It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

June 26, 2025

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

93,683.20 - 139,152.00

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range. This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non Union (30+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

This position serves as a Transportation Operations Engineer primarily responsible for traffic signs and markings, work zone traffic control, and special event review. Under general direction, directs, manages, and supervises the planning, design, implementation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of safe and efficient multimodal transportation systems, services, projects, and programs, with a particular emphasis on those related to traffic signs and markings. Coordinates, directs and collaborates with teams of consultants, contractors, engineers, transportation planners, and traffic technicians to achieve the goals and objectives of the city's Transportation Master Plan. Creates and fosters partnerships among other transportation-related agencies and community groups both within the city and at a regional level. Acts as a senior staff liaison to the city’s Transportation Advisory Board and City Council. Performs related duties as needed.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                  

• Directs, manages, and supervises critical day-to-day support for the Transportation Operations Division, which includes field observations, data gathering, data analyses, engineering recommendations, and implementation/execution of changes when appropriate:
  • Manages the reception, investigation, and timely response to transportation operations related concerns and inquiries from city staff, policy makers, and the public.
  • Oversees and manages the review and inspection of all temporary work zone traffic control and special events traffic control, in close collaboration with the Traffic Signs & Markings Maintenance Lead Technician.
  • Attends public meetings and neighborhood meetings to provide information and respond to related transportation questions.
  • Provides engineering and technical support to the conceptual and engineering design of Capital Improvement Program projects/programs and Transportation Planning projects/programs. Assists in the coordination of such improvements with known development or redevelopment plans. Attends project meetings with design teams to answer technical questions and provide technical justification for engineering decisions.
  • Provides technical assistance to the City’s development review process as it relates to planned projects and programs in the vicinity of new developments.
  • Contributes to Divisional and Departmental work planning and grant writing efforts, including the management of lists of potential future project locations and project prioritization criteria.
  • Contributes to the periodic update of the Transportation Master Plan, and development of transportation components of city plans (such as sub-area plans, transit area and network plans).
  • Initiates purchase orders and contracts for services and goods with consultants and vendors and manages and monitors transportation budgets and approves expenditures.

• Directs, manages, and supervises the personnel and overall operations of the city’s Signs/Markings Shop:
  • Proactively implements the city’s performance management process to achieve a supportive culture where teamwork, employee development, coaching, mentoring, and candid feedback are prioritized.
  • Provides guidance and direction on work plans, allocation of staff resources and identification of priorities.
  • Coordinates and communicates with other engineers in Transportation Operations regarding the time allocation and performance of supervised staff.
  • Ensures efficient processes and procedures are in place for work plan implementation.
  • Conducts regular meetings with staff to monitor, review, and assess goals. Involves staff in decision-making processes and seeks staff’s ideas and input. Synthesizes input and formulates or adjusts approaches accordingly.
  • Among other measures, evaluates employee performance based on effective program development, meeting deadlines, managing budgets, responsiveness to the public, and effectively working in a team environment.
  • Supervises the placement and maintenance of all transportation related signs, pavement markings, and other pertinent traffic control devices.
  • Reviews and approves signs and pavement marking plans for capital improvement projects or development related projects.
  • Oversees maintenance contracts with the Colorado Department of Transportation.
  • Develops and implements signing and pavement marking standards and best practices, including maintenance programs.
  • Ensures that all signs/markings work efforts are documented in the city’s asset management software program(s) and reviews and advises as to information that should be tracked on asset management records and dashboards.

• Directs and manages safety improvements to existing transportation systems:
  • Maintains Transportation & Mobility’s crash database and analytics software program(s).
  • Reviews crash data, identifies safety issues, and develops and implements safety improvements while coordinating with appropriate city staff.
  • Conducts before/after studies to determine effectiveness and value of implemented improvements.
  • Provides safety metrics and plays a key role in the city’s Vision Zero Program.

• Directs, manages, and supervises complex and challenging transportation project/program planning, design, implementation, operation, monitoring, and evaluation to achieve transportation goals and objectives outlined in the Transportation Master Plan:
  • Establishes the scope, schedule, and budget for a variety of multimodal transportation planning, design, and implementation efforts.
  • Manages the design and development of specific system components, services, programs which best manage transportation, based on the Transportation Master Plan policy framework.

• Serves as a senior staff liaison to the Transportation Advisory Board, City Council, community groups, governmental agencies, and other pertinent organizations:
  • Coordinates and prepares for Transportation Advisory Board and City Council meetings and study sessions, including recommending agenda items, writing, and assembling documents, reviewing materials, website updates, and formulating staff recommendations and key questions for feedback.
  • Creates and fosters partnerships among other transportation-related agencies and community groups. Plans and facilitates community discussions about complex transportation planning and project issues. Builds consensus regarding optimal solutions and implements coordinated and mutually beneficial transportation projects and programs.
  • Provides engineering and technical assistance to City departments, advisory groups, boards, committees, and the public.

• Continues professional growth regarding innovative approaches to transportation engineering and programming methods, design approaches, and maintains awareness of local and regional transportation issues and plans that may impact projects/programs or require input or design direction from City staff. Maintains awareness of and demonstrates sensitivity to community issues impacting the transportation planning process and deliverables.

• Represents the city in legal matters regarding transportation issues, including responding to claims against the city, compiling records, giving depositions, and provides courtroom testimony as the city’s expert witness in trials.

• Other:
  • Takes proper safety precautions to prevent workplace accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required personal protective equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
  • Knows and complies with all city and department policies; participates in professional trainings and development; and adheres to attendance and workplace attire policies.
  • Performs related duties as needed to meet the needs to the city.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received:  Civil Engineering Senior Manager (Principal Traffic Engineer)

Supervision Exercised:  Traffic Signs and Markings Maintenance Supervisor; may supervise Transportation Maintenance Technician(s) while contributing to large, complex, and challenging projects and programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS    

• Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in a combination of an office setting and an outdoor setting, and to operate field equipment. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/or operating a keyboard. Upper body strength to lift and carry equipment as needed. Ability to occasionally lift or exert up to 50 pounds. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, changing priorities and conditions, or issues and challenges that may arise on projects/programs.
• Work Environment: Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment. Requires regular work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions to review work in the field. Regularly works in or adjacent to moving roadway traffic, encountering noise, dust, and fumes.  Occasionally encounters adverse weather conditions, darkness, and mechanical/electrical/equipment hazards.
• Machines and Equipment Used: Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, calculators, and copy/print/scan machines. May periodically use, interact with, or inspect telecommunications systems, signal controllers, drafting tools, and traffic data collection equipment, including manual count boards and pneumatic tube counters. Also uses city vehicles.

Additional Job Description:

Last updated December 2023

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Thorough knowledge of and experience with current engineering principles, practices, procedures, and materials as they apply to municipal transportation planning, design, operations, and maintenance.
• Ability to manage concurrent and overlapping projects/programs, including meeting milestones and deadlines for multiple and varied project/program phases over time.
• Uses strategic critical thinking in the approach to problem solving, issue resolution and solution development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to prepare clear and concise written correspondence, reports, recommendations, and presentations.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and manage multiple complex projects/programs and priorities at the same time.
• Excellent math and analytical skills, including the ability to develop cost estimates, track and manage budgets and payments in a timely manner.
• Valid driver’s license. Have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer.
• Master’s Degree in Planning, Engineering, or related field.
• Six (6) or more years of experience with a municipality, government agency or consulting firm, with focused expertise in traffic engineering.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Experience working with local, state or federal government agencies.
• Related and demonstrated professional experience working with an active and highly engaged university community.
• Supervisory experience and experience in managing contractors/consultants.
• Demonstrated creativity within an environment that has fiscal and other constraints.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited engineering university or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four (4) years of experience in transportation engineering planning, design, and operations.
• Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors. If meeting qualifications with an out-of-state PE license, it would be a condition of employment to obtain your Colorado PE license within six months of hire.

About City of Boulder

The City of Boulder is a great place to live, work, grow and play. With over 300 miles of dedicated bikeways and more than 150 miles of hiking trails, Boulder values active lifestyles and access to nature. Forty-six thousand acres of protected land provide open space for passive recreation, natural environments, and a green belt around the city. With world class restaurants and art and music venues, The City of Boulder values diverse culture. Respect is one of our five City Values (including Customer Service, Collaboration, Integrity, and Innovation) and we are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and support our differences across all spectrums, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, disability, and sexuality. Through our focus on Racial Equity, our employee benefits, and the many programs resources we offer our staff, we continually strive to weave respect for one another into the fabric of our organization. Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help us grow in service excellence for an inspired future.

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