TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICER

About the role

The Traffic Safety Officer provides operational leadership for the City’s Traffic Safety Division and is responsible for advancing Safe Streets Long Beach and Vision Zero goals through the development, coordination, and implementation of programs intended to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and manages the day-to-day operations of the Traffic Safety Division, including staff supervision, work planning, performance management, and division priorities.
• Lets implementation of the City’s Safe Streets Long Beach and Vision Zero initiatives to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
• Oversees administration of the Automated Speed Enforcement Program, including vendor management, program compliance, public communication, citation processing coordination, and performance monitoring.
• Ensures Automated Speed Enforcement revenues are strategically reinvested into eligible traffic safety, neighborhood calming, and Vision Zero initiatives consistent with legal requirements and City policy.
• Directs the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, including intake, evaluation, prioritization, design coordination, installation, and follow-up monitoring of requested improvements.
• Manages quick-build traffic safety projects such as pedestrian enhancements, intersection improvements, speed management treatments, striping modifications, and other low-cost safety measures.
• Develops and implements division policies, procedures, and service standards for evaluating requests, selecting countermeasures, and delivering projects efficiently and consistently.
• Manages collection, analysis, and reporting of traffic safety data, including collision trends, high-injury network locations, speed data, and effectiveness of completed improvements.
• Prepares reports, presentations, correspondence, and recommendations for executive management, the City Manager’s Office, City Council, boards, commissions, and community stakeholders.
• Develops and administers division budget, monitors expenditures, forecasts resource needs, and ensures effective stewardship of public funds.
• Coordinates with internal bureaus and departments, including Engineering Bureau, Capital Budget Division, Transportation Services Bureau, Transportation Project Management Bureau, maintenance operations, Police, Fire, Technology & Innovation, and communications staff to implement safety initiatives.
• Manages consultant, contractor, and vendor agreements related to traffic safety studies, equipment, construction, outreach, software, and specialized services.
• Leads community engagement efforts by responding to resident concerns, facilitating neighborhood meetings, and promoting transparent and equitable project delivery.
• Supports staff training and professional development related to traffic safety programs, engineering practices, data tools, public engagement, and emerging best practices.
• Makes sure applicable laws, regulations, grants, and legislative changes affecting transportation safety programs are monitored and ensured ongoing compliance.
• Represents the Department at meetings, public events, interagency working groups, and regional transportation forums.
• Works collaboratively with the Community Information Division to update the website, communicate various programs and initiatives, celebrate success, and maintain access to relevant information pertaining to the city’s bike infrastructure, available programs, and future initiatives.
• Attends special events to provide services and/or advertise available programs and initiatives.
• Conducts surveys and gathers general data to determine effectiveness of programs and opportunities for improvement.
• Manages specialized vendors and contractors to effectively operate and expand programs, such as procurement of e-bikes, peak season repair/retrieval assistance, right-of-way compliance, software, technology, etc.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
• Candidates may substitute experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience overseeing projects or programs related to Traffic Safety or performing other traffic engineering / safety related tasks.
• One (1) year of the required experience must have been at a lead or supervisory level.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Possession of a current registration as a Professional Traffic Engineer in California.
• Professional degrees / certifications in Traffic Engineering, or a closely related field.