Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00474

Department: Transportation & Environmental Services

Division: TRAFFIC OPERATIONS

Job classification: CIVIL ENGINEER IV/ GS 27

Posting type: Open

Categories: Engineering, Accounting and Finance, Management, Maintenance, Purchasing, Records Management, Communications

TRAFFIC ENGINEER (CIVIL ENGINEER IV)

An Overview

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) is seeking an experienced traffic operations engineer to oversee the City’s Streetlighting and Wayfinding programs as well as help manage and maintain the City’s installed traffic control devices. The City has over 10,000 streetlights, 40,000 traffic signs, 300 traffic signals, and 200 lane miles of pavement markings. This position manages what has been installed, others determine what new devices get installed. Work involves creating and maintaining inventories of the installed traffic control devices, scheduling preventive maintenance to ensure all devices are in compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control (MUTCD), State, ADA, and good engineering practice. In addition, this position reviews traffic control devices for appropriateness and schedule improvements. This position has a key role in making sure the City’s transportation system is safe for all users.

What You Should Bring
A good working knowledge of the MUTCD and the principles of traffic engineering as well as good interpersonal and verbal communications skills. The ideal candidate can think on their feet and is comfortable with field engineering solutions to problems in real time. The candidate must be able to work collaboratively with field staff and contractors to effectively communicate their ideas and motivate work crews to get work done. Of equal importance is an advanced understanding and knowledge of the MUTCD and principles of traffic engineering.

The City is looking for a candidate who embraces the core values of the City: Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Continuous Improvement. The candidate should be open-minded and treat others with dignity, embrace diversity and welcome individual perspectives, backgrounds and opinions, listen well, and always exhibit civility. The ideal candidate is accountable for decisions and actions and follows through on commitments and works well with others.

The Opportunity

Leadership

• Provides direction to align technology with Division mission and strategy, priorities and Smart Mobility program needs.
• Seeks programmatic effectiveness by evaluating existing operations and making suggestions for efficiency improvements.
• Develops standards and specifications for materials, their application and contract work.

Management

• Manages multiple projects, some of which are grant funded.
• Manages contracts and procurement.
• Manages in inventory for installed traffic control devices.

Teamwork

• Coordinates with other T&ES divisions and City Departments to align the goals of the Smart Mobility Program with other City programs.
• Collaborates with and represents the City in inter-jurisdictional and state transportation initiatives.

Task

• Analyzes existing traffic control devises to ensure compliance with adopted standards and good human factors practice.
• Reviews streetlighting plans and makes recommendations.
• Works with private developers to implement traffic signal, street lighting, and other requirements on their projects. Develops standards and specifications.
• Reviews and comments on construction plans.
• Develops solicitations for materials and services in collaboration with the City’s procurement office.
• Investigates how to keep the City’s traffic control devices compatible with future autonomous and self-driving vehicles.
• Conducts technical product evaluations and outlines requirements and develops specifications.
• Goes into the field, oftentimes construction sites or in traffic, to evaluate the appropriateness of traffic control devices or work with contractors on projects

About the Department

T&ES is a community partner in shaping a livable, green, and prospering Alexandria. We plan, build, operate, and maintain transportation systems and infrastructure that improve mobility and provide people and businesses with core public services. The work we do keeps Alexandrians moving, growing sustainability, and thriving. If you are curious for a broader view of our City, click City of Alexandria to learn more.

Examples of duties

The Ideal Candidate

To qualify for this position, all candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in civil Engineering or other related field and eight (8) years of experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must possess, or obtain within six months of employment, a license to practice as a Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Qualifications

To be considered as an ideal candidate must possess or obtain within six months of employment a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) certification.