Fellowship Opportunity: Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship – Call for Applications

November 2, 2011 at 4:40 pm

(Via Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University)

The Research Center for Leadership in Action at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship.

The Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship is part of an initiative to support Innovation Delivery Teams in five cities across the United States. Innovation Delivery Teams help mayors develop and deliver powerful solutions to major urban challenges. Situated in a mayor’s office, these teams of top performers bring rigorous focus and best-in-class practice to identifying powerful solutions, developing implementation plans and then managing for results – effectively engaging all necessary stakeholders to support success throughout the process. Bloomberg Philanthropies has invested $24 million over three years to enable five cities – Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, Memphis, and New Orleans – to recruit and hire top tier talent to staff their teams (see attached press release and news coverage). Over the next three years, each city will receive extensive technical assistance and support through the initiative to get the teams up and running and to identify best practices and lessons as each team customizes the model to meet local needs.

Selected Cities, Mayors and Priority Areas

Atlanta: Mayor Kasim Reed

  • Introduce 311 and other initiatives to improve customer service
  • Dramatically reduce street homelessness

Chicago: Mayor Rahm Emanuel

  • Reduce waiting and processing times for key city services
  • Dramatically scale energy efficiency efforts

Louisville – Mayor Greg Fischer

  • Partner with Lexington to implement a new regional export strategy
  • Improve agency performance and public accountability

Memphis: Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.

  • Increase small business growth in target neighborhoods
  • Reduce handgun violence

New Orleans: Mayor Mitch Landrieu

  • Reduce waiting and processing times for key city services
  • Reduce homicides

Fellowship Information

The fellowship will recruit five early-tenure professionals who aspire to exceptional careers in public service to support these new teams. Each fellow will serve a two-year commitment as part of the Innovation Delivery Team in one of the selected cities. Reporting to the Team Director, fellows will add value to the cities by supporting city-specific strategies, documenting progress in all phases of the innovation and delivery process, and implementing data collection systems and basic analysis that accelerate progress and elevate best practices on government innovation.

This fellowship will offer an unparalleled leadership opportunity that includes a hands-on learning experience supported by a national learning network and first-tier academic expertise. The program provides fellows a unique understanding of government innovation coupled with access to senior leaders in municipal government and the opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking team model that brings real change to one of the selected American cities.

Fellowship Components

  • Full-time assignment to one of the selected cities for the duration of the two-year program.
  • Orientation, including leadership development and training in policy analysis and management topics relevant to the fellow role and the assigned city priority areas.
  • Site visits to other Innovation Delivery Team cities with opportunities for development and learning.
  • Access to networking opportunities with peers and influential leaders in municipal government.
  • Shared fellowship experience and deep connection with a supportive group of peers.
  • Hands-on experience with leading edge approaches to innovation.

Responsibilities

  • Report to and work side-by-side with the Team Director as she or he builds the Team and oversees its work, being deployed as needed to support the development and execution of city-specific strategies.
  • Ensure that a clear record is kept of process and programmatic work and innovations at the individual city level.
  • Document the Team’s progress in all stages of the innovation and delivery process, which will include tracking and analyzing data.
  • Contribute to the knowledge building effort led by NYU Wagner and participate in fellowship activities (e.g., convenings, conference calls).

Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in public policy or administration plus at least two years of work experience preferred. In exceptional cases a Bachelor’s degree plus four years of work experience may be accepted.
  • Background and demonstrated interest in public sector policy and implementation. Public sector work experience is strongly preferred; in the case of applicants without a graduate degree it is required.
  • Exhibited leadership and project management responsibilities; strong communication skills; positive and proactive “can do” attitude.
  • Familiarity with data collection and analysis and strong analytical and writing skills.
  • Demonstrated eligibility to work in the United States.

Application Requirements
Please submit the following by November 15, 2011

  • Fellowship Application Form indicating the cities of interest in ranked preference order.
  • Two short statements (500 words or fewer per statement), one describing your interest in public sector innovation and the other your readiness for serving as a Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellow.
  • Resume.

Please use the Fellowship Reference Form and ask one reference to submit a letter of recommendation directly to wagner.innovationfellows@nyu.edu by November 15, 2011. Please provide the names and contact information of two additional references through theFellowship Application Form.

Selection and Notification Process

  • Fellows will be pre-selected through a national competitive process and finalists will be selected by the cities indicated in the application forms.
  • Final decisions will be made by January 6, 2012.
  • Fellows will be required to start work on site in their assigned city on January 17, 2012.

Compensation

  • Full-time salary of $60,000 annualized.
  • Reimbursement of pre-approved health insurance.

Forms
Fellowship Application Form
Fellowship Reference Form

Contact Information
Research Center for Leadership in Action
New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

The Puck Building
295 Lafayette Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10012

Email: wagner.innovationfellows@nyu.edu
Phone: (212) 998-7552
Web: wagner.nyu.edu/leadership
Fellowship: wagner.nyu.edu/leadership/leadership_dev/bidf.php

Job Alert: Strategic Advisor, GS-0301-12/14 @ U.S. DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)

September 20, 2011 at 11:31 am

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks a Strategic Advisor to join our team.  RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.

This position is located in the Office of Administration, Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) in Washington, DC, where you will serve as a confidential strategic advisor to RITA’s Administrator and assists on a wide range of national transportation strategic and institutional issues as well as carry out special assignments which cover a wide range of program issues.

If you know someone interested in this Washington, D.C. based position with relevant experience and proven results please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcement.  RITA is looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

The vacancy announcements can be found on:

Merit Promotion Announcement: http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=102501799

Public Announcement: http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=102501668

Job Alert: Senior Manager, Procurement @ New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

June 22, 2011 at 6:21 pm

The MTA (of NY) seeks a highly skilled and motivated procurement and contracts professional to support the delivery of MTA’s real-time bus tracking and customer information systems. This position participates as an integral part of the implementation team of MTA’s Bus Customer Information Systems (CIS) project, contributing to meeting the CIS project procurement and contract administration objectives and ensuring that the procured CIS system components procured meet the CIS project goal of significantly improving the customer experience with the MTA bus services.

Specifically, the incumbent in this role will understand the broad technical standards and specifications relating to real time bus location information systems, wireless networks, public API’s and Smart Card technology, create procurement vehicles from detailed software and hardware specifications and utilize efficient procurement strategies and contract negotiation skills to get possession of various sub systems of the Bus CIS system.

Critical responsibilities include those necessary to drive the procurement and contracting process around Bus CIS. Qualifications include 7 years of experience in contracting and procurement, including 5 years of experience on technical or systems projects. A Bachelor degree in Business Administration or related field is required, an advanced degree procurement-related fields, project management or related discipline preferred.

To apply, email a resume and cover letter to MTABusCIS@gmail.com AND ALSO visithttp://mta.info/mta/employment/employment_out.html and apply for Job Posting #73589.

MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Alert: Transportation Planner II/III at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) – Washington, DC

May 11, 2011 at 7:12 pm

The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is seeking a Planner II or III to work with a small team responsible for public involvement and communications. The successful candidate will be a part of the Program Coordination Team, which supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C. region. The TPB plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning in the National Capital region.  The TPB prepares plans and programs that the federal government must approve in order for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region.

A successful candidate will perform professional-level planning activities with a focus on enhancing and maintaining communications and public outreach efforts.  Activities are likely to include:

  • Improve external visibility of the TPB.
  • Assist with long-range planning activities, such as scenario planning and development of a regional priorities plan, with a focus on public involvement and communications.
  • Provide staff support to TPB activities and committees.

Please see the full job description below, which includes information on how to apply:  http://www.mwcog.org/resources/opportunities/detail.asp?JOB_ID=282

Job Alert: Transportation Supervisor(s) @ Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation (Multiple Positions)

May 5, 2011 at 5:16 pm

Organization LogoThe Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) is currently seeking individuals who are ready to take on the challenge of supervising the delivery of the State’s transportation program with an emphasis on traffic engineering.  We currently have supervisory vacancies available in the Milwaukee and Madison areas in addition to a position that may be housed in any regional office throughout the state. The register created by this exam will be used to fill approved vacancies state wide, as they may occur. Regional offices are located in Madison, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Green Bay, LaCrosse, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Rapids, Rhinelander, and Superior.

Job Duties:

These positions may direct one or more units to provide products and/or services associated with the state’s transportation system with primary focus on traffic operations.  The primary role of the supervisor is to achieve program objectives by interpreting and applying policy within the programmatic area of responsibility and directly supervise a staff of professional, technical, and paraprofessional positions.  This includes broad leadership responsibility to coordinate resources and develop staff; apply appropriate discipline-specific technical expertise in decision-making; fulfill a management role in policy development and implementation; and determine ways and means of accomplishing mission critical objectives.

Traffic Supervisors oversee one or more of the following: program development in the area of freeway traffic management; program support for project development; program development, operations and maintenance of Intelligent Transportation Systems; operations of a freeway traffic management center; maintenance of freeway traffic management systems; and providing traveler information in the area of freeway traffic.

Special Notes: Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this recruitment/announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check which may include fingerprinting.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Civil Engineering principles and practices applied in the location, design, construction, and maintenance of all types of highways, bridges and related structures
  • Problem solving skills
  • Oral, interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Conflict resolution principles and techniques
  • Policy, program, and project development, management, and administration principles and practices
  • Budget development and management
  • Knowldege of transportation funding sources and programs
  • Extensive knowledge of Intelligent Transporation Systems
  • Extensive knowledge of freeway traffic management practices and principles
  • Click here to learn more and to apply for this position.

    Senior-level Technical Project Managers for ITS Projects @ Open Roads Consulting, Inc.

    May 4, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html

    Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneurship, team building and creativity in our people. Together we are on the cutting edge of marketing new technologies specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions for our clients. We are currently seeking senior-level technical project managers to facilitate our national growth plan. Our project managers are strong independent thinkers that are responsible for business development and project management of ITS solutions, providing industry setting service for our clients.

    If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference with the up and coming industry leader, please visit our website for the complete job description at
    http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html. Confidential resumes and salary history should be sent to hr@openroadsconsulting.com. EOE/AA/M/F/V/D.

    Job Alert: Transit Safety and Security Specialist @ USDOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Oklahoma City, OK

    April 20, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks two Transit Safety and Security Specialist’s (Instructor) to join the Transit Safety and Security Division at the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI).  RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.  The Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) provides premier worldwide training, products and/or services for people in the public and private sectors through innovative, state-of-the-art methods and technologies that contribute to the protection of life, property, and the environment.  The Transportation Safety Institute training center is located in Oklahoma City, OK at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC), a Federal Aviation Administration training and materials facility.  Visit www.tsi.dot.gov to learn more.  The position is located in Oklahoma City, OK.

    As a Transit Safety and Security Specialist (Instructor), you will develop training programs, instruct, manage and facilitate classes, perform evaluations, and conduct seminars and symposiums.  Programs include all facets of safety and security work with complex bus and light rail transit systems.

    To succeed in this position you must have experience developing, implementing, and/or performing complex assignments in support of transit safety and security projects, programs, and plans, and ensuring compliance with safety oversight regulations.  You must have experience in developing, modifying, and instructing training course content and materials.  You must also have superb organizational, communication and presentation skills.  Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized.  Ability to obtain and retain a travel credit card is required.

    This announcement is open to the general public and under merit promotion for current or former Federal employees and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Please note that merit promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

    Click here for the Merit Promotion Announcement

    Click here for the Public Announcement

    Job Alert – CFO/ Finance Director @ Eno Transportation Foundation, Washington, DC

    April 19, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    The Eno Transportation Foundation, a nonprofit transportation policy and leadership think-tank, is seeking a Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer. Ideal candidates should have a strong interest in both organizational financial management and transportation policy. Superior writing ability, interpersonal skills, and basic understanding of finances are all essential. Experience with accounting is a bonus but not required.

    Duties and Responsibilities
    • Assist CEO in developing strategies to cut costs and strengthen Eno’s financial position
    • Track all organizational finances including financial management, budget control, payroll, accounting, and fixed assets system and functions
    • Design and update the organization’s budget
    • Track and fulfill all organization financial obligations
    • Manage outside contracts for office functions (including IT)
    • Assist the Board and CEO in understanding the organization’s portfolio
    • Ensure adequate controls are installed and that substantiating documentation is approved and available so all purchases may pass audits
    • Assist in the research and development of publications related to transportation policy
    • Manage and coordinate all fiscal reporting activities for the organization
    • Perform some Human Resource functions including managing contracts, payroll, and benefits for the organization.
    Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
    • Understanding of and interest in transportation policy
    • Excellent writing and communication ability
    • Strong management and interpersonal skills
    • Creating and assessing financial statements and budget documents
    Qualifications
    Excellent financial credentials and a minimum of 5 years experience are required. An advanced degree in transportation, urban planning, or business administration is preferred but not required.
    CPA and accounting experience also preferred but not required. Salary and title based on experience and qualifications.
    To Apply
    Send cover letter and resume to pshepherd@enotrans.com

    Unleash the creator! Submit your entries for the 2011 UITP 5th Annual International Marketing Awards and Book A Trip to Venice, Italy

    April 12, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    (Source: The City Fix Blog)

    What a creative way to encourage riding public transportation! The two videos below created by De Lijn, the company that runs Belgium’s public transport system, are part of the “Penguins and Fireflies” commercial campaign and won the 4th Annual UITP International Marketing Awards in 2009.

    The International Association of Public Transport (UITP), a global advocate in promoting public transportation, is accepting entries for its 5th Annual UITP International Marketing Awards until April 15. It is the only international competition that rewards commercial and printed campaigns from the public transport sector.

     

    The Marketing Awards are a part of UITP’s International Marketing Conference that will be held in Venice, Italy in November 2011. The conference is a time to provide organizations with marketing strategies to help them successfully compete against car culture, increase profits and boost ridership.

    Click here to read more.

    Internship Alert: 2011 SUMMER INTERNSHIP – Eno Transportation Foundation @ Washington, DC

    March 31, 2011 at 11:13 am

    The Eno Transportation Foundation (Eno) in Washington, D.C., is offering a summer 2011 internship opportunity beginning in May or June. This is a great opportunity to learn about the transportation industry and gain valuable experience and contacts.   The candidate selected will assist Eno staff with our leadership development programs, public policy forums, and publications. In addition, the successful candidate will research key public policy issues, including current legislation in the U.S. Congress.

    Candidate Qualifications
    Candidates should have a strong interest in transportation policy. Because Eno has a small staff, interns are expected to take on a variety of tasks to support the overall organization.

    What is the Eno Transportation Foundation?
    We are a nonprofit operating foundation recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s programs cover all modes of transportation, public and private sectors, and carriers as well as passengers and shippers. To enhance its effectiveness, the Foundation often conducts its activities in partnership with others in government, industry, or academia. The Foundation engages in three primary activities:

    •    It conducts policy forums with transportation leaders to discuss emerging issues and to assist in building the understanding needed to address them effectively.
    •    It tailors leadership development programs to prepare public- and private-sector professionals with the skills needed to understand and manage our most pressing transportation issues.
    •    It publishes research materials on transportation and the challenges the sector faces.

    Salary
    Interns will be paid a stipend of $2,000 per month toward their living expenses and/or to reimburse the cost of credit hours earned by the internship.

    How to Apply
    Please send resume and cover letter to lrobertson@enotrans.com by April 22, 2011.