Local Field Liaison

University of Kansas
United States, Kansas, Lawrence
1450 Jayhawk Boulevard (Show on map)
Jul 10, 2025
Position Overview The Local Roads Support Team to the Kansas Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) has identified the unique nature of local roads that challenges the ability to reduce crashes in the state: Local roads are less likely to be built to modern operational and safety standards. Local governments, particularly those in rural counties, may have less access to professional services and dedicated funding for safety improvements. Different stakeholders are involved in highway safety decision-making in local agencies (such as city or county commissioners). There are varying levels of awareness about safety problems and how to address them. Evidence from other states around the country indicates that reductions in crashes on rural roads can be achieved with a coordinated, proactive outreach approach to local agencies that includes safety engineering analysis, on-site technical assistance, and training in safety and operations. This position will provide traffic engineering services and advice as a local field liaison, particularly targeted to road and bridge agencies and street departments with limited or no in-house transportation safety engineering resources to conduct these activities on their own. The Local Field Liaison will coordinate and provide road safety assessments, identify low-cost safety improvements, assist in developing local road safety plans, and deliver local road safety training. They will work with KUTC Communications and Outreach Coordinator to develop a series of road safety briefs suitable for publication in KUTC newsletters or online to support the Kansas LTAP. The position will coordinate with other road safety activities provided or funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation to create added value and avoid duplication of effort. Due to the nature of this work, the successful candidate can expect to travel approximately 8-12 days per month across Kansas. Job Description (80%) Work directly with county and city public works agencies in Kansas as a part of the Kansas Local Technical Assistance Program (Kansas LTAP). Primary tasks in this duty include: planning and implementing visits to local agencies for coordination of practical road safety assessments safety engineering analysis and identification of low-cost safety improvements providing guidance in applying for funding for safety improvements assistance in the implementation of local road safety plans answering inquiries from local agencies distribution of relevant technology transfer materials to local agencies visited assisting with the equipment loan program and developing reports to key stakeholders. This task will also include the development and delivery of curriculum for roadway safety training for local agency staff, elected officials, and law enforcement officials. (10%) Work with the KUTC Communications and Outreach Coordinator to develop road safety and maintenance briefs, fact sheets, and articles suitable for distribution by Kansas LTAP. (5%) Represent the KUTC with key transportation organizations that are stakeholders in the technology transfer products and services of the KUTC. (5%) Other duties as assigned. Position Requirements Hybrid work schedule is possible with supervisor approval. Telework if living in KS is possible with supervisor approval. Required Qualifications A valid Kansas Professional Engineer's (PE) license. Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience working directly for or with local transportation public works agencies. Previous experience as a trainer for transportation engineering, highway safety, local road maintenance, or transportation operations topics as evidenced by application materials. Previous experience that required working with pertinent transportation manuals and guidebooks such as The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, The Roadside Design Guide, A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, and the Kansas Handbook of Traffic Control Guidance for Low-Volume Rural Roads as evidenced by application materials. Previous experience using engineering judgment in situations that do not comply with standard guidance, as evidenced by application materials. Previous experience collecting, analyzing, or using transportation data of one or more of the following types: traffic volume and speed data, crash records, roadway geometric data, or other data as evidenced by application materials. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree plus eight years of experience working directly for or with local transportation public works agencies. Previous experience with technical writing in one or more of the following areas: transportation engineering, roadway safety, or local road maintenance as shown in application materials. Previous experience that required establishing priorities in a complex technical environment with competing responsibilities as evidenced in application materials. Proven record of the ability to meet deadlines as shown in application materials. Additional Candidate Instructions In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position: Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. Resume List of three (3) professional references Only complete applications will be considered. Application review begins Monday July 21, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified. Contact Information to Applicants Steven Schrock, schrock@ku.edu Advertised Salary Range $85,000-$99,000 Commensurate with experience Application Review Begins Monday July 21, 2025 Anticipated Start Date Tuesday September 2, 2025