Transportation Engineer

Primary purpose:The Transportation Engineer will assist the Director of Transportation Operations (Director) in all aspects of their duties in the City of Newton Department of Public Works (DPW), Transportation Division. The Transportation Engineer will work on multiple projects simultaneously in an organized and customer-oriented manner and will refer to the Director for supervisory issues and approval of transportation engineering projects and plans. In addition, the Traffic Engineer will represent the Division at meetings with City officials and the public as required. Performs all other related work as required and directed.Supervision:Reporting to the Director of Transportation Operations, Transportation Engineer establishes their own work plan and completes work in accordance with established departmental and City policies, standards, and expectations. Assumes the responsibilities of the Director in their absence, including supervising personnel. Supervises employees performing traffic engineering tasks.Essential Functions:Receives and responds appropriately to calls, emails, and online “311” system comments from residents, consultants, vendors, police dispatch, and others regarding transportation and parking emergencies, questions, and requests.Coordinates completion of traffic work orders and coordinates as needed with the DPW Engineering, Streets, and Utilities Divisions, verifies accuracy and quality of work, and communicates work order status to interested parties.Utilizes the DPW work order database on a day-to-day basis to identify, process, and close work order requests.Effectively communicates with City staff, elected officials, partner agencies, and members of the public regarding transportation engineering decisions, policies, and industry best practices.Performs field work and traffic sign, signal or pavement marking inspections to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local standards.Applies engineering judgment to make decisions based on site-specific context and field observations.Analyze various modes of transportation for safety, operational efficiency, and effectiveness in serving the needs of its users.Assists in identifying and prioritizing infrastructure improvement opportunities within the transportation network.Performs traffic operations analysis using both computer models and qualitative assessments to assist the Transportation Division in responding to various verbal and written requests.Analyzes crash data and develops safety countermeasures from concept to construction.Conducts traffic engineering studies and citywide patrols for traffic signal, specialty light, or streetlight outages.Conducts seasonal city-wide condition surveys of pavement markings, traffic signs, and other infrastructure.Creates databases and/or work orders based on field observations and downloads data from field devices into desktop computers.Supervises employees performing traffic engineering tasks. Assumes the responsibilities of the Director in their absence, including supervising personnel.Creates and edits engineering and analysis documents using various tools and programs: various layers and applications within the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS); traffic signal plans; pavement marking plans; traffic management plans; roadway design plans; and as-built plans of transportation infrastructure.Reviews the on-site and off-site parking and transportation issues associated with new development projects.Reviews traffic calming proposals, roadway and traffic signal construction, and other related projects in the public way.Completes technical memoranda to summarize conclusions and recommendations for review by the Director, other DPW Division Heads, or the Commissioner of Public Works.Assists the Transportation Division in monitoring and reporting the status of snow and ice removal operations on sidewalks and other emergencies as declared by the City.Assumes responsibilities and duties of the Director and other Transportation Division staff in their absence.Participates as a voting member on the City’s Traffic Council.Attends and participates in Department and other meetings internally and externally as well as various special events. Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situations dictate. Qualifications:: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field required. Five (5) years of experience in traffic and transportation engineering required, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in a public works/municipal environment with regulatory experience preferred. Proficiency with AutoCAD, GIS and traffic analysis and simulation software required; experience with and working knowledge of traffic signal control equipment required. Engineer-in-Training (EIT) status is preferred; Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is desirable. A valid Massachusetts Class D Driver’s License is required. A strong commitment to public service is required. Working knowledge of traffic signal control equipment; working knowledge and understanding of local, state and federal government operations and its role with(in) the transportation/engineering field. Working knowledge of key transportation reference manuals, including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Street (The Green Book), National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) design manuals and guidance, and the Highway Capacity Manual. Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software, including AutoCAD, GIS and traffic analysis and simulation software.  Ability to read, interpret, and explain clearly and in basic terminology documents and plans such as construction contract documents, engineering design theory and analysis, union contracts, City ordinances, state and federal laws, regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals to internal and external stakeholders, including other City Departments, contractors, residents, etc. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; ability to clearly and efficiently write technical memoranda and correspondence; ability to present information that may be controversial in nature effectively to inside and outside groups, contacts, groups of customers, or employees of the organization. Ability to interpret site plans, contract specifications, construction drawings, details and layouts. Ability to train, supervise and evaluate employees effectively and assume responsibilities of the Director in their absence. Ability to perform field work as required (e.g. measurements, mark-outs, traffic counts, etc.) and possess a high level of comfort in the field in a variety of seasons and conditions.  Effective written, oral communication skills with ability to present ideas to a group. Excellent problem-solving and research skills. Good listening skills; strong organizational and record-keeping skills; personnel management skills. Skilled in constructing and maintaining excel spreadsheets and using other general and profession-related software and technology; experience working with various computer and database programs. Strong analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills required.Work EnvironmentWork is performed under typical office conditions as well as other settings, such as in the field on construction sites or other outside locations in a variety of seasons and weather conditions; requires maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, sitting, or driving a vehicle for prolonged periods of time. Operates computers, computer software such as Microsoft Suite systems, AutoCAD, GIS, traffic analysis and simulation software and other engineering programs, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, and standard office equipment. Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers. Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional office protocols.Physical skills and effortTasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks require field visits to evaluate traffic and multimodal transportation operations; conditions of public roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots; and traversing public roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots in a manner comparable to travel by a member of the general public. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Tasks may involve maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, sitting, or driving a vehicle for prolonged periods of time. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.Performance StandardEmployees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.Health insurance - 70% employer sponsoredDental insurance - basic option and high optionTuition Reimbursement - up to $500 per semester, per courseFlexible Spending Accounts - pre-tax monies taken from your paycheck to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses. The City also offers a commuter benefit.457 Deferred Compensation plansMetro Credit UnionVerizon Wireless discountEmployee Assistance ProgramGenerous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays for this group:12.5 paid holidays3 weeks of vacation time/year (new employees in this group accrue vacation time)Accrue 15 special leave days per year (sick time), 5 of which can be used for personal business2 floating holidays per year (prorated if new employee begins mid-year)City Retirement (Mandatory)Weekly Direct DepositOpportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees