Traffic Engineer

Traffic Engineer

Are you passionate about designing safer, smarter, and more efficient transportation systems? We are looking for an innovative and collaborative Traffic Engineer to join our team and make a lasting impact on our community’s infrastructure. The selected candidate will lead a small team and develop projects that support transportation and safety, from traffic studies to improvements in traffic flow, to long-range planning. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, day shift. Schedule will be established upon hire. May be required to work outside these hours to include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Will be required to assist other divisions with coverage during certain times of the year. Come join us!

Duties

Provides professional traffic and transportation engineering services, including traffic operations, roadway capacity, intersection analysis, traffic safety, access management, and transportation planning.

Supervises and evaluates the work of subordinate staff assigned to the City's Signs and Signals Shop; effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, performance, leaves of absence, grievances, work schedules and assignments, disciplinary procedures, performance, training, and safety.

Oversees the installation, maintenance, repair, inspection, and operation of traffic signals, signs, pavement markings, school zone devices, and other traffic control infrastructure.

Evaluates traffic signal timing, operations, equipment, and technology and recommends improvements to enhance safety and traffic flow.

Conducts and reviews traffic studies, traffic counts, crash data, development traffic impact studies, and transportation analyses.

Reviews development plans and provides recommendations regarding access, circulation, traffic control, roadway improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Investigates traffic safety concerns and citizen requests and develops appropriate engineering recommendations.

Develops traffic engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, technical reports, budgets, and project recommendations.

Ensures traffic control devices, traffic signal operations, signage, pavement markings, and related traffic control systems are designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and applicable Iowa Department of Transportation standards.

Coordinates traffic engineering activities with City departments, developers, consultants, contractors, Iowa DOT, other agencies, and the public.

Develops and maintains traffic engineering standards, policies, procedures, and programs in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Manages traffic engineering projects, contracts, equipment, materials, and operating and capital budgets.

Provides professional, technical advice and recommendations to City management, elected officials, boards, commissions, and the public.

Responds to traffic signal and transportation emergencies and coordinates appropriate corrective actions.

Evaluates existing and proposed traffic control systems and recommends improvements based on traffic operations, safety, capacity, technology, and community needs.

Provides technical direction and guidance to Signs and Signals Shop staff and coordinates engineering requirements associated with traffic control installation, maintenance, and repair activities.

Prepares and reviews technical reports, correspondence, presentations, specifications, ordinances, resolutions, and other documents related to traffic engineering and transportation systems.

Represents the City at meetings with developers, consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, neighborhood groups, boards, commissions, and the public regarding traffic engineering and transportation matters.

Maintains regular and punctual attendance and work hours.

Expected to temporarily perform duties outside of normal classification in the event of a declared emergency. In the event that an employee is excused from work other than being sick, they will be required to report to work in a state of declared emergency.

Qualifications

Cognitive Demands, Skills and Abilities: Ability to speak clearly so others can understand the information being communicated; the ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) and at a distance; ability to identify and understand the speech of others; ability to listen to and comprehend information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences; ability to analyze traffic and transportation problems; interpret engineering plans, studies, specifications, and technical data; develops sound engineering recommendations; exercise independent professional judgment; manage multiple priorities; supervise and provide technical direction to staff; make independent decisions involving traffic operations and safety; ability to use traffic engineering, GIS, signal management, and related computer software.

Job Knowledge: Knowledge of traffic engineering principles and practices; traffic signal operations and systems; traffic control devices; roadway and intersection operations; traffic safety; traffic studies and analysis; access management; pedestrian and bicycle facilities; development review; traffic signal timing; signage, pavement markings, roadway design, traffic safety, development review, transportation planning, and applicable federal, state, and local standards, including the MUTCD and Iowa DOT requirements.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication: Requires effective communication skills, including the ability to write, speak, and present clearly, and effectively with fellow employees, the City Council and the general public; ability to read in English and compare similarities and differences between words and numerical sequences; ability to apply common-sense understanding to the work processes, procedures, programs and services; ability to provide and follow written instructions; ability to occasionally deliver public speeches and presentations to staff, the City Manager, the City Council and the general public; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials and staff, business representatives and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, prepare technical reports and correspondence, provide clear recommendations, and establish effective working relationships with employees, City officials, developers, consultants, contractors, other agencies, and the public.

Physical Requirements: The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; ability to move hands and arms quickly, using one or both hands together to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects; the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and safely conduct field inspections near roadways and construction areas; and the ability to use a computer for extended periods, and occasionally lift or carry materials and equipment. Regularly lifts up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a normal indoor office environment with appropriate heating and cooling and is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards other than those normally associated with general public contact, dust or odors. While performing outdoor duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, heights, and vibration. The employee is also occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic and caustic chemicals; and high noise levels. Working in outdoor environments will include work in active roadways, construction sites, traffic signal locations, and other field locations. Appropriate safety procedures and personal protective equipment must be used as required.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license is required throughout the length of employment. Possession of a Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the State of Iowa, or the ability to obtain an Iowa PE licensure within six (6) months from date of hire. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a closely related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in traffic engineering, transportation engineering, municipal engineering, or a closely related field. or Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. PREFERRED: Experience with traffic signal systems, traffic control devices, traffic studies, roadway operations, and development review preferred. Supervisory or lead experience, including assigning work, evaluating performance, training employees, and managing daily operations. Experience with traffic engineering software, GIS, traffic signal management systems, and related technology.