Traffic Control Specialist Trainee

Salary: $53,008.00 - $80,646.00 Annually
Location : Clearfield County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-54311-10858
Department: Department of Transportation
Division: TR Dstr Off 0200
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 10858
Position Number: 00202710
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00080200
Bureau / Division: District Office 2-0
Worksite Address: 70 PennDOT Drive
City: Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 16830
Contact Name: Damon Wagner
Contact Email: dmawagner@pa.gov

THE POSITION
Create safer travel for communities while preparing you for future advancement! Join the Department of Transportation as a Traffic Control Specialist Trainee and begin a rewarding journey into the field of traffic safety and roadway management. This role provides valuable training that builds your confidence and technical knowledge. You will support important studies and projects that enhance safety and improve traffic flow.
DESCRIPTIONOF WORK
This position focuses on learning the technical skills needed to study traffic patterns and support roadway safety efforts. You will participate in a structured training program that builds your ability to analyze traffic issues and provide practical solutions. As a Traffic Control Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Training Development: Build technical skill through a structured twelve month program focused on traffic problem analysis
• Data Analysis: Analyze traffic data and prepare clear presentations for traffic studies
• Safety Evaluation: Review study results and form recommendations that support safer and more efficient travel
• Project Participation: Assist with tasks such as data collection, analysis and report writing for projects of growing complexity
• Quality Review: Check work carefully to ensure accuracy, sound reasoning and completeness

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 day per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Clearfield. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Traffic Control Technician (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Four years of experience performing transportation engineering technical assignments such as traffic data collection, traffic studies, pavement marking program oversight, highway sign or pavement marking surveys, traffic signal inspection, materials sampling, testing, or inspection, construction inspection, bridge inspection, survey work, utility relocation, roadway programs management, or roadway materials control; and graduation from high school; or
• Two years of experience in transportation engineering technical assignments and an Associate's Degree in the field of mathematics, statistics, or a civil engineering technology; or
• A Bachelor's Degree in mathematics, statistics, civil engineering technology, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test oncefor this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Traffic Control Technician for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03

Have you completed, or are within three months of completing, a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, civil engineering technology, or a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

04

If you are within three months of completing a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, civil engineering technology, or a closely related field, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
05

What level of college coursework do you possess in mathematics, statistics, civil engineering technology, or a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Master's degree or higher
• Bachelor's degree
• Associate's degree
• Some coursework but no degree
• None

06

How many years of full-time experience do you possess performing transportation engineering technical assignments such as traffic data collection, traffic studies, pavement marking program oversight, highway sign or pavement marking surveys, traffic signal inspection, materials sampling, testing, or inspection, construction inspection, bridge inspection, survey work, utility relocation, roadway programs management, or roadway materials control?

• 4 years or more
• 3 but less than 4 years
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

07

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
08

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

09

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - SAFETY
Completes work according to general safety guidelines by using appropriate safety and protective equipment. Reports all workplace injuries or incidents to the appropriate authority. Corrects any safety hazards in the work area and reports them to the supervisor. Attends required safety training and follows all requirements of safety manuals, policies, and laws.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience following general safety guidelines. I was responsible for reporting any incidents and safety hazards to the appropriate authority and correcting any deficiencies.
• B. I have experience following general safety guidelines. I was responsible for reporting any incidents and safety hazards to the appropriate authority; however, someone else took action to correct any deficiencies.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to safety.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

10

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to safety.
3. Your level of responsibility.

11

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. Training Source
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

12

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Writes or develops technical documents such as Engineering & Traffic Studies and special provisions for traffic signal projects or traffic control plans.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience writing technical documents. I was responsible for the final document that conveyed customized information to the intended recipients.
• B. I have experience writing technical documents. I was responsible for compiling a portion of the document; however, someone else was responsible for the final version that conveyed customized information to the intended recipients.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to business writing, technical writing, report writing, or English composition.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

13

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to written communication.
3. Your level of responsibility.

14

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

15

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - DATA COLLECTION
Collects information regarding traffic routes in order to identify safety concerns and determine corrective action. Data may include traffic volumes, vehicle classifications, turning movements, origin-and-destination fields, and information regarding traffic signals, or traffic signal systems.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience collecting traffic route and signal data in order to identify safety concerns. I was responsible for determining corrective action.
• B. I have experience collecting traffic route and signal data in order to identify safety concerns; however, someone else was responsible for determining corrective action.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to data collection or data analysis.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

16

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to data collection.
3. Your level of responsibility.

17

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

18

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Communicates verbally and in writing with municipal officials, consulting firms, and the public to answer concerns regarding things such as traffic signal issues, traffic projects, safety, etc. Utilizes customer service skills when dealing with adversarial situations and difficult personalities.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience interacting with individuals and utilizing customer service skills to understand concerns and explain relevant information. I was responsible for answering general questions and providing technical advice as necessary.
• B. I have experience interacting with individuals and utilizing customer service skills to understand concerns and explain relevant information. I was responsible for answering general questions, but I referred technical questions to someone else to provide information.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to counseling, social work, human behavior, public speaking, psychology, sociology, human services, public relations, or education.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

19

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to technical assistance.
3. Your level of responsibility.

20

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question