Supervising Traffic Engineer at City of Yakima – Yakima, Washington

The Engineering Division not only delivers transportation projects, but also provides contract administration for City Water, Wastewater, Parks, Stormwater, developments and other projects. If you would enjoy working with a small collaborative team of engineering professionals, and delivering quality improvements to the Yakima community, apply today!

MINIMUM CLASS REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience to include traffic/transportation engineering design, planning and project administration. Experience must also include at least two (2) years of lead, supervisory or project management experience. Certification as an EIT or PE in the State of Washington is preferred and may substitute for bachelor’s degree.

*Four years additional engineering experience may also substitute for bachelor’s degree.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES: Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License. Certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Washington is preferred.

Under limited direction and supervision performs a variety of administrative and supervisory duties involved in engineering support of street and traffic programs. Plans, coordinates, and directs the Traffic Engineering Office. Offers support to the Signal and Sign Shops. Performs, administers and oversees: responses to resident complaints and reports of hazardous street conditions; inventories of streets by conduction of pavement condition index (PCI) inspections; conducts traffic volume and speed counts; analysis of collision data; preparation of grant applications; review and administration of City’s school safety programs and related grants for pedestrian and bicycle safety; directs the City’s Traffic-Calming program and traffic studies. Assists in preparation of Division budget and activity reports; is responsible for traffic control, street lighting and dimensions, enforcing related City ordinances; coordinates with contract personnel; and supervises technical personnel.

Plans and coordinates traffic engineering; assists in the preparation of the Division budget.

Supervises and participates in the work of the division; establishes and coordinates employee work schedules; coordinates work performed with other divisions; provides guidance and direction to subordinate staff. Oversees, reviews and assigns work; trains, and develops subordinate staff in City standards and in the conduction of traffic studies and other related work; may drive City vehicles; conducts on-site inspections as necessary; provides professional leadership and ongoing development opportunities to staff; evaluates individual performance including recommending employment or disciplinary action as necessary. Provides guidance to staff in resolving difficult or unusual situations and problems. Responsible for performance of subordinates; ensures compliance with all applicable laws, State and Federal regulations, City ordinances, policies, procedures and sound financial practices.

Coordinates, conducts, and supervises as necessary, traffic studies evaluating and interpreting transportation data, and developing short and long-range plans. Work with other divisions and private developers to administer and oversee application of City, State and Federal standards for both public and private projects as part of the City’s Development Services Team (DST).

Reviews and assures the accuracy of designs, cost estimates, and specifications for streets, intersections, traffic signals, traffic signs, pavement markings, and street lighting; reviews permits and subdivision plans for driveways, street closures, building construction, parades, and other conditions and existing facilities for compliance with City and State regulations.

Prepares various reports for management and presents to City Council.

Assists in the preparation of the long-range construction program; coordinates the city's traffic engineering function with the work of other departments.

Works with the Planning Division and other engineers in conducting studies, evaluating and interpreting transportation data, and developing short- and long-range plans responding to existing or anticipated transportation concerns.

Writes, edits, reviews and evaluates various reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and assists with the preparation and completion of the division budget, state and federal grants and other funding matters. Tracks and records various documents and corresponding information including but not limited to: time, equipment, materials, public meeting attendance, and any other reports reflecting status of projects. Recommends future capital improvements; requisitions equipment and supplies. Monitors budget expenditures. Responsible for identifying and applying for grants and other funding opportunities.

Ensures that all traffic engineering plans are in conformance with City, State and Federal standards and the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Drafts traffic designs, maps and condition diagrams.

Directs and conducts studies and makes recommendations concerning regulations, traffic design construction and other conditions affecting the safety and convenience of general public rights-of-way within the City.

Maintains traffic engineering policies and procedures with staff and general public and recommends updating as necessary.

Maintains the City’s Pavement Management Program; enters street data; updates and maintains street maintenance data.

Performs various traffic safety duties; reviews, analyzes and calculates geometric and pavement marking designs, maintains pavement marking inventory maps and other related traffic engineering assignments in conformance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Identifies roadway system needs such as sight distance, roadway obstacles, delineation and alignment and other potential improvements.

Reviews proposed access locations and construction feasibility.

Reviews traffic-calming requests; participates in the organization and administration of public meetings as it pertains to traffic-calming measures and school related pedestrian and bicycle safety; develops traffic control plans as appropriate. Meets and works with representatives of community and special interest groups, City officials, general public, businesses and agencies in formal and informal forums. May serve as staff representative and liaison with government agencies, residential and professional organizations, and the general public, to provide continuous community involvement and input. May attend hearings, meetings, bid-openings and other activities as a spokesperson for the Engineering or Traffic Division as designated. May confer with elected officials, other division supervisors, officials of local, state and federal agencies; and respond to resident concerns and complaints. Makes presentations to City Council, Hearing Examiner, public agencies and civic groups.

Conducts and analyzes traffic studies including traffic counts, accident records, signal timing records, signal progression records, lighting surveys, speed studies, traffic ordinances, pedestrian studies, delay studies, parking studies, before and after studies of improvements, etc.

May monitor and investigate traffic accidents according to established procedures; enter number of accidents and midblock and intersection locations into computer; prepare appropriate records to ensure the safety of the general public.

Travels to various locations to investigate and/or monitor vegetation and other possible obstructions at intersections and driveways to ensure safe sight distance for motorists, contact business, homeowner or City regarding trimming or removal of obstruction.

Acts safely and responsibly when driving and/or operating vehicles and other motorized equipment to perform required duties. Work is performed in a variety of locations in a timely and efficient manner. Legally adheres to all traffic laws and regulations.

Assesses community needs regarding the safe, efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the roadway system. Reviews and analyzes transportation system needs. Reviews development traffic studies and provides input to the Design Review Team. Receives complaints and requests from citizens and/or other interested persons; investigates to determine applicable solutions. Notifies citizens of action taken or complaints/requests.

Contributes to the effective administration of City government by fostering an attitude among staff that encourages cooperation and coordination of efforts and efficient use of resources. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.

Requires regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Working knowledge of: the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Policy on Geometric Design of Highway and Streets; application and design of traffic-calming measures; grant applications; law and procedure for developing private and public projects and local improvement districts; and applicable codes and ordinances; traffic engineering principles, practices, and procedures; traffic control equipment design, operation, materials, and construction techniques; current publications, trends, and developments in the field of traffic engineering; traffic control ordinances and requirements of the City and other government agencies; Federal, State and local laws and policies pertaining to traffic; computer applications and design; budget preparation and supervision principles.

Knowledge of federal, state and city laws and ordinances, and City of Yakima policies and procedures, including but not limited to knowledge of federal, state and local traffic laws, rules and regulations. Knowledge of best principles and techniques of supervision and leadership; practices and principles of work flow and systems analysis; record keeping systems, processes, and practices; best principles and practices for project and financial management; municipal records retention procedures, and techniques. Demonstrates knowledge and sound judgement with regard to public disclosure, and confidentiality standards.

Strong working knowledge of: computer spreadsheets; databases; industry applications; Microsoft Office Suite including Excel; report writing tools; professional office procedures and practices; and computerize municipal budgetary and fiscal management practices. Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer, fax machine, copy machine, telephone etc.

Knowledge of techniques and strategies for dissemination of complex and/or technical written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to managers, staff, government officials, public and private interest groups, and members of the public.

Ability to: plan and direct the work of others; apply relevant traffic laws, ordinances, codes, standards and specifications to the work of the Department; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City officials and the general public and to deal with each in a courteous, diplomatic, and tactful manner; communicate clearly and effectively, with employees, members of the public representing diverse education and backgrounds, and with officials at all levels of government, utilizing well developed communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business English, and plain English, including but not limited to correct grammar, vocabulary, letter composition, editing, spelling, and punctuation.

Ability to negotiate and clearly and concisely present complex information in both written and verbal formats. Must possess the ability to make informative and persuasive presentations to individuals and groups, conduct public meetings, and participate in public forums. Must routinely and regularly maintain confidentiality and discretion through all forms of communication; facilitate and lead cohesive, positive and highly productive work teams with a customer service focus. Ability to train, supervise, plan, organize, and direct the work of others; evaluate personnel performance; provide constructive feedback to subordinates; to positively receive feedback and take direction.

Ability to work independently with self-direction and minimal direction or oversight; maintain sustained attention to detail and work under timeline pressures; prioritize and assign workloads; manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines. Excellent analytical and organizational skills are essential. Must possess ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and demands.

Ability to develop, present and gain acceptance for long-range programs and budgets. Must be able to locate grant resources and prepare grant proposals for projects.

Must be able to drive legally with efficiency, precision, speed and safety. Ability to consistently work safely and in compliance with the federal, state and local regulations, laws, policies and standards; to recognize traffic hazards and other potential safety concerns; and to make sound decisions and actions while performing duties and/or operating vehicles.

Ability to work extended hours as needed to carry out the supervisory responsibilities of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is often performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer terminal for periods of time or while standing for a period of time. Constant use of both hands in reaching/handling/grasping/keyboarding and other fine skills manipulation while driving, performing duties and operating on computers. Occasional heavy work includes lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds. Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, ladders and other inclines while maintaining balance and stability. Occasional bending/twisting at knees/waist/neck. Occasional stooping/bending/kneeling/crawling while performing duties. Constant use of all senses including feeling/talking/hearing/seeing while driving, performing duties and communicating with co-workers, general public and completing all tasks as assigned. Must be able to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory. Work may require occasional driving/traveling to a variety of locations. May work outside in all weather extremes and be exposed to insects, animals, vermin, water, dirt, dust, construction debris, smoke, electrical hazards, noxious odors, fumes, or chemicals, solvents, oil, vibrations, needles/drug paraphernalia, traffic and/or rough and uneven terrain. May work at heights, in confined spaces or awkward positions, remote locations or in noisy work area. Will be required to wear safety protective gear when necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS May encounter hostile or upset individuals or groups. May require some evening or weekend work to address workload and/or when meeting with the public. Required to carry a cell phone and respond to technological or operating issues and/or emergency situations outside the normal work schedule, including weekends and holidays. May require routine driving/traveling from site to site to perform duties including but not limited to inspections, and/or for attendance at meetings, including evening meetings.