Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26279
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Lee Spangler, Interim Director of WTI
spangler@montana.edu
406-994-7527
Classification Title Managing Director
Working Title Director, Western Transportation Institute
Brief Position Overview
Montana State University ( MSU ) is seeking an innovative and energetic research leader to serve as the Director of the Western Transportation Institute ( WTI ).
The Director provides guidance, management and oversight to all aspects of a large, nationally recognized research center and contributes to Montana State University's land grant mission of teaching, research and service. The successful candidate will have a passion for and experience in advancing transportation research, attracting and managing new research funding, working collaboratively with state transportation departments and federal agencies, and preparing the next generation of transportation professionals. The position requires exceptional strategic vision, multidisciplinary knowledge, and collaborative leadership skills to continue WTI's growth, integration with MSU's academic departments, including the Department of Civil Engineering, and collaboration with the Montana Department of Transportation. This position is a full-time administrative and research role.
Position Number 4C0738
Department Western Transportation Institute
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $160,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Western Transportation Institute ( WTI ) was founded in 1994 by the Montana and California Departments of Transportation and Montana State University, with the goal of spearheading applied research to solve the real-world transportation challenges in rural America. WTI currently has a staff of 20 professionals and averages approximately $5 million in annual research expenditures.
WTI's research investigates and integrates key topics in rural transportation, including safety, mobility, infrastructure, sustainability, and winter maintenance. Research is complemented by technology transfer initiatives focused on practical guidance and deployment assistance, and educational initiatives that offer experiential learning to students.
WTI has twice been designated as a National University Transportation Center ( UTC ) under the U.S. Department of Transportation ( USDOT ) since 1998 and has also twice been awarded Tier I UTCs. Current large programs include two USDOT 'Safe Streets and Roads for All' awards and a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program at approximately $4.7M, $5M and $6M, respectively. WTI also leads the Montana Local Technical Assistance Program ( LTAP ), serves as a member of a regional Tribal Technical Assistance Program ( TTAP ), and leads the National Center for Rural Road Safety, the Federal-Public Lands Transportation Institute, and the West Region Transportation Workforce Center. Additionally, WTI is a founding member of the Western States Rural Transportation Consortium and one of the two Member Research Institutions for the WSRTC .
WTI collaborates with federal, state, regional and local transportation and related agencies, and has led projects in nearly 40 states across the U.S. and numerous other countries. WTI also partners with other universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private agencies, and maintains a strong national and international presence in the transportation research community, including longstanding leadership roles in the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board ( TRB ). WTI also works closely with the Montana Department of Transportation ( MDT ).
The successful candidate will be responsible for integrating WTI activities with the land grant mission of MSU , in the Department of Civil Engineering and other MSU departments.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of WTI will provide overall organizational leadership, including facilitating and directly engaging in the development and oversight of research programs, interdisciplinary centers, and laboratories. The Director will also serve as Principal Investigator on sponsored research.
Primary duties and responsibilities will include:
Provide the strategic vision and guidance to continue to advance WTI as a recognized center for rural transportation research and education.
Attract and direct externally funded projects to build a relevant, multidisciplinary, and impactful research portfolio.
Engage and support a staff of full-time and part-time professional researchers, jointly appointed researchers/faculty members, affiliated faculty, and administrative/communications staff members.
Partner with the Montana Department of Transportation to help develop Montana's transportation research program as appropriate and ensure MSU's research and outreach efforts address state needs.
Lead outreach and partnership development activities with off-campus collaborators, including federal, state, and local governmental agencies; academic institutions, NGOs, and private entities.
Stimulate national and international dialogue on rural transportation issues by organizing workshops and conferences, providing technical expertise for policy development, and serving as a champion of enhanced rural transportation.
Coordinate WTI management, services, and activities with MSU Administration (Vice President of Research and Economic Development, and other MSU administrators as appropriate, including the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering).
Provide oversight and management of personnel, accounting and services, with a focus on excellence in service and research products provided to sponsors and partners, as well as effective and efficient stewardship of funding and resources.
Continue to develop the Western Transportation Institute into a world class center for transportation research and education.
Enrich relevant MSU academic programs by adding advanced transportation concepts and supervising student research.
Work with the Assistant Vice President for Economic Development and Federal Relations on federal appropriations and earmark requests.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Progressive demonstrated leadership experience in a transportation-related field.
Doctorate in transportation related discipline or Master's Degree with equivalent research and leadership experience.
Proven track record of securing a diverse mix of significant research funding and effectively managing large research portfolios.
Strong experience developing and leading innovative research projects, providing guidance and support to research led by others, and ensuring excellence in research outcomes.
Extensive knowledge of current and emerging topics in rural transportation, and the ability to develop integrated approaches for in-depth, comprehensive studies.
Strong collaboration skills to develop and retain partnerships with public agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, NGOs, and private entities. In particular, candidates with a record of building effective partnerships with federal and state transportation agencies and tribal entities are highly desirable.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Registration as a Professional Engineer, AICP -certified planner, and/or similar professional/practitioner experience in the transportation industry.
Experience leading or working with USDOT University Transportation Centers or other federal Centers of Excellence
Experience working with transportation professionals and agencies in small urban, rural and/or tribal areas.
Ability to recruit, inspire, coordinate, and support talented researchers and staff, individually and in teams.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with state transportation departments to advance transportation research.
The Successful Candidate Will
Demonstrated commitment to the research, teaching and outreach mission of WTI and Montana State University.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to represent WTI at the state, federal, and international level, as well as to articulate and champion the issues of rural transportation.
An extensive network among professional transportation practitioners and prominent visibility in the national research community.
Proven institutional management skills and exceptional ethical values.
Have an appreciation of a broad range of constituencies and add intellectual diversity to the department.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Must be able to travel as needed to meet with state and national partners.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on February 20, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
