and project delivery; and

• providing other assistance as required.

The incumbent may also work with a variety of technical committees in the production of engineering and operations-related professional publications, and will respond to technical inquiries on AASHTO publications and policies.

Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering is required.

Skill Requirement: A broad understanding of the technical aspects of one or more aspects of transportation engineering and a sound comprehension of the administrative, legislative, and regulatory process at the federal and state levels. Excellent written and oral communication skills are also desired. The incumbent must be able to travel.

Relevant Experience: Approximately 8 to 15 years of professional experience in transportation is required, preferably in a State DOT. It is desirable that some of the previous experience be at a policy planning or management level in a state, local, or federal transportation agency.

Relationships: The incumbent will have contact with AASHTO committee members through meeting attendance, correspondence, and telephone contacts and will assist other AASHTO staff members as required by the Program Director.

Position Responsibilities: The incumbent will provide input as requested relative to association policy formulation. From a technical perspective, the incumbent is expected to work with the various AASHTO technical committees on standards, training, and research. This individual may be called on to participate in various planning efforts, and is responsible for developing certain elements of the association’s annual and spring conferences. Depending on the specific duties assigned, the individual may be expected to assist with publication activities.

The incumbent will be expected to draft, write, or edit transportation policy statements or resolutions related to assigned duties, or other areas of interest to the association. However, such positions may not be established without approval by higher authorities.

Since this is a competitive position among interested state departments of transportation, recruitment time is unknown, but is estimated to be three months from the date of advertisement.

Expenses: The position will include a monthly living stipend reimbursable to a maximum of $2,200 per month, plus a public transit subsidy of up to $120 per month. AASHTO will pay a one-time round-trip transportation ticket to/from Washington, DC. Appropriate business expenses related to AASHTO work and travel assignments will be reimbursed.

Competition: A panel of AASHTO managers and engineering staff will evaluate applicants. Send resume and letter of endorsement from State DOT director to AASHTO, Attention: Human Resource Manager, 444 N. Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. Resumes and letters of endorsement may also be submitted by e-mail to cbeauvais@aashto.org or by fax to 202-624-8471. EOE/M/F/D.

Related articles

• How State DOTs Got Congress to Grant Their Wish List(dc.streetsblog.org)

  ---

• AASHTO Adds Designs to Bikeway Guide, But Not Protected Bike Lanes(dc.streetsblog.org)

  ---

Associate Program Director, Operations

• Department: Engineering and Technical Services
• Grade: 13
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Supervisor’s Title: Program Director, Engineering

---

Nature of Position:  The Associate Program Director for Operations assists the Program Director for Engineering in his/her role in coordinating the technical and engineering programs and the activities of the Association as assigned.

The Associate Program Director for Operations will assist the Program Director for Engineering and other senior staff in monitoring one or more transportation modes of interest to the Association, including the work of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways; its Subcommittees on Traffic Engineering, Maintenance, Systems Operation and Management; associated technical committees and task forces; and technical service programs in the engineering operations arena. The incumbent assists the Program Director in providing professional and logistic support to ensure that these committees understand AASHTO policies and procedures and are cognizant of key technical, legislative, and regulatory issues. With the assistance of the Program Director for Engineering, the incumbent also represents and promotes AASHTO’s position before federal agencies or other organizations. To this end, the incumbent develops working relationships with external governmental and technical organizations. The incumbent may represent the Association on panels or in workshops, and perform functions as necessary to further public comprehension of AASHTO’s purpose and activities.

The incumbent will also serve as staff liaison to one or more subcommittees or task forces. Duties will include attending meetings and providing policy or procedural advice; advising on meeting agendas and task force staffing; disseminating informational material to committee members; and providing other assistance as required. The incumbent also works with a variety of committees in the production of engineering and professional publications, and responds to technical inquiries on publications and policies.

Education:  A bachelor’s of science degree in engineering is preferred. Evidence of a higher degree of professional development is desirable.  Professional registration is desired.

Skill Requirements:  A broad understanding of transportation engineering and the technical aspects of one or more modes of transportation, as well as legal, legislative, and regulatory history of that transportation mode, and current developments and trends in that sector. Sound comprehension of the administrative, legislative, and regulatory process at the federal and state levels. Sound project management skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills.  The incumbent must be available to travel.

Relevant Experience:   Approximately ten years or more of professional experience in one of the transportation modes is required, with demonstrated evidence of professional growth, increasing responsibility, and project management/consultant oversight skills.  Some of the previous experience should be in design, construction, operations, maintenance, and/or planning in a state, local, or federal transportation agency.

Relationships With:

• Members: Maintain regular and frequent contact with committee members through meeting attendance, newsletters or correspondence, e-mail, and telephone contacts.
• Governing Structure: The position involves a close and continuing responsibility to committee officers of assigned committees.
• Government: The incumbent is responsible for maintaining contact with appropriate state, local and Federal government personnel.
• Public: Responds to certain public written and telephone inquiries, especially in technical areas, and may have occasional contact with media representatives.
• Other Organizations: The incumbent is expected to maintain good working relationships with other interest groups or associations, and may represent AASHTO on panels.  Depending on the specific duties assigned, the incumbent may be responsible for helping to negotiate contracts and for monitoring assigned professional consulting contracts.
• Association Office Personnel: May assist other staff members as required.

Position Responsibilities:

• Association Policy Formulation: The incumbent is expected to assist the Program Director in the development and implementation of association policies.
• Planning: May be called upon to participate in various long-range planning efforts, and is responsible for planning pertinent elements of the Association’s annual conference. Depending on the specific duties assigned, the incumbent may be expected to assist in planning annual publication activities, budget preparation, and planning of the Association’s annual budget..
• Transportation Policy Formation: The incumbent is expected on occasion to draft, write, or edit transportation policy statements or resolutions related to the assigned transportation modes, or other areas of interest to the Association; however, such positions may not be established without approval by higher authorities.
• Decision Authority: As assigned by the Program Director.
• Budgetary Responsibility: Assists the Program Director for Engineering in recommending and controlling his/her budget ranging from $50,000 to $3,000,000.
• Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises Program Manager for Engineering, Telecommunications Manager, and several consulting contract employees.  May be designated to perform the duties of the Program Director in his/her absence or as assigned.
• Supervision Received: Supervision is provided in terms of general objectives, rather than on a day-to-day basis.  Significant decisions will be reviewed by the Program Director for Engineering.
• Availability of Qualified Personnel: The recruitment of a qualified replacement is estimated to require from three to four months.

========================================================================================================

Program Manager for Engineering

• Department: Engineering and Technical Services
• Grade: 10
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Supervisor’s Title: Associate Program Director, Operations

---

Nature of Position:  The Program Manager for Engineering assists the Associate Program Director for Operations and other senior staff in the work of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways and its Subcommittees (to include one or more of the following: Traffic Engineering, Maintenance, and/or Systems Operation and Management), as well as technical service programs in these areas, as assigned.  Duties will include attending meetings and providing policy or procedural advice; advising on meeting agendas and task force staffing; disseminating informational material to committee members; and providing other assistance as required.  The incumbent will also work with a variety of committees in the production of engineering and related professional publications, and may respond to technical inquiries on publications and policies.

Education:  A bachelor’s of science degree in engineering is required, preferably in civil engineering, and professional development such as postgraduate education.  Professional registration is desired.

Skill Requirements:  A broad understanding of the technical aspects of highway engineering, to include traffic engineering, maintenance, and/or systems operation and management, and a sound comprehension of the administrative, legislative, and regulatory process at the federal and state levels.  Sound project management skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills.  Basic use of the computer for word processing, spreadsheet analysis, and use of databases.  The incumbent must be able to travel 50-70 days per year.

Relevant Experience:  A minimum of seven years of professional experience in transportation engineering is required, to include traffic engineering, maintenance, and/or systems operation and management, with demonstrated evidence of professional growth, increasing responsibility, and project management/consultant oversight skills.  Some of the previous experience should be at a policy planning or management level in a state, local, or federal transportation agency.

Relationships With:

• Members:  Maintain regular and frequent contact with committee members and task forces through meeting attendance, newsletters or other correspondence, e-mail, and telephone calls.
• Governing Structure:  The incumbent provides support to the Associate Program Director for Operations and to AASHTO committees, has frequent contact with certain committee officers, and may communicate with officers and members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
• Government:  Initiates and maintains direct contacts with state, local and Federal government personnel.
• Public:  Responds to written and telephone inquiries, particularly those relating to engineering projects.  Occasional contact with media.
• Other Organizations:  The incumbent is expected to maintain good working relationships with other interest groups and associations.  Depending on the specific duties assigned, the incumbent may be responsible for monitoring assigned professional consulting contracts.
• Association Office Personnel:  As directed, the incumbent is expected to assist, from time to time, other professional staff.

Position Responsibilities:

• Association Policy Formulation:  The incumbent shall assist the Associate Program Director for Operations and other senior AASHTO staff in proposing, developing, and implementing association policies.
• Planning:  May be called on to participate in various long-range planning efforts, and is responsible for strategic and operational planning for the Association’s activities relevant to assigned engineering projects.  Depending on the specific duties assigned, the incumbent may be expected to assist in planning annual publication activities, budget preparation, and planning of the Association’s annual budget.
• Transportation Policy Formulation:  The incumbent is expected, on occasion, to draft, write, or edit transportation policy statements or resolutions related to assigned transportation modes, or other areas of interest to the Association; however, such positions may not be established without approval by higher authorities.
• Decision Authority:  Participates in the selection of contractors for technical services and bids in various committee decisions.
• Budgetary Responsibility:  Responsible for developing and maintaining the budget for assigned committees and technical service areas and other areas as assigned.
• Supervisory Responsibility:  None.
• Supervision Received:  Supervision is provided in terms of general objectives, rather than on a day-to-day basis.  Direct supervision on non-routine tasks is provided by the Program Director for Engineering.
• Availability of Qualified Personnel:  The recruitment of a qualified replacement is estimated to require three months.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EDT

In December 2009, an international scan was conducted to identify new ideas and practical, workable models for integrating variable road pricing approaches into state, local, and regional policies, programs, and practices.  Scan team members interacted with host city and country experts from Stockholm, Sweden, London, England, Singapore, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Specifically, the scan team explored the political, institutional, and technical factors that contributed to the successful implementation of road pricing and, in some cases, to their rejection.

Panelists will present the findings of the scan and will address the potential for road pricing to be a part of a sustainable twenty-first century transportation system.  The scan was conducted under the auspices of the International Technology Scanning Program, which is conducted by the Federal Highway Administration in cooperation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

Session presenters:

• Robert Arnold, Federal Highway Administration
• Vance Smith, Georgia Department of Transportation
• Patrick DeCorla-Souza, Federal Highway Administration

Moderated by: John Doan, SRF Consulting  (Questions may be posed any time during the Webinar, and are answered at the end of the session).

Registration: Participants must register 24 hours in advance. There is no fee for Chairs of TRB Standing Committees, Sections, or Groups.  There is also no fee for employees of TRB Sponsors: http://bit.ly/9tduwj. TRB Sponsors: Please use your work email to register for the session. Others must pay $99 per site.

There may be situations where a webinar may need to be rescheduled due to unforeseen events.  If a webinar needs to be rescheduled, TRB will contact you via email to provide information about rescheduling the session.

Problems signing in? Contact Reggie Gillum at rgillum@nas.edu or 202-334-2382.

Click here to register.

Streetsblog-Capitol Hill’s Elena Schor posted an interesting analysis a report titled Projects and Paychecks: a One Year Report on State Transportation Successes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (and a website), released yesterday by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the trade group representing state DOTs in Washington.. The report is billed as a one-year “progress report” on the White House’s $34.3 billion in formula-based American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) a.k.a stimulus spending on transportation projects.

The comprehensive study finds that one year after its passage, state DOTs have set an amazing record of speed and efficienc:

• 77 percent of the $34.3 billion provided for highways and transit out to bid on 12,250 transportation projects.
• The 9,240 projects under construction total $20.6 billion.
• One hundred-fifty of these projects are profiled on the companion website at: recovery.transportation.org.
• As a result of the Recovery Act, 280,000 direct, on-project jobs have been created or sustained across the country.

An excerpt from Elena’s analysis:

Interestingly, the group’s chart [PDF shown below] showing state-by-state progress on transportation stimulus omits the estimates of jobs created by each category of spending — perhaps because a December analysis of those totals showed that transit was a more cost-effective employment generator than road projects.

Overall, the report attempts to make a case for more investment in infrastructure as part of a second round of job-creation legislation, using anecdotes from state DOT officials and local construction workers who claimed a steady paycheck thanks to the stimulus law.

The press release to mark the occasion has the following nugget, which I thought is very interesting:  “With bids running as low as 30 percent below estimates, the study finds that states stretched federal dollars even further, creating more jobs and more miles of improvements. California, Georgia, and Texas awarded more than 90 percent of their highway contracts below original cost estimates.

The report, which includes data from the states, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Federal Highway Administration, also found an impressive list of completed projects. As of January 7, 2010, 1,125 bridges had been improved or replaced, 21,400 miles of pavement had been resurfaced or widened, and 1,700 safety traffic management projects had been put into place.”

Making the case for more Transportation investment: “Projects and Paychecks proves just how big a role stimulus is playing to keep Americans working,” said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. “In January, state DOTs identified more than 9,800 additional ‘ready-to-go’ projects worth $79 billion. Congress needs to move quickly to pass another Jobs Bill. This study proves transportation projects can deliver hundreds of thousands of jobs for America,” Horsley said.

Click here to access the website or here to download the report.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Congress Gets Project Lists for Jobs Bill: $15B for Transit, $48B for Roads (streetsblog.org)
• Transportation Scores Big In Obama’s Budget (lifetoup.com)
• Jobs Bill: Will The ‘Jobs For Main Street’ Act Boost Employment? (huffingtonpost.com)

(Source: AASHTO)

Washington, DC – “Are we there yet? The perennial question asked by kids on a long car trip is the same one all Americans should be asking about our entire transportation network,” said John Horsley, Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). “Improving our transportation system must be a top priority for all of us since we are only investing half of what it would take to meet the needs of our nation’s growing population, demand for freight, and aging roads, bridges, and transit.”

 With the expiration date looming for the current federal transportation authorization, AASHTO has today launched a national campaign to build awareness and provide information on the critical needs of our nation’s transportation system.

Click here to explore the campaign.

(Source:  AASHTO)

Enactment of the FY 2010 budget resolution “will be the starting point as the House considers the new surface transportation authorization bill,” Kansas Secretary of Transportation Deb Miller testified today before the House Budget Committee.