This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that they be the recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program enables staff from diverse backgrounds to conduct scientific research across many areas. Researchers become employees of universities identified as part of the PREP Program. In this position, the researcher will perform technical work that supports the scientific research of the collaboration.
NIST has long-standing expertise in reducing natural hazard risks and enhancing the resilience of communities and their buildings and infrastructure systems. A senior researcher or faculty member is sought with expertise in community resilience planning and experience working with community officials. This individual will support the development of revisions or a new addendum to the NIST Community Resilience Planning Guide and Playbook (hereafter referred to as the Guide and Playbook, https://www.nist.gov/community-resilience/planning-guide).
Since the publication of the Guide and Playbook, communities across the Nation have taken action to plan for and increase their resilience to natural hazards. Resilience measurement science and practical approaches to measure the resilience of communities and their underlying infrastructure systems have continued to advance. Additionally, communities seek information and processes to plan for future resilience.
Phase 1:
- Review the methodology in the Playbook and identify where urban planning perspectives may enhance the methodology and identify what additions could be made.
- Review the Guide publications and identify where urban planning perspectives may be useful, and identify what additions could be made. This includes a new chapter in Vol II that provides perspective on urban planning relative to community planning.
- Develop an annotated outline with a narrative description for both tasks, with relevant grey and peer-reviewed literature cited for review by NIST. Also, present this information to the CR Team at NIST for awareness and feedback from the larger group.
Phase 2:
- Identify and incorporate lessons from CoE use cases of the Guide - this will require coordination with NIST and ARA for a template/format.
- Review cases of application of data, data tools, and models for resilience planning, including those related to but not limited to future natural hazards. This review will be particularly focused on the use cases amongst urban and hazard planners including those promoted through professional associations.
- Develop an annotated outline with a narrative description for both tasks, with relevant grey and peer-reviewed literature cited for review by NIST, that identifies the proposed guide revisions. Also, present this information to the CR Team at NIST for awareness and feedback from the larger group.
Candidates must be eligible to obtain a Department of Commerce background check for facility access.
Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Support the review and development of proposed updates for the NIST Guide and associated products.
- Coordinate and collaborate with NIST and other project researchers as needed, including regular meetings (monthly meetings at a minimum).
Qualifications
- A master’s or PhD degree in urban planning, engineering, or another discipline related to applied community planning or resilience planning.
- An excellent record of research, publications, and documented strong communication skills related to urban and resilience planning.
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a larger, multi-disciplinary team to achieve project objectives, meet project deadlines and reporting requirements, and help mentor other team members.
Preferred Qualifications
A strong background in community engagement and decision-making, community resilience planning, and knowledge of approaches to address future natural hazards and conditions.
Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:
- 1-2 pg statement of interest that highlights experience and capabilities
- Curriculum vitae
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.