Research Scientist

Title: Research Scientist

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $72,332 - $144,131

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: VA Trans Research Council

Agency Website: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you?  Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.  

The Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC), the research division of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), is seeking to fill a full-time Research Scientist position at its Charlottesville, VA office to support our program in the areas of transportation planning and economics. Using your expertise in demand modeling, network systems analysis, forecasting, and life-cycle analyses you will look for ways to help VDOT improve the movement of people and freight.

Candidates with an interest in turning research into practice and a passion for transportation are encouraged to apply. We are the Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC) and this position is in Charlottesville, Virginia on the grounds of the University of Virginia. This position will independently organize, coordinate, conduct, and implement the findings of advanced, extensive, and technical research in specialty areas and provide innovative and improved technology and practices through applied and conceptual research, technology transfer, and technical assistance. These specialty areas will be multimodal transportation planning methods and economic analyses. Our most successful candidate communicates effectively, collaborates well, is customer-focused, values differences and is a nimble learner.  Are you ready to be VDOT's next Research Scientist?

Position specific responsibilities and duties will include, but not limited to:
• Collaborating with support staff and others to design and conduct laboratory experiments and/or field trials, as well as collect, analyze, and interpret existing data to solve problems of interest to VDOT.
• Disseminating research findings through written reports, published papers, and presentations to national, state, and VDOT audiences.
• Willing to provide peer reviews of colleagues’ final research reports and assist VDOT divisions with the implementation of research     findings.
• Managing and monitoring contract research being conducted by universities.
• Providing technical assistance, consultative advice, and technology transfer to a broad spectrum of VDOT personnel, FHWA, and other state and local government officials, and external customers.
• Participating in relevant professional organizations and research committees, such as the Transportation Research Board.
• Presenting and leading workshops on specialty areas and current research topics, as needed.

VDOT is responsible for building, maintaining and operating the state’s roads, bridges, tunnels and ferry systems. Through the Commonwealth Transportation Board, VDOT also provides funding for airports, rail and public transportation. Virginia has the third largest state-maintained highway system in the country, employing just over 7,000 employees across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDOT offers core benefits including competitive health and life insurance programs, pre-tax spending accounts, and leave programs. Employees participate in a State Retirement Plan; a tax-deferred Retirement Savings Plan with employer-matching provisions is also available. Employees are eligible for participation in a Short and Long Term Disability Program after one year of employment. Miscellaneous benefits include paid holidays, training and tuition assistance programs, wellness programs, etc.

VDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer by both policy and practice. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. It is the intent of VDOT’s employment and personnel practices to conform to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination.

VDOT employees have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics. http://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp. We encourage all those who apply to review these values and ethics. If you share our values, we invite you to apply. Your success in our organization depends upon sharing these values and keeping this Code of Ethics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of advanced research design, qualitative, quantitative
research method, engineering mathematics, and statistical analysis techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to manage research projects, analyze data, make recommendations and help
implement results.
• Skill in the use of computers, computer systems software applications used in
transportation planning and transportation engineering.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences at the
local, state, and national levels, including preparation of publishable articles for
professional journals.
• Advanced knowledge of VDOT management, operations and field structure.
• Ability to conceptualize, develop, manage multiple complex and diverse research
projects.
• Advanced ability to independently generate research ideas and assess VDOT's research
needs.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in developing research including the publication and implementation of
results.
• A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering, Transportation
Engineering, Materials Sciences or related field desired.
• Experience in developing and directing all phases of research including the publication
and implementation of results.
• Experience as a principal investigator and member of a research team.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days.

Contact Information

Name: Shannon Robinson

Email: Shannon.Robinson@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.