City of Evanston

City of Evanston

NATURE OF WORK:

This is a highly responsible administrative, technical, and supervisory position in the Public Services Bureau, overseeing traffic operation activities.  Work involves responsibility for the planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating activities of traffic operations, including working with other bureaus and departments involved in construction, public works improvements, and related issues.  Supervision is exercised over Traffic Electricians and Public Works Maintenance Workers performing work related to the installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic signals, streetlights, traffic signs, pavement markings, and special events. Technical knowledge and skilled judgment are required in the interpretation of electrical plans, code requirements, electronic schematics, and diagrams, and in making recommendations for maintenance and improvement of traffic signals, streetlights, and signing installations.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

●                 Develops and manages the work and activities of traffic operations, including traffic signals, streetlights, signs, pavement markings, permits, special events, and electrical JULIE locates.

●                 Reviews and approves traffic circulation and control plans; inspects and monitors traffic control for construction projects and major right-of-way permits within the City.

●                 Studies traffic engineering issues, including traffic signal timing, operation, and coordination; develops and implements improvement or recommends plans to do so.

●                 Identifies and evaluates the need for repair and/or upgrade to traffic signals, streetlights, and signage and implements improvements or makes recommendations for such. Oversees the repairs and upgrades.

●                 Manages and supervises Traffic Electric and Sign Shop personnel, including a Lead Electrician; determines training and development needs; evaluates performance; recommends disciplinary action when appropriate; plans and implements a work schedule for staff responsible for traffic signals, streetlights, and signage repair and maintenance.

●                 Monitors and maintains inventory levels for supplies, equipment, and vehicles; recommends the purchase of equipment and materials and prioritizes needs in assigned areas for the budget process.

●                 Prepares plans and related documents for traffic signals, streetlights, pavement marking, and signage contracts; bids projects, reviews bids received, recommends acceptance of bids, and processes requisitions.

●                 Manages the banner and block party programs; schedules installations and prepares invoices.

●                 Attends the City’s Special Events Committee meetings, reviews and approves       applications. Supervises staff working Special Events during off-hours and/or weekends as needed.

●                 Establishes appropriate traffic control for street closures and schedules staff for setup and removal.

●                 Manages special temporary “No Parking” requests.

●                 Reviews accident damages to traffic signals, streetlights, and signs, prepares time and material costs, and prepares invoices for billing.

●                 Reviews the consultant design and specifications of traffic signal and street light projects.

●                 Oversees and manages the construction of traffic signals and street light projects.

●                 Assists in the review of work performed by consultants on various State and Federally funded public works projects.

●                 May coordinate activities with other agencies such as IDOT, RTA, CTA, PACE, Metra, the Chamber of Commerce, ComEd, and Downtown Evanston.

●                 Receives, investigates, and answers inquiries or concerns generated by the City’s 311 system regarding areas supervised.

●                 Prepares grant applications.

●                 Attends and participates in the City Council meetings, Council committee meetings, neighborhood meetings, citizen committee meetings, conferences, meetings of City management team, etc., as required.

●                 Participates in the City’s Snow Removal program as Snow Commander and/or Tow Commander.

●                 Oversees 24/7 emergency operations response of division staff and responds to off-hour or weekend emergencies as needed.

●                 Perform other duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

●                 Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a substantially similar area with five (5) or more years of experience as an engineer engaged in traffic engineering, efficient signal progression, traffic signal and street lights design and operations in a municipal or related environment; Or, Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in traffic engineering, efficient signal progression, traffic signal and street lights design, and operations in a municipal or related environment will be considered in lieu of a degree. Possession of a Professional Engineer license or certification as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer is preferred.

●                 Must possess two (2     ) or more years of experience in a supervisory capacity.

●                 Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. A Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License is preferred but not required.

●                 Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, other supervisors, contractors, government officials, community organizations, and community members.

●                 Must possess or be willing and able to obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 Certification within 18 months of employment.

●                 Ability to provide orientation to new employees and trainees on work policies, procedures, and safe work practices.

●                 Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

●                 Thorough knowledge of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Illinois Vehicle Code, and standards for traffic signals and street light equipment; and the ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

●                 Thorough knowledge of traffic engineering principles and practices, including field survey methods related to traffic research.  Skills to review and evaluate traffic engineering plans and incorporate complete streets concept including parking.

●                 Thorough knowledge of current methods and techniques applied to the design, construction, and maintenance aspects of traffic engineering.

●                 Thorough knowledge of OSHA and IDOL standards and precautions.

●                 Knowledge of modern supervisory principles, including program planning, scheduling, coordination, and public relations.

●                 Knowledge and skills in the use of personal computer and traffic signal timing software such as Synchro, Sim Traffic, HCM and techniques for analyzing and developing signal timing and coordination plans for improving traffic operations and mitigating impacts.

●                 Knowledge and skills to work with signal operations, including determination of optimum signal splits, offsets, cycle lengths, preemption, controller functions, and settings.

●                 Knowledge and skills to work with signal system design, including communications, timing plans, controller programming, detection, and system interconnection.

●                 Knowledge of national electrical codes and NEMA Standards related to traffic signal installation.

●                 Knowledge of street light design standards, operation, and maintenance; knowledge of standard practices, materials, and tools of the electrical trades.

●                 Ability to supervise and coordinate various traffic engineering aspects of complex construction projects or special events.

●                 Ability to carry out multiple assigned functions independently and effectively with changing priorities.

●                 Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

●                 Ability to apply mathematical principles to the functions of the job.

●                 Ability to read scientific and technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, blueprints and specifications, contracts, proposals, legal documents, management information reports, safety manuals and rules, union contract and work rules, personnel rules, City code, and related documents.  Ability to prepare business letters, memoranda, summaries, and reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style that are understandable to the audience to whom the written document is addressed.

●                 Ability to speak effectively and persuasively, using appropriate diction, articulation, vocabulary, and presence appropriate to the audience, including public meetings, formal (City Council), and informal (public presentations, ward meetings, advisory board meetings, etc.)

●                 Ability to respond to community members in a friendly, courteous, and pleasant manner and with a customer service orientation.

 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

●                 Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions such as extreme cold, high winds, rain, snow, sleet, high temperatures, and humidity.

●                 Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds without mechanical assistance.

●                 Ability to use cell      phone, personal computer, tablet, and digital camera.

●                 Ability to use related tools and equipment.

●                 Ability to stand for long periods of time, bend, and work outdoors with limited lighting.

●                 Ability to work safely around operating equipment, fumes, loud noises, dust and dirt, and chemicals normally encountered by the position.

●                 Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

●                 Ability to climb, balance, taste/smell, and see.

●                 Ability to handle a variety of physical hazards, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, vehicular traffic, and varying heights.

 

SUPERVISION:

Work is performed under the general direction of the Public Services      Bureau Chief.  Assignments are general in nature and can be in the form of verbal or written instructions as to the desired results, with the employee deciding the proper methods required to complete the work and responsible for completing the work in accordance with City work rules and safety regulations.  Work is checked at the completion of a project through observation, meetings, and feedback from the Bureau Chief and other department employees. Guidance is provided through rules and regulations, policies and procedures, Unified Work Rules, Union Contract, Personnel Rules, and OSHA. Work is evaluated at least annually for the safe and skilled operation of equipment, quality of tasks, adherence to work rules, and performance in accordance with classification standards. Additionally, work is evaluated for the quality of workmanship, timely completion of projects, and cost-effective resolution of construction or maintenance problems encountered.

 

 

PUBLIC CONTACT:

The employee has significant contact with other department employees, supervisors, contractors, elected officials, consultants, outside vendors, and citizens to resolve problems and improve maintenance and service delivery methods.

 

 

SELECTION METHOD          TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST            LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST

Structured Oral Interview

To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.

 

Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position.  Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

 

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.  The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities.  Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-448-8052 (TTY).

To apply for this job email your details to humanresources@cityofevanston.org