Director, Western Transportation Institute

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26279
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Lee Spangler, Interim Director of WTI
spangler

Classification Title Managing Director
Working Title Director, Western Transportation Institute

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.

Department Western Transportation Institute
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester
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
Recruitment Type Open

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.

The Director of WTI will provide overall…