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.
• Safeguards 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.
• Analyzes 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.
• Administers division budget, monitors expenditures, forecasts resource needs, and ensures effective stewardship of public funds.
• Collaborates 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.
• Leads community engagement efforts by responding to resident concerns, facilitating neighborhood meetings, and promoting transparent and equitable project delivery.
• Maintains staff training and professional development related to traffic safety programs, engineering practices, data tools, public engagement, and emerging best practices.
• Maintains monitoring of applicable laws, regulations, grants, and legislative changes affecting transportation safety programs and ensures ongoing compliance.
• Represents the Department at meetings, public events, interagency working groups, and regional transportation forums.
• Collaborates 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.

• 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 (copy of degree or transcripts denoting degree conferment required).
  • Experience in organizations of similar size and complexity.
  • Experience within the City of Long Beach, non-profit, or equivalent local government.