Careers at Virginia Tech

Help put the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s research to practice, by delivering in class presentations and hands-on demonstrations to teach the importance of sharing the road with heavy vehicles. VTTI’s Sharing the Road program is dedicated to teaching driver education students, and the community, how to safely share the road with trucks or other large vehicles. VTTI has reached over 27,000 students in the past 6 years and intends to continue educating the public about the dangers that come from being on the road with heavy vehicles. Our institute seeks Regional Team Members to take our program on the road to states across the country to educate novice drivers and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be outgoing, confident, and a dynamic speaker whose message resonates with teens. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience in a teaching or classroom setting, the ability to maintain a positive learning environment, and comfort presenting to large groups of individuals. The ideal candidate will also have a passion for road safety, and expertise in articulating scientific findings to engage and motivate teens.

At the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), a world-leading research enterprise, we are working with government agencies, transportation and safety organizations, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers, and others to overcome challenges and improve transportation safety and performance on the world’s roads. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4VWviw5JA).

Transportation affects the safety and quality of lives of almost everyone. You can play a part in saving lives by educating drivers about the safety countermeasures and risks associated with heavy vehicles.

Key responsibilities include:
1. Outreach Presentations (90%) Leading and/or assisting both in class and hands-on demonstration components of VTTI’s Sharing the Road Program. Creating an inclusive, informative, and engaging learning environment.
2. Logistics (5%) Assist supervisor in planning and coordinating the multiple moving pieces that make VTTI’s Sharing the road possible (e.g. working with different schools and communities to plan the events, managing and coordinating the resources needed, disseminating event surveys, etc.)
3. Educational Material Development and Outreach (5%) Assist supervisor with updating current educational materials and developing new content based on effective educational best practices. This includes developing supporting documents and briefing materials.

This position will involve regional travel with occasional longer distance travel. Ideal candidate will reside in the Richmond, VA Beach/Chesapeake, Northern VA, or Blacksburg areas within the state of Virginia. Candidates residing in the state of Delaware accepted as well. Criminal conviction check and driver's license check are required. Some aspects of this position may be physically demanding (e.g., considerable walking, standing, bending stooping, moderate lifting, hand/finger dexterity needed, good vision & hearing).

During peak Share the Road months (September – November & February – May) this position may be expected to work some 40-hour weeks and in turn will have weeks throughout the year of no work at all. We are seeking individuals that are interested in and capable of working this unique schedule.

• Driver Education or law enforcement background.
• Demonstrated project/classroom management or logistical experience in coordinating complex objectives in an academic or industrial environment
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills
• Excels with public speaking to large groups
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong work habits and the ability to work independently as well as with a team
• Creative, independent, and highly motivated

• Bachelor’s degree in education, business administration, or psychology with a strong background in education with high school teens.
• Engineering Education background
• CDL or experience as a CMV driver

4

Restricted

Starting at $25/hr, commensurate with experience

3/1/2024

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.