- Transportation engineering principles, practices, and methods, and the familiarity with computer programs used to assist in analyses.
- Applying civil engineering principles related to transportation projects.
- Computerized civil engineering design and construction documentation programs such as AutoCAD Civil 3-D for complex transportation projects design Traffic control devices and practices relating system design, installation and equipment and operation.
- Principles of project and personnel management.
- Federal, state and local traffic engineering laws and ordinances.
- Contract preparation, contractor selection, administration of contract work, change orders, disputes, claims, and closing contracts.
- Principles of supervision and training.
- Computer systems and software applications.
- Use computerized civil engineering design and construction documentation programs such as AutoCAD Civil 3-D to prepare accurate plans, specifications and cost estimates.
- Read and interpret plans specifications; and engineering reports.
- Provide lead direction to staff.
- Write clear, concise, and accurate technical and non-technical reports, studies, correspondence, and memoranda; prepare agreements; keep accurate records.
- Speak clearly and effectively during oral presentations before public and community groups and address transportation related concerns.
- Define areas of responsibility for work to be performed by consultant or contractor; administer contracts for professional engineering services.
- Research, analyze, and solve complex problems; apply statistical methods.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill two Transportation Engineer vacancies within the Department of Transportation. Under general supervision in the Oakland Department of Transportation (DOT), the Transportation Engineer performs professional engineering transportation, traffic, and civil engineering work, which includes: preparing project documents for the planning, design, construction, integration, deployment, and operations of multi-modal transportation and related projects to enhance safety, accessibility, mobility, and sustainability; planning, designing, implementing, integrating, deploying, and maintaining traffic signals, signal and transit operations, signal systems, intelligent transportation systems, telecommunication, transportation management systems, and databases; preparing and reviewing transportation studies including Environmental Impact Reports; providing lead direction to technical and professional staff; and performs related duties as assigned.
The Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is committed to designing traffic and transportation solutions that work to meet the needs of all Oaklanders and reduce existing inequities. OakDOT staff apply strong engineering, planning, policy and implementation expertise to advance mobility, accessibility, equity, safety and sustainability on our transportation system.
The ideal candidate is a customer service-oriented professional with the ability to develop and deliver plans, projects, and programs within the Department of Transportation. The two current vacancies will be located within one of OakDOT’s following six sections. These positions will represent and further the City’s commitment to racial equity in all transportation engineering work.
Traffic Capital Projects – The Traffic Capital Projects team designs and prepares construction documents for projects that mitigate roadway hazards. Projects include roadway geometric, drainage, structural and ADA compliant elements, traffic signals, intelligent transportation elements, and major roadway improvements at freeway ingress/egress areas. Most work requires using AutoCAD Civil 3-D software. The team also leads the grants application process for project funds as well as off-site review for private projects.
Paving & Sidewalks – The Paving & Sidewalks team designs and prepares construction documents for pavement rehabilitation and striping and ADA improvements based on a new innovative equity-based model. Improvements include complete streets design components, such as bike lanes, pedestrian refugees, and various other features.
Traffic Engineering – The Traffic Engineering Section operates programs that improve roadway safety for schools and residential/commercial neighborhoods and supports inter-departmental and jurisdictional projects. Typical work involves helping residents slow down traffic in their neighborhood, working with principals to improve pedestrian safety around schools, setting speed limits for the police to enforce, restricting parking on narrow streets for the fire department to access, and reviewing neighboring jurisdictions’ projects that impact Oakland streets. The team also delivers small-scale capital improvement projects funded by in house budget and outside grants for which the team competes and applies. The section has three Transportation Engineer positions of which one is vacant. The selected candidate will be the lead engineer in either citizens’ requests or small capital projects, both of which are supported by two Assistant Engineers.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Program – The Bicycle & Pedestrian Program facilitates, coordinates, and oversees the implementation of the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans and supports OakDOT in creating, managing, and analyzing transportation data. The Program provides staff support to the City’s Bicyclist and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. The Program is seeking to fill one vacancy as the lead staff in a team of 2.5 full-time employees designing and delivering low-cost/high-impact projects that implement the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans.
Multimodal Corridor Operations – The Multimodal Corridor Operations Section is staffed by engineers and electricians who maintain, operate, and improve Oakland’s network of about 700 traffic signals. The section works closely with AC Transit on transit priority and the operation of the International Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit corridor. The section also works systematically to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety through traffic signal timing and traffic signal upgrades.
Right of Way (ROW) Management and Engineering Services – ROW Management and Engineering Services administer Oakland’s public space regulations. Engineering Services issues permits for privately funded projects or work in the City Right of Way, and processes Subdivision maps. Engineering Service team includes OakDOT Permit Counter, the Plan Review unit with engineers, and construction inspectors. Engineering Service issues sewer lateral permit, curb gutter sidewalk permit, excavation permit, utility excavation permit, encroachment permit, private development design review permit, certificate of compliance, parcel map, final map, ROW vacation and easement dedication. Engineering Service work closely with the Planning and Building Department, Public Works, Environmental Service, Electrical Service, City Attorney’s office and external agencies, including Caltrans, BART, Utility companies and Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Engineering Service has expert level command of the Municipal Code and speaks for the agency in meetings with key stakeholders, including Oakland residents, developers, and public utilities.
This is the journey-level classification in the professional transportation engineering series. incumbents are required to have registration as a Civil or Traffic Engineer in the State of California. Transportation Engineers perform complex professional civil and traffic engineering work and may lead and direct the work of lower level professional and technical staff. Appointment to this level requires considerable knowledge of all aspects of transportation engineering. Incumbents exercise a high degree of independent judgment designing and interpreting engineering plans and specifications, resolving technical problems, and interacting with the public. Incumbents receive general supervision from management staff including Supervising Transportation Engineer, Project Manager or Senior Transportation Planner and directs and supervises assigned technical and professional staff.
The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other vacancies that occur within the City including full-time and permanent part-time positions, if applicable.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supervise, prepare, and review transportation improvement plans, specifications, and cost estimates; conduct traffic investigations; design traffic signal configurations and operations; develop project, street, intersection, and parking geometric layouts; prepare and review traffic control plans; oversee consultants.
- Review transportation studies, perform investigations and submit recommendations regarding the installation of traffic control devices including neighborhood traffic control measures.
- Meet with and serve as liaison to City departments, other agencies, and business and citizen groups; provide technical information as needed; present information at public meetings.
- Participate in the planning and design of capital improvement projects as they relate to traffic and transportation; administer consultant and construction contracts; perform project inspection.
- Provide lead direction and technical training to assigned technical and professional staff.
- Drive a vehicle to work site; may be required to walk uneven surfaces in order to perform site inspections or conduct transportation studies.