Title: Research Scientist (Pavements Team)

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $68,679 - $111,604

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 on the Pavements team. 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?

Candidates must have experience in conducting research in the areas of pavement design, preservation, management, materials and/or construction. The successful candidates in this position will conceive, plan, direct, and conduct research projects within their specialty area. This position will have the opportunity to serve as a principal investigator or co-PI on projects. This position will require the development of research that provides a solution to a problem or an improvement to technologies, processes, procedures, practices or specifications.

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 civil engineering principles and practices.
  
  


• Experience in conducting and publishing transportation research is required.
  
  


• Knowledge of research design, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and statistical analysis techniques.
  
  


• The ability to conceptualize, develop, and manage multiple research projects; the ability to analyze data, make recommendations and help implement results.
  
  


• The 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.
  
  


• Candidates must also have proficiency in the use of computer software applications in pavement engineering and data analysis.
  
  

Additional Considerations

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering, Systems Engineering, Materials Science, or demonstrated knowledge in the specialty areas of pavement design, preservation, management, materials, or construction is required.
  
  


• Experience in conducting all phases of transportation research including the publication and implementation of results, experience as a principal investigator or integral member of a research team as well as experience in providing technical consulting to a large, complex organization is also preferred.
  
  


• Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam or possession of a valid professional engineer (PE) license is preferred.
  
  


• The ability to eventually become licensed as a professional engineer is required for promotion above the Scientist II level.
  
  

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: Logan Sanchez

Phone: (804) 807-3482

Email: logan.sanchez@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.