City Traffic Engineer

Salary : $153,441.60 - $195,811.20 Annually
Location : Palmdale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025.0717.3
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 07/17/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Max Number of Applicants: 150


DESCRIPTION


The full salary range for this position is as follows:$70.93 to $90.52. Expected hiring range is as follows: $70.93 to $78.20.
The Traffic Engineer plans, organizes, directs, and participates in the development, operation, optimization and maintenance of the Citywide streetlights, traffic signal and fiber optic network; assumes responsibility for all transportation planning; responding to public complaints related to traffic operation and safety; and the review of development plans as they pertain to the City's transportation system.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management level classification assigned to the Traffic Division. Positions at this level are distinguished by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, amount of time spent performing the duties, and by the nature of the public contact made. Incumbents perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned and provide direct and indirect supervision over assigned staff. Incumbents at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
The Traffic Engineer receives direct administrative direction from the City Engineer under general administrative oversight from the Director of Public Works.
The position exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, maintenance, and clerical staff in the Traffic Division.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES


Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and implement division goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Plan, program, optimize, and direct all City activities related to transportation planning, traffic engineering, streetlight installation, and traffic signal construction and maintenance; coordinate closely with other City departments and divisions, including the GIS Section.
• Engage with the public to solicit feedback on transportation programs and address concerns and complaints promptly.
• Establish and maintain communication with governmental bodies, private companies, organizations, or individuals to support City objectives and ensure compliance with laws and technical standards related to traffic engineering and maintenance.
• Review development proposals for compliance with traffic engineering standards.
• Review, design, and approve traffic-related plans prepared by consultants or in-house staff.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Represent the City in legal matters related to traffic and transportation; coordinate and prepare responses to legal inquiries.
• Develop and maintain a routine maintenance program for traffic control facilities.
• Monitor the performance of current traffic facilities and programs; recommend and support implementation of improvements.
• Oversee and contribute to the development of short- and long-term transportation plans; assess proposals for compliance with City standards.
• Present transportation and traffic engineering information to City Council, commissions, and other groups.
• Recommend vendors and manage contracts related to transportation planning, traffic engineering, and maintenance.
• Prepare and administer the Traffic Division's operations and capital budget.
• Advise the City Engineer and Director of Public Works on transportation and traffic engineering matters.
• Represent the Department and the City as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE


Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Five years of experience in professional transportation and/or traffic engineering including some experience in a responsible administrative or management capacity.
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, traffic engineering, or a related field.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a professional civil engineer or professional traffic engineer in the State of California is required.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Knowledge of:
• Land development, particularly as it relates to federal, state, and local laws or regulations and to City procedures affecting transportation and traffic engineering activities.
• Traffic engineering, transportation engineering, civil engineering, and urban planning principles, concepts, and procedures.
• Principles and laws governing public works contract administration, land use, public safety, and land division.
• Design of traffic signals and interconnect systems and application of traffic control devices on street network.
• Comprehensive knowledge of signal preemptions and communications with the railroad signals
• Design of streetlights to provide a safe environment to the pedestrians and residents.
• Traffic safety review and implementing solutions.
• Computer software related to transportation systems.
• Geographic Information Systems.
• Practices and procedures of municipal public works department.
• Construction methods and materials.
• Principles of personnel management.
• Budget preparation and administration.
Ability to
• Clarify City practices and objectives to relevant public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals.
• Interpret complex inter-disciplinary information originating from within the City or from outside public or private sources and formulate a solution if required.
• Understand and apply principles of transportation systems to various unique urban conditions.
• Prepare analytical reports related to budgetary, technical, and evaluative issues.
• Establish and maintain systems necessary for controlling work quality and quantity.
• Establish and sustain effective quality control over transportation and traffic engineering activities.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate employees.
• Represent the City, Department, and/or Public Works Director in various meetings.
• Make sound and effective decisions regarding operational and personnel functions.
• Establish and foster strong working relationships with individuals encountered during the course of work.
WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, and squatting.
Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.
Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.


Work is performed in a typical temperature controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Frequent work events at construction sites and onsite roadway investigations will occur.
Positions may require occasional overtime; weekend work and travel is rare.
The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.


SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.


DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.


INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.
01


These supplemental questions are part of the selection process and are considered part of your application. These questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to this position. Only the most qualified applicants as determined by the evaluation of this supplemental application will be invited to participate in the selection process. Your answers to the following supplemental questions are required for your application to be considered complete. Please note: if you do not have experience in a given area, type "none." Please do not write "Refer to my resume/application" as these answers will be considered incomplete and you will not be given credit. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02


This position requires a valid California Driver License. If you are extended a conditional offer of employment, you authorize the City of Palmdale to request and review your California Department of Motor Vehicles driving record. Please provide the name and license number as it appears on your license.
03


This position has an expected hiring range of $70.93 to $78.20. With successful annual evaluations, employees are eligible for 5% step increases each year until reaching the top of the salary range. Additional cost-of-living increases may be approved by City Council. Are you comfortable with this pay range and progression schedule?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a current and valid Certificate of Registration as a professional civil engineer or professional traffic engineer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

05


Describe your experience managing a traffic signal and street lighting division. Include your experience designing traffic signals, street lighting as well as traffic signal coordination plans.
06


Describe your experience on applying for State or Federal traffic/transportation related grants.
07


Describe your experience managing and/or designing a city wide traffic signal fiber optic network with a traffic control center.
08


Describe your level of experience on the various traffic/transportation related software programs.
Required Question