3C49
CHIEF TRAFFIC ENGINEER

This is administrative engineering work directing the City's traffic engineering and maintenance program through subordinate engineering and technical supervisors.

An employee in this class provides technical consultation on the City's traffic infrastructure and resolutions to traffic engineering problems. Preparing legislation to improve City traffic conditions and presenting testimony before governmental bodies are of major significance to the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.

• The position must perform the work in the Department of Streets.
• This position must direct the City's traffic engineering and maintenance program through subordinate engineering and technical supervisors.
• Only one position can be allocated to this class.

Administers the City's traffic engineering and maintenance programs; coordinates the activities of functional traffic units responsible for facilitating the flow of traffic along the City's streets; confers with unit supervisors and section managers in the formulation and implementation of new and improved procedures and policies essential to the attainment of the division's goals.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the operations of the engineering, maintenance and administrative units of the division; approves policies and standards necessary to achieve or improve efficient coordination between the various components of the division.

Reviews, through the assistance of subordinate supervisors and engineers, all proposals for major, new and improved construction projects to determine their effects on visibility, safety and traffic conditions in the surrounding areas; evaluates plans to decide if adequate allowances are provided in the layout of the street to accommodate the anticipated volume of traffic; requests studies and surveys from subordinate engineering staff regarding vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns.

Directs the review of proposed projects and contract and consultant design documents prepared both in-house and by outside consulting firms; directs the design and installation of various traffic devices necessary for a system of safe traffic control; reviews and approves all proposed contracts for projects to be assigned for bidding by outside contractors.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the maintenance, operation, modification and adjustment of existing traffic control devices and systems; reviews the operational procedures and policies of the units on an ongoing basis to meet the new needs created by vehicular and pedestrian traffic demands; directs operations personnel in the construction of a city-wide traffic signal, and sign operation; directs, through subordinate supervisors, the painting, fabrication and installation of traffic signs, and the maintenance of traffic bulbs and lenses; develops a city-wide preventive maintenance program utilizing data systems technology and operational analysis techniques and methods; directs the development and implementation of employee development and skills programs to maintain ongoing performance efficiency and exposure of employees to traffic technological advances; directs the coordination of construction, installation and repair of traffic controls and signs with utilities and other municipal and state agencies, such as the department's highway division and PennDot.

Directs the preparation of both the capital and operating budgets for the division; determines priorities as to which programs or projects will be funded and the specific amounts of monies to be allocated to each funding category; monitors expenditures on a continual basis to insure against budgeted amounts being exceeded; confers with all unit heads on operational, budgetary, personnel, equipment and work program needs.

Directs, through a subordinate supervisor, the conduct of investigations, studies and analyses of traffic conditions to develop procedures to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic flow; institutes educational and public informational progress for the promotion of better traffic safety; maintains statistics and formulates reports on high accident or sensitive intersection areas in an attempt to find methods of eliminating the causes contributing to excessive accident levels.

Reviews and evaluates for implementation, new technological advances pertinent to the area of traffic engineering control.

Prepares legislation essential to the needs of the division and the general welfare of the public; testifies before governmental bodies to assist in the obtainment of their approval.

Functions as spokesperson on matters pertaining to traffic control at the direction of the department's Chief Engineer and Surveyor.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the theories, principles, practices and objectives of traffic engineering
• the techniques and procedures involved in investigating and analyzing traffic and parking conditions
• traffic safety and control measures
• the principles and practices involved in the management of the installation, maintenance and repair of traffic control signs
• the principles and practices of public administration, including such areas as budgeting, organizational development and staffing
• modern engineering methods and techniques required to directing a traffic engineering and maintenance program
• the current developments, including related legislation and sources of technical information pertaining to traffic control
• road and highway design, and its impact on traffic flows
• the design, operation and use of traffic control devices
• electrical engineering as applied to traffic control devices
• occupational safety standards for contract work
• supervisory methods and techniques
ABILITY TO:
• direct the activities of a municipal department traffic division which includes subordinate supervisors, engineers, technical and trades personnel
• apply engineering and administrative knowledge to the resolution of major engineering, technical and operational problems relating to traffic
• review, supervise and participate in the preparation of contract plans and specifications
• develop and enforce departmental policies affecting divisional operations
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with engineers, contractors, associates, subordinates and the general public

EDUCATION

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in engineering.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Seven years of engineering experience for a large operating department in a municipal environment.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience directing the engineering or operations functions of the City's traffic engineering program or two years of administrative engineering work directing the city-wide street lighting and energy management program.

OR


Any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree program in engineering as an educational minimum, and the specific experience listed above.

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Common¬wealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Chief Traffic Engineer.

Registration as a professional engineer as issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Chief Traffic Engineer.