Principal Traffic Engineer

Job Summary

DEFINITION

Supervises, coordinates, and monitors the work of assigned staff engaged in large and complex transportation projects. Develops and implements standards for maintenance and operation of traffic signs, signals, striping, and markings.

SUPERVISION

Works under the administrative supervision of the City Traffic Engineer who outlines work, reviews work in progress and upon completion. Exercises general supervision over professional and technical staff.

Representative Duties

Supervises employees engaged in the performance of a variety of transportation engineering, systems management, and maintenance projects related to streets, sidewalks, and traveler advisory and traffic signal systems. Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates the work of assigned staff.

Develops, reviews, and monitors municipal and regional transportation capital improvement programs and other safety improvements in conjunction with consultants, other City departments and divisions, and regional and state agencies.

Coordinates processing of public use permits (i.e., street use permits, traffic control plans) within the division. Performs quality assurance reviews of traffic control plans.

Assists in the coordination and interface of the City’s transportation system with the regional transportation system. May represent the City in professional meetings, workshops, and seminars.

Plans, coordinates, and develops engineering plans and specifications for large and/or complex public works improvement projects such as streets, traffic signal system operations and infrastructure, neighborhood traffic calming projects, traveler advisory systems, and related transportation management projects.

Performs specialized design and difficult engineering research projects and analyses; estimates costs and time requirements for current and projected construction projects.

Conducts selection of engineering consultants including developing scope, requests for proposals, negotiation, and project administration. Coordinates the preparation of contract documents and specifications.

Reviews traffic signal operations, timing plans and performance reports to identify and implement signal timing updates for enhanced safety and operation for all roadway users.

Oversees and monitors the performance of division staff, contractors, and consultants under contract with the City to ensure that work is being done on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with the terms of the contracts and the division’s work plan.

Inspects construction sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to engineering plans, specifications, and construction and safety standards.

Prepares and maintains project budgets and ensures that projects stay within their allocated budget. Makes budget recommendations for the division’s annual/midyear operating budget. Manages budget and procurement for traffic related software and services.

Conducts studies, maintains records, and prepares a variety of reports, including reports on the economic feasibility of current and proposed projects, potential traffic safety and operational problems, and issues raised by the Council, the public, and other City departments.

Operates a computer to maintain, retrieve, update, and access a variety of technical engineering data, including Computer Aided Design (CAD), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spreadsheets, and related software.

Prepares reports for City Council, private and public organizations, boards, commissions, outside agencies, and the City’s management staff.

Provides technical expertise and advice to other City departments, task forces, commissions, and the public. Meets and confers with representatives from other government agencies, private agencies, and other engineering associations.

Responds to inquiries from the public, contractors, developers, and engineers and resolves conflict with departmental staff and the public.

Assumes the duties of the City Traffic Engineer in their absence.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

Knowledge of:

P rinciples of employee supervision, training, and coordination

Principles, practices, and methods of traffic engineering

Principles, practices, and methods of traffic signal optimization
Principles of f ield engineering, including inspection and construction practices
Construction methods, materials, and equipment

Mathematics and physics applicable to civil and traffic engineering

Applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances

Budget development and project management

Contract administration, proposal writing, grant writing, right-of-way negotiations and entitlement processing

Computer aided design, databases, spreadsheets, and related technical software

State and federal standards pertaining to road design, such as the CA MUTCD

Principles of e ffective customer service

Ability to:

Select, train, supervise and evaluate staff

Manage transportation planning and traffic engineering projects and contracts

Conduct engineering research and compile technical data

Read plans and specifications

Analyze complex engineering projects and determine the most cost-effective approach

Prepare analytical and economic feasibility reports

Use CAD and related engineering software systems

Perform field work and conduct inspections of job sites

Interpret and apply policies, laws, and regulations

Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports and recommendations

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees, contractors, developers, City boards and commissions, and the general public

Provide effective customer service

Work effectively with people from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches

Education, Training, and Experience:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in c ivil e ngineering or a closely related field.

Experience: Four years of recent, paid, progressively responsible work experience in civil/ transportation engineering. Two years of the required experience must have included project management experience and experience supervising or leading and coordinating the work of others. Successful completion of the City of Santa Monica’s Pre-Supervisory Academy may substitute for one year of experience supervising or leading and coordinating the work of others.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (PE) in the State of California.

Registration as a Professional Traffic Engineer (TE) in the State of California is highly desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Work is regularly performed indoors in an office or home environment, in accordance with the City’s Telework/Flexible Workplace Policy. Site visits are required so some work occurs outdoors in the community. Outdoor work requires exposure to moving equipment, dust, noise, odor, slippery surfaces and season weather conditions; it will be required to use safety gear and follow safety procedures. Work involves deadlines and multiple assignments. The incumbent is occasionally required to work evenings and/or weekends. Work during weekends or evenings may be required.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must submit an online City application and required supplemental questions to be considered for this position. Please note , applications may be rejected if incomplete. Résumés, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process and should not be submitted.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college diploma/transcript with your application. Applicants who indicated receipt of degree from a foreign institution must provide United States degree and credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcript. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. You must upload and attach a scanned copy of your transcripts or diploma to your on-line application.

SELECTION PROCESS : All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding their qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Testing may consist of the following:
Training & Experience Evaluation - Qualifying
Oral Interview- 100%

NOTE: If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS :
Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation. The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 8/1/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• City of Santa Monica

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