Traffic Engineer-Planning/Professional (Civil Engineer, PE-Transportation Division)

Position Description

**This position is open until filled, applications received by March 11, 2024, will receive first consideration.* *

The City of Tacoma, Planning and Permitting Section in the Transportation Division in the Public Works Department (PW) is recruiting for a licensed Civil Engineer, PE. We are seeking an outgoing, skilled, highly motivated person who is interested in diverse and challenging engineering projects to join our dynamic team. Under the direction of the City Traffic Engineer, the incumbent will perform professional and technical engineering and planning duties in support of permitting for private and public development. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of civil engineering principles, strong technical expertise, project management experience, and proven leadership abilities.

Division Overview:
The mission of the Transportation Division is to support the City of Tacoma’s goals through the fiscally and environmentally responsible planning, design, maintenance, and operation of transportation systems for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Tacoma. Our services enhance the community by improving the function of the multi-modal transportation network for all users.

• Safe: We prioritize the safety of all users, and strive to build a transportation system that provides safe and reliable access for all users and neighborhoods
• Equitable: We center anti-racism in our work and work to decrease disparities in our transportation system.
• Sustainable: We recognize that transportation is a leading contributor to local greenhouse gas emissions and work to improve the efficiency of our existing investments and to prioritize active transportation and transit in new investments.

The Transportation Division collaborates with a broad cross-section of disciplines within the City of Tacoma staff organization, City Council, Transportation Commission and other boards and commissions, and community stakeholders to establish and implement transportation plans and policies, including:

• Transportation Master Plan,
• Safe Routes to School Action Plan,
• Vision Zero Action Plan, and
• Transportation elements of long-range planning documents.

The Transportation Division provides a unique opportunity for engineers to work with a wide variety of City Departments, local, county, and statewide partners, and community stakeholders to create a transportation system that is safe and accessible for all ages and abilities. The types of projects can cover the full spectrum of commercial, industrial, and single family residential projects.

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny , has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do. 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.

Position Details:
This position's responsibilities will include performing professional and technical engineering and planning duties in support of the Transportation Division’s review of land use permits and site improvements for private and public development within the City's Right-of-Way and/or private property. Land Use permits and site improvements include but are not limited to reviewing traffic impact analyses, site access, sidewalk, curb and gutter, roadway construction, and traffic mitigation, with emphasis on compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices , Tacoma Transportation Master Plan, Municipal Code, Right-of-Way Design Manual, and other federal and state design manuals. In addition, the position will have responsibilities in permit review processes, plan and land use review, and customer service.

An engineering background related to civil and traffic engineering design and experience in pertinent federal, State, and local laws related to transportation issues is key to the success of this position.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*
4 years of professional level engineering experience

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

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

• Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer
• Valid Washington State Driver's License

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• This is a professional environment with most activities occurring in a remote office setting with periodic in-office and field visits to active construction sites.
• Field work consists of in-the-field collaboration with private contractors and City Inspectors.
• Position may require sitting, standing, or walking for long periods of time.

Knowledge & Skills

COMPETENCIES:

Technical
Demonstrated ability to read and understand engineering plans, site plans, traffic impact analyses, technical reports and manuals. Proficient in engineering practices and principles within the field of expertise. Ability to be innovative and make independent decisions.

Problem Solving
Use intelligence, common sense, hard work and tenacity to solve particularly difficult or complicated challenges. Employ expertise and credibility, evaluate and resolve complex or sensitive issues and problems.

Communications Effectiveness
Provide clear explanations of recommendations with supporting details and documentation. Effective communication both verbal and in writing including the compilation of reports, presentations and records; and interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop and maintain productive relationships and achieve results. Makes excellent customer service the standard, responding to changing customer needs, and helping customers implement complete solutions.

Professionalism
Conduct all assignments, including responds to requests, in a professional and timely manner. Review engineering documents efficiently, accurately, and thoroughly. Model effective group behavior such as listening, discussing, negotiating, encouraging and motivating. Maintain current knowledge of industry by reading and interpreting applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, practices, policies and procedures.

Program Management
Appropriately prioritize and concurrently provide guidance and consultation on multiple programs, integrating many factors into decisions, and ensuring that work progresses toward achieving goals and objectives.

Leadership
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, the general public, and other municipalities and federal agencies. Ability to lead small to medium working teams. Establish, coordinate and direct work teams to accomplish assigned tasks to a successful completion. Ability to work as a team member in a supporting or managing role. Ability to coordinate multi-disciplined project teams.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma'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.

Apply:
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

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

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or neogov.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.

Should you have any questions about this position please call Human Resources at (253) 591-5400 before 4pm on the closing date.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Public 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 www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

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.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Tacoma, Washington United States View Map