Thank god this guy chose to focus his energy and investments on transportation, one of the most-neglected fields from an investment perspective. Elon Musk’s interview is a testament to what one man can aspire and do to inspire a generation with his ideas.
JOB TITLE: Research Analyst II/Policy Associate
PROGRAM: Environment, Energy and Transportation Program (EET)
SALARY: $3,245-3,667 per month depending on qualifications
FUNDING: 100 percent grant funds
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
NCSL’s Transportation Program is seeking a Research Analyst II or a Policy Associate to perform legislative research, analysis, writing and program planning. This person will assist with providing quality, unbiased information to state legislators and legislative staff through publications, legislative tracking, meetings and other efforts. The Research Analyst II/ Policy Associate will answer information requests from state legislators, legislative staff and other policy stakeholders on transportation issues
such as revenues for infrastructure, public transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, driver’s licensing, commercial vehicles, traffic safety and other transportation topics.
The Research Analyst II/Policy Associate will also update online bill-tracking databases, draft publications, coordinate meetings, give presentations, compile and summarize legislation, and complete research for program projects including publications, NCSL meetings and off-site trainings and presentations . This professional position requires demonstrated competence in research, writing,
communication, public policy and analytical skills. This position is funded for one year from outside grants and contracts and continuation of the position is subject to the acquisition of additional grant and contract funding.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Typical duties may include some or most of the following:
1. Collects, monitors and analyzes data on legislative actions and state and federal programs using a range of research skills including legal research, original surveys, in-depth interviews and specialized library resources.
2. Prepares prompt, concise and accurate written responses to legislative requests for information.
3. Under supervision, plans programs and organizes background materials in closely related subject areas for research projects, meetings, conferences and technical assistance workshops.
4. Plans, researches and writes for newsletters, issue briefs, short research reports or articles though most written products are subject to close review and editing by more senior staff.
5. Provides substantial content management and data entry support to the NCSL Transportation Funding and Finance Database, the NCSL Transportation Access and Mobility Database and/or other bill-tracking databases.
6. Develops and delivers presentations to a variety of audiences based on original research on transportation policy topics.
7. Undertakes research and writing for grant and contract proposals.
8. Under supervision, may interact directly with grant and contact project officers and undertake some project management responsibilities.
9. Assist as required with the staffing of relevant NCSL committees, task forces and meetings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
• Bachelor’s degree plus three years of relevant work experience, including at least one year of general policy research, legislative or state government experience. Relevant professional level work experience or graduate level can be substituted on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree is preferred but not required.
• Skill and competence in a range of research skills and tasks.
• Experience with state transportation policy research and analysis.
• Skill and competence in writing clearly and communicating orally.
• Skill and competence to work effectively with legislators and legislative staff.
• Skill and competence to work independently and to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. This includes the ability to balance and prioritize numerous projects at once, to meet deadlines and to effectively communicate how this is happening to supervisors of said projects.
• Able to maintain bi-partisanship, confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
• Skill and competence in working cooperatively and professionally with a variety of people, often under pressure.
• The willingness and desire to learn from multiple supervisors.
• Attention to detail and the ability to problem solve and think critically is essential.
• Is well-organized, efficient, flexible and a team player with a positive attitude.
Reply:
Send cover letter and resume by Friday, January 3, 2014, to:
National Conference of State Legislatures
Personnel/AT
7700 East First Place
Denver, CO 80230
Email: hr@ncsl.org
NCSL is an equal opportunity employer.
Image Courtesy: Delegation of the European Union to the United States (EUintheUS.org)
The European Commission presented for the first time today calls for projects under Horizon 2020, the European Union’s 80 billion euro research and innovation program. Worth more than 15 billion euros over the first two years, the funding is intended to help boost Europe’s knowledge-driven economy, and tackle issues that will make a difference in people’s lives. International cooperation is a priority in Horizon 2020 with the program open to participation of researchers from across the world, including the United States.
“It’s time to get down to business,” said European Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. “Horizon 2020 funding is vital for the future of research and innovation in Europe, and will contribute to growth, jobs and a better quality of life. We have designed Horizon 2020 to produce results, and we have slashed red tape to make it easier to participate. So I am calling on researchers, universities, businesses including SMEs, and others to sign up!”
The European Union Ambassador to the United States, João Vale de Almeida, highlighted the strong science cooperation between the EU and the United States. “Our economic, research and innovation relationship is of vital importance and this strategy will further strengthen transatlantic cooperation,” he said. “We have some of the best researchers in the world on both sides of the Atlantic and it makes perfect sense to bring them together to tackle the common challenges that we face.”
For the first time, the Commission has indicated funding priorities over two years, providing researchers and businesses with more certainty on the direction of EU research policy. Most calls from the 2014 budget are already open for submissions as of today, with more to follow over the course of the year. Calls in the 2014 budget alone are worth around 7.8 billion euros, with funding focused on the three key pillars of Horizon 2020:
For background and more information, please see:
MEMO/13/1085: Horizon 2020 – the EU’s new research and innovation program
Chanced up upon this awesome video on /Drive’s YouTube channel, with some of my favorite automotive writers (Travis Okulski and Mike Spinelli of Jalopnik with Andrew DelColle from Popular Mechanics) talking about the nagging questions many of us have about autonomous vehicles. I’d say that this video is more like a e-Primer for all things on autonomous vehicles for those interested (and some more) but offered in a nice, and conversant package without getting you all bored. Check it out.
Video description: When are the first self-driving cars coming, how will they work and — the most important question — will I be able to take a nap in traffic? All of those questions and more will be answered. With Andrew Del-Colle, associate editor of Popular Mechanics magazine and Travis Okulski, senior writer at Jalopnik.
Related resources
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) seeks qualified and ambitious human factors professionals with a strong background in psychology and engineering to assess the system-wide impact of innovative transportation technologies. The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher capable of independently running transportation projects and working in multidisciplinary teams to improve transportation safety through cutting-edge research.
Research projects range from test-track experiments using a single vehicle to large-scale naturalistic driving studies that involve collecting data from hundreds of vehicles on public roadways. Research projects often use VTTI’s internally-developed data acquisition system (DAS). The DAS enables unobtrusive measurement of driver behavior, vehicle operation, and the environment. The collected data are analyzed to address specific research questions that typically focus on existing transportation problems (e.g. crash causation) and/or the performance/development of advanced vehicle systems (e.g. crash warning and autonomous vehicle technologies). Questionnaire, focus group, and survey data collection methods may also be used in these experiments. This position is expected to predominantly focus on research and development relating to driver interaction with automated vehicle systems, such as automated driving systems and automated collision warning/avoidance systems.
The successful applicant will perform work involving conventional human factors research practices, however the work includes a variety of complex features such as working with fluctuating requirements, cycles of field and/or office work, and developing and implementing novel approaches to evaluating transformative transportation technologies. The employee will contribute to the conceptualization of research and proposal development with principal investigators. With assistance, the successful applicant will manage the day-to-day operations of research projects including: literature reviews, research design, research execution, data analysis, report writing, presentations, and publications.
Experience with human factors research in transportation or related fields and expertise in statistical analyses is preferred. Proficiency with data collection and working knowledge of analysis software packages is desired. The applicant must be interested in improving transportation safety and be willing to work on multiple projects in a fast paced research environment. VTTI provides opportunities for professional advancement and a pay for performance structure.
Assignments include:
Directions given and received:
Receive instructions on project objectives, feedback on proposed research plans, and project logistics from principal investigators and project managers. May supervise or coordinate the work of graduate research assistants, students, technicians, and others who assist in specific assignments. Must be able to work effectively independently as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate.
Required Qualifications:
Click here to learn more and to apply
Image Courtesy: www.usajobs.gov
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is looking for experienced Technology Policy Analysts to support the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center’s Advanced Transportation Technologies Center. 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 positions are located in the Kendall Square area in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Volpe Center seeks multiple Technology Policy Analysts, GS-0101-11/12 and GS-0101-13 in the Technology Innovation and Policy Division, (RVT-91) within the Advanced Transportation Technologies Technical Center. This division provides the technical and analytical support for research initiatives and decision-making at all levels of government and industry supporting all modes of transportation. The Technology Policy Analysts primary duty is to participate as a member of a team that conducts research and applies analytical methodologies on a broad set of topics as a means of developing, comparing, and evaluating policy options in support of successful transition of technologies (e.g., connected vehicles, automated vehicles, new transportation applications, or vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, among others) from research into adoption and use.
The ideal candidate will have experience working in an environment with little policy precedence and where policy options have to be developed and created concurrently and iteratively with transportation related technology development. This position is not focused on application of existing policies to IT or other systems, but is focused on the objective and rigorous development of new policies for new and emerging transportation technologies.
If you know someone interested in this position with relevant experience and a demonstrable record of proven results please encourage them to apply. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
The announcement is posted to the Public and to Merit Promotion eligible applicants onhttp://www.usajobs.gov/. Please know that Merit Promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.
Application deadline: July 11, 2013
GS-13-Open to Public: https://www.usajobs.gov/
GS-13 Open to Status: (Merit Promotion) https://www.usajobs.gov/
GS-11/12 Open to Public: https://www.usajobs.
GS-11/12 Open to Status: (Merit Promotion) https://www.usajobs.gov/
Informational briefing: Friday, June 28, 2013, from 11:00-11:30 in conference room 1-4-33A at the Volpe Center, Cambridge MA (conference call no. 1-877-336-1839/access code 6481986). Ryan Harrington, Chief, Technology Innovation and Policy Division will hold an information session at this time to describe the job and to answer any questions interested candidates may have. Mary Hughes from Human Resources will be there to answer questions about the application process.
Please direct any questions to Mary Hughes, Volpe Human Resources, at 617-494-2526.
This is a Pathways Recent Graduate position. The Volpe Center’s Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. The employee performs a range of Technology Policy Analyst duties that are designed to enhance his/her professional knowledge as a Technology Policy Analyst. This is a one year appointment in the excepted service which may lead, at the agency’s discretion, to a time-limited or permanent appointment in the competitive service. The full performance level of this position is GS-12.
The employee’s primary duty is to participate as a member of a team that conducts research and applies analytical methodologies on a broad set of topics as a means of developing, comparing, and evaluating policy options in support of successful transition of technologies (e.g., connected vehicles, automated vehicles, new transportation applications, or vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, among others) from research into adoption and use.
The ideal candidate for this position has (or is within receiving a degree by end of August 2013), in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation.
THIS VACANCY IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 150 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON THE CLOSING DATE OR MIDNIGHT ON THE DAY THE 150TH APPLICATION IS RECEIVED, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
This is an Excepted Service appointment. You may be converted, without a break in service, to a term (time-limited), career, or career-conditional (permanent) appointment upon completion of program requirements without further competition, but there is no guarantee. The selectee is in a trial period while on the Pathways Recent Graduates Program appointment. If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to submit writing samples prior to your interview.
This announcement may be used to fill positions beginning the Summer of 2013. Relocation is not offered with the position.
The starting salary is as follows: GS-9, step 1: $51,871 per year
Click here to learn more and to apply
About: An innovative, fee-for service organization, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT‘s) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an internationally recognized Federal center of transportation innovation with a world-class, multidisciplinary technical team with expertise across all modes of transportation. RITA coordinates the U.S. DOT’s research programs and is charged with advancing the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.
The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) is looking for a Transportation Specialist to serve as program manager and technical expert responsible for the development and direction of the Multimodal ITS Research and Deployment portions of the Department’s ITS program.
To qualify, you must either:
If you know someone interested in this Washington, D.C. based position with relevant experience and proven results, please encourage them to apply using one of the vacancy announcement links below. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
Note: The deadline for applying is Monday, June 17, 2013.
Job Number: FHWA.JPO-2013-0001
The USDOT ITS Joint Program Office recently published “An Open Dialogue On The Draft Focus And Themes For The Next ITS Strategic Research Plan,” available at http://www.its.dot.gov/strategicplan/. The purpose of this document is to establish a starting point for creating the next ITS Strategic Plan. The goal of presenting themes is to enable continuity of the current research programs while establishing new or redefined goals and objectives to meet emerging research needs. The themes fall into three broad categories:
We invite the community to consider providing input to the draft themes by visiting http://itsstrategicplan.ideascale.com/. The USDOT is seeking your input on the following key questions, although other input is highly welcome:
· What technological changes will occur in the near future that will impact transportation?
· Are the themes outlined here addressing the technological and societal changes that affect transportation?
· Are there other themes we should be considering? If so, why?
· Are there themes that should not be considered, or moved to a different timeframe?
· What is the appropriate federal role in technology and transportation that best assists the private sector and travelers at large?
Your input is requested no later than Friday, March 15, 2013. Your attention and consideration of this request is greatly appreciated.
Yep… One of the best ads in automotive business, EVER. This one comes from Germany’s Clean Energy Partnership, a network of companies pulling together to introduce hydrogen as a fuel. To find out more about us, visit the CEP website. Or check their facebook page for discussions, exciting news and information about CEP’s efforts.
