Traffic Signal Engineer

Salary: $95,409.60 - $134,368.00 Annually

Location : Tacoma, WA

Job Type: Non-Classified

Job Number: T0080-25

Department: Public Works

Opening Date: 06/16/2025

Closing Date: 6/30/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

The City of Tacoma Public Works Department and its Transportation Division is looking for an engineer to review, analyze, and develop signal timing and phasing to support the City's 350+ traffic signals as well as other related determinations for similar traffic control features.

This Traffic Signal Engineer will independently, and/or with direction/guidance from a licensed engineer if/when applicable, perform engineering task assignments which support the operation and safety of the City's transportation system. Tacoma is a sustainable community with many diverse residents, businesses, and visitors who have various transportation priorities. The City is strategic in how it plans its transportation system with an emphasis on safely conveying people and goods that foster Tacoma's culture, character, and competitiveness. The City's transportation system offers multimodal travel options from micromobility to high-capacity transit that support safe access for all users and neighborhoods, encourages healthy living, and protects the environment.

The incumbent will need to exhibit strong, progressively responsible experience specific to traffic signals, signal timing principles, technology, and equipment. Additionally, experience with and/or propensity to learn about streetlighting, intelligent transportation systems, and/or other areas of civil engineering and project management, including traffic operations and safety, right-of-way design, and permitting regulations, would also be valued from someone in this position. Ultimately, the position will be collaborating and building strong relationships with internal city staff, agency partners, advocacy organizations, and the community to develop decisions that are effective and supportive of the City's goal for a safe and equitable transportation system.

The Principles that Guide Us:

Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*

2 years of engineering-related experience; or possession of Washington State EIT

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

As Assigned: Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Positions in this class typically require:

remaining in a stationary position for 90% of the time with occasional movement to access office files, machinery and similar productivity tools (standing, sitting, walking).

constant operation of a computer, as well as use of a calculator, printer and similar office tools (fingering, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions).

communication and the exchange of information with others (hearing, seeing, talking).

occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (sedentary work). Work may also occasionally require:

movement around the workplace to pick up objects (stooping, walking, reaching).

traversing, ascending or descending stairs, sloped terrain, or similar environments (climbing, balancing, walking).

exerting up to 20 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (light work). Desired Qualifications:

Two or more years of progressively responsible professional traffic engineering experience specifically relating to traffic signal systems (or similar), and preferably within a government setting. An EIT certification (or Professional Engineer license) is also preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

Experience with traffic signal operations and design; additional understanding/experience with streetlight systems/design and/or intelligent transportation system design is desirable.

Experience with transportation planning and engineering, and knowledge of civil engineering standards and practices.

Ability to research, prepare, and present technical recommendations to other departments, officials, and external groups.

Strong customer service skills and the ability to organize and express ideas through excellent oral and written communication to a wide variety of audiences.

Ability to work with diverse audiences and build relationships with internal and external partners.

Effective participant in multi-disciplinary teams.

Knowledge of innovative and current transportation engineering/planning best practices.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Conversant in AutoCAD, MS Office, traffic analysis software such as Synchro, and possess the ability to learn new applications.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Apply

All interested individuals should apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position

Applications will be reviewed as they are received for interview consideration.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and InclusionTacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Communication from the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. (For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.)

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at or by calling .

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application.I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

Yes

No

02

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or directly related field?

Yes

No

03

Do you have 2 years of engineering-related experience?

Yes

No

04

Do you have your Engineering in Training or Professional Engineer Certificate?

Yes

No

05

This position requires sound problem-solving and analysis skills to address traffic operations and safety concerns. In 300 words or less, describe a work-related task or project that you were responsible for that best demonstrates your ability to analyze and communicate information. If you have no relevant experience in this area, respond with N/A.

06

The work associated with this position, and municipal work in general, can be very demanding. In 300 words or less, provide an example of a time in the work environment when you had multiple demands (of any type) on your time. How did you ensure that you were able to meet the needs of your internal and external customers/stakeholders?

07

In 300 words or less, describe an engineering project you had in school or a past professional position that made you excited about the prospect of working in the traffic engineering field. Please elaborate on why you chose what you did and what was your specific role?

08

The City of Tacoma values diversity, equity, and inclusion especially when implementing progressive transportation policies. In 300 words or less, give an example of an issue or project you have worked on related to diversity, equity, and/or inclusion. Describe the strategies you used, or you think could have been used, to expand the group/community's understanding of the project or issue? If you have no relevant experience in this area, respond with "N/A" but then describe (in 300 words or less) what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you.

09

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

Job Interest Card notification

Professional organization

Union job posting

City of Tacoma employee

Online job board posting

Word of mouth

Tacoma community organization

General internet job search

Other

10

To complement the above response, please provide more specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. This information is used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings. Thank you for your feedback.

Required Question