Traffic Services Technician, Senior

POSTING TYPE: Open-competitive
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
HOURS: Full-time
FULL SALARY RANGE: $56,217 - $87,839/year (106 grade Level)
LOCATION: Empire Maintenance Facility
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2025

What You'll Do
The Senior Traffic Services Technician performs complex and safety sensitive operation and maintenance activities on the County's sign and traffic signal system. Staff is responsible for addressing all areas of sign maintenance (design, fabrication, installation, inventory, GIS updates), manages work zone traffic controls, signal maintenance, traffic project inspections and installation of pavement markings. Tasks may include leading work crews, inspection of traffic area contract work, and coordination with MnDOT, cities, and contractors. Work is performed in close collaboration with Principal Engineering Specialists. Staff in this position may also provide assistance to the highway maintenance area as a snow-plow operator as needed.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

* Two-year certificate program in Electronic Technology, Civil Engineering, Electronics AND two years of experience in the areas of signal maintenance, traffic signal project inspection, pavement marking and/or signing.
OR
* Four years of experience in the areas of signal maintenance, traffic signal project inspection, pavement marking and/or signing.
OR
* An equivalent combination of education and experience to equal or exceed 4 (four) years. Experience must be specific to signal maintenance, traffic signal project inspection, pavement marking and/or signing.
AND
* Valid driver's license with the ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License within 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications
* MnDOT Level 1 Signal and Lighting certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
* Experience working with large vehicles/handling transportation equipment.
* Must obtain a Class B Minnesota driver's license and ability to operate GW 26,001 lbs. or greater with an airbrake endorsement within 12 months of hire.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

Duties relate to all areas of traffic services including pavement marking, signal maintenance, and signing. Duties may focus on one or more elements of the traffic service area; employee will have a working knowledge of all elements of the traffic services areas. The following are main work areas of this position:
1. Operates equipment for intersection pavement marking needs.
2. Fabricates highway signs and barricades in accordance with National and State Standards. Staff is fully competent with fabrication tools and software.
3. Regularly inspects and evaluates the condition of signs, signals, and traffic control devices to ensure ongoing compliance with the requirements of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and County specifications including, but not limited to minimum retro-reflectivity, placement, and visibility.
4. Performs maintenance of road signs, traffic signals, and work zone traffic controls around and overhead of moving traffic.
5. Keeps detailed and accurate records of installation and maintenance activity using Microsoft Access and Excel, as well as regularly updates inventory withdrawals/finance submittals and GIS database with signage and other relevant information.
6. Places and maintains temporary roadwork signing, detour signing, and barricades according to MUTCD, Temporary Traffic Control Zone Layout Field Manual, and County requirements.
7. Performs on-street layout of pavement markings, removes conflicting markings, and applies road markings.
8. Operates and maintains sign installation/maintenance equipment.
9. Computes daily/weekly/seasonally material (posts, signs, paint, beads, signal equipment, etc.) needs for crew operation.
10. Directs and determines needs of seasonal/maintenance staff assisting Traffic Services for sign installation, maintenance, pavement marking, and/or signal activity.
11. Provides assistance to the highway maintenance team as a supplemental snow-plow operator or conducts other snow/ice removal activities during or following snow events as requested.
12. Manages the daily underground excavation notice program (Gopher State One Call) as directed for county owned signal infrastructure. This responsibility includes identification of County facilities affected, directing field locate activities, and responding to Gopher State One Calls regarding County highway conflicts and all-clear status.
13. Prepares controller cabinets and programs controllers to operate specific intersection control parameters as required in the traffic signal plans.
14. Performs lead construction inspection functions of traffic signal projects including but not limited to: Approval of underground electrical component placements and procedures, testing and collecting samples of concrete for footings, approval of traffic controls, testing electrical circuits to prevent unsafe signal operations or failures, and installing control components in the controller cabinet.
15. Directs the review and diagnosis of operational problems or complaints as well as determines needs and repairs or directs the repairs as required. This task includes acting as a crew chief, coordinating the work of maintenance or engineering staff and the work of electrical contractors.
16. Flags and marks signs for utility locates. Communicates (by phone, fax, and/or meetings) with locators and utility companies for safe installation of signs and ensures sign placement is in accordance with Pipeline Safety Commission requirements.
17. Serves as a resource in training intermediate and entry-level staff as necessary.

* High level of knowledge for practices and techniques of the traffic unit pavement marking and signing maintenance needs.
* Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and equipment used in electrical construction, operation, and maintenance.
* Knowledge to make effective and responsive decisions for daily sign and pavement marking installations and maintenance.
* Demonstrate proficiency with computers including SignCAD (software specific to traffic signs), Microsoft Office suite, Performance Manager, and Windows OS Arc GIS.
* Proficient knowledge and experience with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices including: Temporary Traffic Control Layout Field Manual and Standard Signs Manual Pt.1-3, in order to problem solve sign and marking issues when observed in the field.
* Knowledge of mid-level mathematics.
* Ability to safely work under pressure in situations in moderate to heavy traffic.
* Ability to work in adverse weather conditions.
* Ability to effectively communicate and work as a team with supervisors, co-workers and citizens.
* Ability to effectively direct and motivate the work of support personnel (Traffic Technicians, maintenance assistance, and temporary seasonal work force).
* Knowledge and ability to operate all equipment as assigned.
* Demonstrate skill and concern for safe working conditions and procedures and the need to follow county and departmental policies and procedures.
* Ability to read and comprehend materials contained such as equipment manuals, procedure manuals, safety manuals, and seminar information.

Work Environment
20% inside, 80% outside. Must be able to perform the following on an occasional to frequent basis: sitting, standing, walking, balancing, bending/stooping, turning/twisting, low-level position, climbing, reaching forward & overhead, grasping, fingering and push/pulling. Positions requires lifting 0 to 22 pounds on a constantly, 31-45 pounds of force frequently, 45 - 75 pounds occasionally, anything above 75 pounds is rare and should be done as a team lift. Exposures may include, but are not limited to, changing weather conditions, roadway traffic and construction equipment on roads or constructions projects, working on uneven/rough/slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, paint, solvents, cleaners, exhaust, and noise.
Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of equipment including but not limited to: light and heavy equipment including long line striper, bucket truck, tandem snow plow, sign truck post puller and post pounder, small hand tools, power and larger hand tools, drill press, pipe threader, pry bar, soldering iron, wire cutter, highway striping unit, personal computer, printers, telephone, cellular phone, calculator, copy machine, video equipment, personal safety equipment, electronic drafting equipment, utility locating equipment, and survey instruments.

Incumbent must have the ability to work at heights up to 45 feet in an aerial bucket and over moving traffic and work in/around moving traffic when placing signs and working on signal boxes. Working nights and/or weekends may be necessary for on-call, construction, or emergency shifts.

Contact the Employee Relations Office (651-438-4435) if you are in need of a full report of physical and occupational demands of the Traffic Services Technician positions.