Technologist I (Transportation Operations)

The Role

Provides technical support to Transportation Operations management in the effective and efficient use of staff, equipment, and materials. Maintains and monitors the roadway salt management program. Researches and recommends new technologies, techniques and equipment. Participates in the development of standards, operating instructions, and maintenance work schedules and programs. Coordinates contracts related to roads maintenance activities.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Participates in the development of maintenance work schedules and programs. Performs field and method studies and research to determine the most efficient and effective methods for performing maintenance activities. 
• Researches and recommends new technologies and techniques, equipment, and materials. Monitors and evaluates programs to identify opportunities to reduce costs and negative environmental impacts.
• Designs and maintains computerized database information of roadway and traffic assets in Infrastructure Management System as required for control of various physical roadway features, traffic control devices and maintenance activities, for reference by other Transportation Operations staff, evaluation of program or method effectiveness, and for use in the development of programs, methods, and standards.
• Ensures the hardware and software for the Region’s Advanced Road Weather Information System (ARWIS) and Advanced Vehicle Location System (AVL) is fully operational, in conjunction with Environmental Technologist (Transportation Operations). 
• Calibrates, troubleshoots and continuously tests truck mounted computerized salt and spreader controls to ensure units are working properly and efficiently and are reporting correct data for analysis. Coordinates repairs with Fleet Management and assists in repairs as required.
• Administers the salt management program, including monitoring compliance and maintenance activities.
• Trains staff in the operation of equipment related to truck mounted computerized salt and spreader controls.
• Participates in the development of draft standards and operating instructions. Maintains current planning values and standard costs for determining roads maintenance workloads and budget needs. Analyzes performance data reported in terms of work units, cost per unit, and productivity. Investigates appreciable deviations from normal values. Reports same to supervisory staff and recommends corrective action.
• Coordinates contracted maintenance works relating to road and traffic operations. Oversees, inspects, and approves maintenance work and payment.
• Maintains the public works portion of the Region’s voice radio system; maintains an up-to-date computerized radio inventory, arranges for repairs and programming as required to vehicle and personal radios, and arranges for the purchase of additional radios.
• Assists Information Technology Services (ITS) with the installation, upgrade and replacement of Transportation Operations' computers and peripheral equipment. Reviews hardware requirements, prioritizes needs, makes recommendations to management staff for hardware and software upgrades/ purchases, acts as departmental liaison with ITS, and provides minor technical assistance to staff.
• Designs/drafts special forms, charts, and maintenance route maps to provide information related to maintenance activities/operations, including maps for snow plow and sweeper routes, inventory descriptive maps for grass cutting and landscaping.
• Designs and develops computer presentations for staff training sessions and advisory meetings, including design, content, and layout elements, using desktop publishing software. Develops and coordinates employee awareness programs and special training seminars, such as plow operator training seminar, salt management training seminars, traffic control seminar, annual safety rodeo, and safety and awareness posters.
• Ensures the maintenance of workplace safety equipment, such as, fire exit warning devices, first aid kits, hazard awareness centres, and WHMIS labelling.
• Performs conventional surveying for minor construction and roads maintenance projects and develops design plans for consideration by Supervisor, Technical Operations or Supervisors, Area.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of civil engineering technology, construction procedures and costs, roads design, soils, concrete and asphalt technology, pavement management systems, maintenance management systems, job costing and construction estimating, surveying and drafting, project inspections, and math, acquired through a 3-year Community College Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology or related field plus 3 years of related experience.
• Must have or be eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) in Civil Engineering Technology or equivalent.
• Knowledge of and ability to follow corporate policies and procedures, Provincial standards, administrative policies and procedures, and regulations and legislation (e.g., Highway Traffic Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications and Drawing Manuals, Ministry of Transportation Design and Corridor Control Manuals, Ontario Traffic Manuals-Books 1-18). Knowledge of construction and maintenance equipment operation and methods.
• Analytical, research, organizational, and problem solving skills in order to work with a minimum of supervision; make independent decisions; analyze performance data; research new technologies, equipment, materials, procedures; and coordinate projects and prioritize work.
• Human relations and communication skills to resolve issues with and respond tactfully to inquiries from the public; provide technical guidance to contractors, consultants and staff; train and instruct staff in work methods, procedures, and equipment use; conduct presentations; advise management in the use of performance data; discuss specifications and explain work Regional and Area Municipal staff and contractors, using technical terminology; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to read and interpret legislation, technical journals, manuals, work orders, design drawings, by-laws, correspondence, reports, and supplier information. Ability to prepare memos, reports, documentation, correspondence, technical specifications and meeting minutes for committees, the public, other Municipalities, and internal staff, including both technical and non-technical recipients. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office (including Access), Acrobat Pro, Geographic Information Systems, and Automated Vehicle Location programs.
• Must have a valid class G driver’s licence (or G2 with 3 years of driving experience) and acceptable driving record to operate Regional vehicles.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.