Traffic Signal Maintenance Technician

Traffic Signal Maintenance Technician

This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. The City of Alameda Public Works Department currently has one vacancy for Traffic Signal Maintenance Technician (full-time, 40 hours/week).

Known as the "City of Homes and Beaches," Alameda is a 10.6 square mile urban island city located in the middle of beautiful San Francisco Bay. With easy access to all of the amenities of the Bay Area, Alameda is seven miles east of San Francisco and less than one mile west of Oakland, just a short drive north of the Oakland International Airport. The City of Alameda's mission is to support the maintenance of a community where people can live, work, and play in a sustainable urban environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. Alameda is committed to the organizational core values of innovation, integrity, professionalism, flexibility, and responsiveness. The City provides a broad range of services including police and fire protection; construction and maintenance of streets, parks, storm drains and other infrastructure; an electric municipal utility; recreational and cultural activities; and general government and administrative support services.

As the nation's 115th agency to be accredited by the American Public Works Association, the City of Alameda Public Works Department is the steward of Alameda's public infrastructure, responsible for its design, construction, and maintenance. It is the vision of the agency to become the best trained, most talented and efficient public works department in the entire Bay Area. Come and join our dynamic team to be an integral part of this vision!

Under general supervision performs installation, maintenance and repairs to electronically sophisticated traffic control systems and to other electrical equipment and systems throughout City facilities. Performs other related work as required.

Benefits of employment include:

• CalPERS Retirement
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vacation
• Holidays
• Floating holidays
• Sick leave
• Deferred compensation

This is a journey level classification assigned to the traffic signal station maintenance specialty. Incumbents are required to have a thorough knowledge of the maintenance and repair of traffic signal and traffic controlling equipment gained through formal education in electrical or electronic trade school, or from considerable and varied experience in working with the installation, maintenance and repair of electric and electronic traffic control devices.

Essential duties include:

1. Maintains and repairs traffic signal systems including wiring, conduits, signal poles, controllers, electronic switching, equipment and vehicle detection.
2. Makes continuous and detailed field checks to locate trouble or causes of failure; adjusts electronic detectors (i.e. vehicle actuated) and time controllers (i.e. fixed time); replaces signal lamps; checks preemptors and time clocks; cleans signal faces and reflectors; repairs faulty parts (i.e. modules and flashers).
3. Repairs signal pole knock-downs.
4. Installs and maintains electrical and mechanical equipment in City facilities.
5. Troubleshoots electrical problems and failures in City facilities.
6. Operates and maintains electric and electronic measuring devices such as Volt-Ohm meters; operates welding equipment such as Arc and Oxy-Acetylene welders.
7. Drives and operates specialized vehicular equipment.
8. Prepares and maintains reports and records such as inventory records, damage reports and traffic signal maintenance records.
9. May provide lead direction and training for subordinate employees.

Working conditions include:

• Work is primarily performed outdoors on City streets with regular exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, wind, and humidity.
• Frequent exposure to electrical and mechanical hazards, noise, dust, and fumes during traffic signal maintenance tasks.
• Travel by City vehicle within City limits to City work sites, locations, and meetings to conduct work.
• Work at heights to access traffic signal equipment, lighting, conduit, or wiring.
• May work alone or in proximity to others depending on task assignments.
• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed for various tasks.
• Subject to occasional emergency call-outs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical demands include:

• Must possess physical strength and stamina to perform moderate to heavy physical labor for extended periods.
• Standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, climbing ladders, kneeling, and reaching overhead or below the waist.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tools, equipment, and materials typically weighing up to 50 pounds; heavier lifting may be required with assistance.
• Seeing to inspect detailed work and read instructions, gauges, or electronic displays.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers coordination to operate hand and power tools, computer equipment, and precision instruments.
• Hearing and speaking to hear alarms, signals, or verbal instructions in a noisy environment.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, at height, and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Education/Experience Any combination equivalent to education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education : Equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by courses in electricity and electronics. Experience : Progressively responsible experience in the skilled maintenance and repair of solid state control systems and equipment Knowledge Knowledge of electrical and electronic theory; electrical equipment repair and maintenance; tools and equipment used in the repair and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment; maintenance and repair techniques for traffic signal and control devices and safe work practices and procedures. Ability Ability to troubleshoot and install traffic signal equipment, and systems; plan and complete work involving conduit and wiring in accordance with national standards; repair and test electronic equipment; operate heavy equipment, and electric and electronic measuring devices; install and operate signalized computer systems; troubleshoot and repair microprocessor based control and communication equipment; diagnose electronic failures to the component level; work in high places; operate specialized vehicular equipment; interpret electrical codes and regulations; read and interpret blue prints, maps and drawings; maintain accurate records and prepare reports; communicate effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public; provide lead direction and training to subordinate employees. Special Requirements Willingness and ability to respond to after-hours emergency calls as required. Other Requirements Possession of an International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Level I Certification for Signal Technician or the ability to obtain within one year of employment. Possession of a valid Class B State of California Driver's License (or possession of a valid Class C license at the time of employment and the ability to obtain Class B within six months of employment) and a satisfactory driving record as conditions of initial and continued employment. Employees in positions requiring a Class B license are subject to provisions of the Department of Transportation's drug and alcohol testing program.

Selection process may include an application and supplemental questionnaire evaluation, a written exam, a performance exam, and/or an oral interview. The examination process may test for, but is not limited to, the essential knowledge and abilities listed in the job specification and announcement and will be designed to provide a comprehensive review of each candidate's technical knowledge and overall suitability for the position. Qualified applicants will be notified of the exact date, time, and location of examinations approximately two weeks in advance. Candidates passing all components of the examination process will be placed on an Eligible List. A list of names is certified to the department(s) having vacancies based on the type of examination conducted pursuant to the provision of the City's Civil Service Rules. Final selection will be made from the Eligible List by the Department Head subject to approval by the City Manager. The Department Head may utilize additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. Placement on an Eligible List does not guarantee employment. Prior to appointment, a thorough reference check will be conducted which may include a credit check and background. The selection process may be evaluated and revised based on the number of qualified applicants. Federal law requires that prior to employment, you must furnish proof of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States, as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The City of Alameda utilizes the Federal government's E-Verify program and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization, which includes showing a valid United States Social Security card at the time of hire (photocopies not accepted). Veteran's Preference Credit : A job applicant qualifies as a veteran if honorably discharged from active military, reservist, or National Guard duty of at least 18 consecutive months within the past five (5) years of the date of application. In case of discharge attributable to service-connected injuries or illnesses, the 18 months active duty requirement need not be fulfilled. An applicant claiming veteran's preference credit must attach to their application, a legible copy of their DD-214 verifying the type