Director, Center for Infrastructure Systems and Technology

Director, Center for Infrastructure Systems and Technology

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts

Salary Range: $151661 - $218800 Per Year

Job Summary: This position leads and oversees the Center for Infrastructure Systems and Technology within the Department of Transportation's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), John A. Volpe National Transportation Center (Volpe), located in Cambridge, MA. The position is comprised of seven technical divisions with a combined federal staffing of more than 103 employees, a portfolio of 166 projects, and annual obligations of over $81million, on average.

Major Duties:

• The Director for the Center for Infrastructure Systems and Technology provides executive leadership and strategic direction over programs by developing plans and policies ensuring that projects for sponsoring organizations are properly formulated, resourced, staffed, conducted, and managed to support and advance the strategic goals of the DOT and OST-R as they pertain to transportation infrastructure and technology. The Director oversees existing programs, develops new programs, and ensures technical excellence within the staff and programs of the Center. In addition, the Director will be responsible for providing horizontal integration of policy and deployment research across the Center, working with the Director for Research and Innovative Technology and other Center Directors to bring together cross-functional teams to address the challenges facing the nation's transportation system. The Director provides executive level oversight and management of the following activities and programs in Volpe's unique fee-for-service business model, conducted in accordance with the funding, scope, and requirements of formal agreements with sponsoring organizations. Engineering and safety analyses of transportation systems and implementing infrastructure modernization and sustainment programs. Large and complex grants management, performance assessment and asset management, all-hazards, systems analyses to improve physical and cybersecurity while enhancing transportation safety, emergency management and operational efficiency. Analysis and modeling of shifting global passenger and freights flows and their implications for the required maritime domain awareness, transportation and logistics infrastructure including consideration of safety and security. Assessment, analysis and field testing of rapidly developing and advanced transportation technologies, such as connected and automated vehicles and applications of artificial intelligence. Strategic analysis of transportation infrastructure research and potential partnerships within the transportation enterprise. Program development and support around innovation, technology transfer, and attracting novel concepts to address transportation challenges. National and international resource center of knowledge exchange on emerging and advanced transportation technologies. Leads assessments of new and advancing technologies for applicability, integration, and deployment to meet emerging transportation needs, problems, and issues; and develops strategies to market those technologies to partners. Assists the Director for Research and Innovative Technology to develop comprehensive plans that position the Volpe Center for long-term success through the capture and successful performance of highly technical projects that support the strategic goals and objectives of the DOT.

Qualifications: Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1. Demonstrated executive level experience leading engineering, technology, research, development, evaluation, and deployment of transportation infrastructure-related systems, technologies, standards, and practices, to include directing and managing technical staff responsible for technology transfer, physical and cyber security, transportation logistics, and applied engineering, research and development programs. TQ 2. Demonstrated executive management and leadership experience in a large government, not-for-profit,or private sector professional sciences organization that focuses on innovations in infrastructure systems and technology, including directing and managing technical staff responsible for applied research and development programs; managing significant program budgets; adjusting organizational structures to meet program needs; and leading/collaborating both horizontally and vertically to ensure the effective delivery of programs, products, and services while meeting time, budget, and customer requirements. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding – This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency -This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the “Include Personal Information” section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, at Transjobs@dot.gov.

Application Deadline: 2026-06-01