Technical Project Specialist III

Position Title:
Technical Project Specialist III

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
• Degree in engineering, construction management or a related field
• Education, experience, or certification (e.g., PMP) in project management
• Experience in planning and managing the delivery of large-scale research facilities (e.g., National Science Foundation research infrastructure)
• Experience with navigating multiple levels of policy compliance and requisite safety protocols
• Experience in wind engineering, aerodynamics, or related field

Job Description:

Summary

The Department of Aerospace Engineering has a new and exciting opportunity for a Technical Project Specialist III to work with the National Testing Facility for Enhancing Wind Resiliency of Infrastructure in Tornado-Downburst-Gust Front Events (NEWRITE), a project sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This $14M project, for a period of 4-years starting in October 2023, is to design a full-scale facility, NEWRITE, to simulate realistic wind fields in windstorm events (tornado, downburst, gust-front) to enable physical testing of their loading and damaging effects on civil infrastructure, and to construct a scaled model of the full-scale facility (s-NEWRITE) on Iowa State University’s campus: https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2023/10/04/newrite .

The Technical Project Specialist III will oversee project management activities including tracking of the project’s schedule and progress, oversight of deliverables and milestones, facilitate meetings and reporting requirements, and assist with procurement of components and instrumentation. Additionally, this position will conduct risk assessment, mitigation, analysis, and contingency planning, as well as quality control, testing and data management for the constructed facility. Facilitating the collaboration between partners and with NSF, this position will be the main coordinator between multiple project teams, and work closely with ISU’s facilities teams to assist with coordination of contractors, sub-contractors, and vendors.

This is a fixed term position, with expectation for renewal every year based on availability of funding, located on campus in Ames, Iowa. All staff members are expected to interact collegially and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethics.

Examples of Duties

• Develops and manages  the project execution plan; suggests options for improving quality and delivery, identifies potential problems, recommends, and implements solutions; and is accountable for project milestones.

• Utilizing senior level technical expertise, works independently to formulate methods and suggest options for improving quality, identifying potential problems, and recommending and implementing solutions.

• Exercises decision making authority to overcome technical challenges and project plan changes.

• Oversees day-to-day operation of project, including resource allocation,  timelines, and deliverables, and provides direction to other project staff.

• Provides oversight of project and/or processes, while working to maintain optimization of project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.

• Develops test protocols, data management and facility management.

• Authors progress and regulatory reports in accordance with university policies and state and federal requirements.

• Acts as liaison to industry and/or university partners depending on project needs.

• Participates in risk assessments of project, equipment, and/or processes.

Level Guidelines

• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals

• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude

• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action

• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices

• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff

• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist

• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

April 30, 2025

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS811

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:
February 20, 2024

Posting Close Date:
March 19, 2024

Job Requisition Number:
R14007