Traffic Operations Supervisor

NATURE OF WORK

This is a highly responsible administrative, technical, and supervisory position in the Public Services Bureau responsible for managing the City's Traffic Operations Division. The position plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the maintenance, repair, installation, and operation of traffic signals, street lighting, traffic signs, pavement markings, and related traffic infrastructure. The position also oversees traffic control associated with construction, right-of-way permits, special events, block parties, street closures, and emergency operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans, directs, and manages Traffic Operations activities involving traffic signals, street lighting, traffic signs, pavement markings, electrical
• Supervises assigned personnel; establishes work priorities and schedules; assigns and reviews work; evaluates performance; identifies training and development needs; and ensures compliance with safety requirements, work rules, and City policies.
• Develops and manages preventative and cyclical maintenance programs for traffic signals, street lights, traffic signs, pavement markings, and related infrastructure.
• Oversees the City's traffic sign program, including inventory, fabrication, installation, inspection, maintenance, replacement, and compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
• Oversees traffic signal and street lighting maintenance, troubleshooting, emergency repairs, upgrades, controllers, detection, communications, electrical systems, and related infrastructure.
• Maintains asset inventories, condition information, maintenance records, and work histories using the City's GIS, work-order, asset-management, and other technology systems.
• Uses available data to establish maintenance priorities and identify infrastructure replacement needs.
• Develops annual operating and capital budget recommendations and monitors expenditures.
• Identifies staffing, equipment, material, contractual, technology, and infrastructure needs and maintains appropriate inventory levels.
• Coordinates Traffic Operations activities with other Public Works divisions, City departments, contractors, utilities, and outside agencies, including IDOT, RTA, CTA, Pace, Metra, and ComEd.
• Coordinates Traffic Operations support for special events, construction activities, street closures, block parties, temporary "No Parking" requests, emergency incidents, and other planned or unplanned activities.
• Attends Special Events Committee meetings as required and coordinates traffic control, signage, staffing, street closures, and other Traffic Operations support.
• Manages banner and block party programs, including scheduling, installation coordination, and associated administrative activities.
• Reviews accident and other damage to traffic signals, street lights, signs, and related infrastructure; coordinates repairs and documents labor and material costs for cost recovery.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to 311 service requests and other inquiries related to Traffic Operations and ensures requests are appropriately documented and resolved.
• Ensures Traffic Operations activities comply with the MUTCD, Illinois Vehicle Code, applicable electrical and traffic signal standards, OSHA and IDOL requirements, City policies, collective bargaining agreements, and other applicable requirements.
• Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency, preventative maintenance, technology, asset management, and the City's ability to perform work in-house where appropriate.
• Coordinates employee training and ensures staff maintain required licenses, certifications, and technical qualifications.
• Prepares reports, memoranda, budget requests, specifications, cost estimates, presentations, correspondence, and other documents related to Traffic Operations.
• Assists with grant applications and other funding opportunities related to Traffic Operations infrastructure, equipment, technology, and programs.
• Attends City Council, Council committee, neighborhood, advisory committee, and other meetings as required and represents Traffic Operations on technical and operational matters.
• Participates in the City's Snow and Ice Control Program as Snow Commander and/or Tow Commander and performs other emergency management responsibilities as assigned.
• Oversees 24/7 emergency response of Traffic Operations staff and responds to significant off-hour and weekend emergencies as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Illinois Vehicle Code, and applicable federal, state, and local standards governing traffic signals, signs, pavement markings, street lighting, and traffic control.
• Ability to understand and apply City policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, personnel rules, and safety requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of traffic operations principles and practices, including traffic signal systems, traffic control, roadway signing, pavement markings, street lighting, and transportation infrastructure maintenance.
• Knowledge of traffic signal timing and coordination, including signal splits, offsets, cycle lengths, preemption, detection, controller functions, communications, and system interconnection sufficient to evaluate system performance and coordinate operational improvements.
• Knowledge of traffic signals and street lighting systems, electrical infrastructure, applicable electrical codes, NEMA standards, and standard electrical trade practices and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of traffic sign fabrication, installation, inspection, maintenance, inventory management, and replacement practices.
• Knowledge of pavement marking materials, application practices, specifications, inspection, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of work-zone traffic control principles and the ability to review traffic control plans for construction, utility work, permits, special events, and emergency operations.
• Knowledge of asset management and preventative maintenance principles as applied to public infrastructure.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting, procurement, contract administration, project management, and capital planning.
• Knowledge of modern supervisory principles and practices, including work planning, scheduling, employee development, performance management, labor relations, workplace safety, and customer service.
• Knowledge of OSHA, IDOL, and other applicable workplace and electrical safety standards.
• Ability to supervise employees performing skilled-trade, maintenance, technical, and operational work and establish clear priorities, schedules, and performance expectations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, maintenance activities, contracts, special events, and emergency assignments while adjusting priorities based on operational needs.
• Ability to review and interpret plans, specifications, electrical diagrams, schematics, traffic control plans, construction documents, contracts, and technical reports.
• Ability to evaluate infrastructure condition and operational performance, identify deficiencies, establish priorities, and develop recommendations for maintenance, repair, replacement, and capital improvements.
• Ability to effectively manage contractors and consultants and review work for compliance with specifications and City requirements.
• Ability to utilize computers, tablets, GIS, work-order and asset-management systems, spreadsheets, databases, traffic signal software, and other technology necessary to perform the work.
• Knowledge of traffic signal timing and analysis software such as Synchro, SimTraffic, HCM, or comparable applications is desirable.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, contractors, consultants, governmental agencies, elected officials, community organizations, and members of the public.
• Ability to communicate technical and operational information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences and prepare reports, memoranda, specifications, presentations, and other written materials.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage complex projects, and respond to emergencies.