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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00200991 |
Description Activated On: 10/14/2026 2:21:25 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. As Manager of the Evaluations and Research Unit (New Products & Innovations Section): supervises staff and manages the comprehensive engineering and administrative duties & responsibilities of the unit. Applies engineering practices and principles to make sound decisions and judgments related to the completion of work assignments. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. 1. Participates in various Department Modernization Initiatives by providing technical expertise and support. Initiatives include, but are not limited to: quality improvement initiatives, Statewide Transportation Innovation Council Technical Advisory Groups (STIC TAG teams), Pro Tier Reviews, FHWA’s Every Day Counts initiatives, internal/external innovation councils and collaborations. 2. Manages the Evaluations & Research Unit, which is responsible for researching & evaluating experimental construction products and technologies; making recommendations based on research, testing and field performance; and developing new or revised specifications, drawings & use guidelines for approved experimental products/technologies; and incorporating promising materials and construction methods into the Department Specifications, Special Provisions, Bulletins, and other publications as warranted. 3. In addition to managing the work of the Unit’s Research Project Specialists, actively participate in the work of the Evaluations & Research Unit by collaborating on large or complex projects, and by working independently on selected projects. This is accomplished by: • Generate, coordinate and document Interest Surveys with the appropriate Central Office and District staff. External groups may be included based on the subject matter. • Coordinate the review of new product applications that have established specifications and ensure that specifications are current. Assignments may include updating current specifications or special provisions.• Providing information and advice to the Districts regarding appropriate materials and technologies for their specific project requirements. • Coordinating with various Districts and Bureaus to identify appropriate projects for evaluation of experimental products and technologies. • Coordinating with the FHWA for research projects involving federal funds. • Initiating evaluations, and assigning work to research project managers based on their expertise and workload. • Directing, reviewing and developing project evaluation work plans, specifications, and related drawings to ensure consistent and effective evaluations. • Overseeing and performing outdoor field work at project sites to evaluate the performance of experimental materials/products. Field work will involve traveling (some overnight stays), measuring and collecting data/information, using equipment, lifting, walking, and interacting with construction crews/equipment on highway/bridge projects. • Overseeing and producing timely, high-quality research reports that will assess the products & technologies under evaluation and determine their acceptability. • Providing recommendations for approval or rejection of products based on research conducted by research project managers. • Conducting technology transfer sessions to educate the Central Office and District Office staff on viable products and technologies. • Performing and/or coordinating drafting necessary specifications, drawings, and use guidelines for implementation of experimental products & technologies; processing them through Clearance Transmittal; and submitting final versions for publication. 4. Represents the Department’s interests in research performed by others: • Investigate and Evaluate other state DOT’s approved (or qualified) products lists and recommend viable products and technologies to be implemented by the Department. Serves as a technical advisor on research projects being performed by consultants and universities. Provides an independent perspective; reviews scopes of work, deliverables, and reports; and provides recommendations for acceptance of the research and the need for continuance, if warranted. • Participates in Transportation Pooled-Fund Studies of interest to the Department. 5. Reviews incoming Clearance Transmittals and provides constructive comments and recommendations for approval, modification or rejection of the subject matter. 6. Oversees and/or participates in the development of publications, training, and other guidance related to new products. 7. Directs and leads meetings & discussions on new product related topics. Conducts and/or attends statewide, regional, district meetings & training. Travel may be required to provide the above. 8. Attends and participates actively in task forces, meetings, conferences, discussion groups, etc. 9. Maintains a high level of professionalism and expertise by identifying training and attending approved training and related events that promote continual improvement in required job skills. 10. Performs and/or manages other special assignments, such as administering & coordinating contracts, conferences, projects, bureau’s business planning, research, writing briefings, responding to various internal and external requests for information, etc., as directed by the Supervisor. 11. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other Central Office staff, Engineering Districts, and other appropriate local/state/federal/ agencies & organizations. 12. Answers written/verbal inquiries and correspondence regarding new products and technologies. Also reviews, analyzes and evaluates legislation and regulations regarding these areas. 13. Prepares written plans for complex tasks, monitors performance, and reports progress to superiors. 14. Participates in bureau/division planning and budgeting to ensure that funds needed for Unit initiatives are included in budget requests. 15. Manages the development and use of appropriate metrics for the Unit to ensure that work results are effectively achieved. 16. Participates & supports the Department’s customer-service and quality improvement efforts. 17. Participates in the identification of gap closure items, the development/scheduling of action plans, and the implementation of action items. 18. Performs other related duties as required. 19. Uses equipment while carrying out various job duties & responsibilities such as: personal computer (with network and mainframe connection, along with its peripheral equipment), telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, common-writing instruments, automobile/light truck/van. 20. Work is performed in a structured office setting with some travel (in state, out-of-state, overnight, day-time, night-time) required to carry out job objectives. 21. Safety 1. Assess your environment and be responsible for your safety, the safety of co-workers, and the public. 2. Attend required safety training and adhere to the requirements of all safety manuals, policies, and laws. 3. Immediately report to your supervisor any incident, unsafe practice, or near miss. 4. When in an enclosed environment (office buildings, confined spaces, flagger stations, equipment pinch points, etc.), know your evacuation process and escape route, your communication protocols, and appropriately react in the event of an incident. 5. Evaluate the contractor’s operations: • Immediately stop any unsafe actions. • Engage in an ongoing safety dialogue with the contractor’s leadership. 6. Promote a CULTURE that emphasizes SAFETY as a core value: • Immediately stop any unsafe actions. • Incorporate safety into all discussions, deliberations, and decisions. • Continuously communicate the safety direction. • Inspire employees to be a MODEL for safety. • Encourage and support safety initiatives and programs by participating and involving staff. • Recognize safety daily. • Acknowledge EXTRAORDINARY achievements. • Learn and improve through After Action Reviews (AAR’s) • Enforce accountability. 22. Succession Planning Take an active role in succession planning by completing a Career Development Plan in collaboration with the supervisor. In conjunction with the supervisor, participate in knowledge management/transfer by identifying key aspects of the job and sharing explicit and tacit program/technical knowledge with other employees. Actively engage in succession planning by assessing potential vacancies; identifying current and future critical needs and competencies; and assessing the interest, availability, and readiness of current staff and candidate pools. Work with employees to complete and maintain a Career Development Plan. Engage employees and recognize employees and their accomplishments. Establish a mechanism to identify, capture, and share explicit and tacit program/technical knowledge among staff. 23. Department Green Plan Policy As part of PennDOT’s MS4 obligations including NPDES Permit compliance and stockpile good housekeeping, commit to following the Departments Green Plan Policy (Pub 712) and the associated principals. Failure to comply with Department Green Plan Policy shall be documented in employee’s performance review. 24. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Unless directed by your supervisor or manager, comply with stated work hours for the 7.5/8.0 hour day. Understand your responsibilities as a supervisor under the FLSA to ensure that employees are paid appropriately for hours they work or are allowed to work—i.e., all time spent furthering the business of the Department. Ensure that your employees are performing work only within their regularly-assigned shift hours, unless overtime has been directed and approved in advance of completed work. There should be no confusion as to when work has officially started or ended. Ensure that all hours employees work are fully accounted for on payroll sheets. This PD does not include every duty of the position and other duties outside of this PD may be asked. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. • Reports directly to the New Products and Innovations Section chief. • Manages the planning, day-to-day operations, and decisions of the Evaluations and Research Unit. Exercises considerable independent initiative and judgment in planning and carrying out work tasks & assignments. Major work assignments are reviewed by the supervisor. • Prepares, organizes, and communicates staff assignments to section subordinates with necessary directions on deadlines and other appropriate specifics. Work is reviewed on an as needed basis at staff meetings, one-on-one meetings, through memos/e-mail, daily contacts, and during quarterly reviews. • Represents the Department at meetings, work groups, training, etc., regarding new products & other evaluations & research unit functional areas. • Prepares necessary analyses, recommendations, etc., on major issues/assignments that require decisions or approvals by superiors (supervisor and /or above). • Supervisor and/or other superiors may provide work assignments; however, independent latitude is given to conduct the work. In some cases, ultimate decision authority may rest with supervisor or superiors depending upon the assignment. • Prepares and signs formal & informal correspondence responses that pertain to areas within authority as per Department policies. • Also, prepares formal correspondence responses on behalf of superiors for their signature, including: supervisor, division manager, bureau director, deputy secretary for highway administration, and the secretary of transportation. • Has delegated signature authority to sign some documents on behalf of supervisor. • Performs Employee Performance Reviews of staff. • Approves or rejects timesheets, leave and training requests, and other administrative requests from staff. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Professional Engineer 2. Class C Driver's License 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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