Engineering Technologist (Traffic)

The Role

Plans, designs, and inspects the installation of traffic control infrastructure. Makes recommendations to address road safety and capacity issues. Provides technical guidance and expertise to contractors, consultants, project engineers, and other Regional staff. Produces detailed design criterion and identifies geometric requirements for capital projects on the road network. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides pre-consultation and technical advice to area municipal staff, property owners, and other stakeholders regarding Regional and Provincially-mandated traffic control policies and requirements (e.g., permit applications, public information centres, projects).
• Designs, coordinates, and inspects pavement marking, traffic control signing, and construction detours. Develops educational materials regarding traffic control devices and strategies to enhance motorist, pedestrian, and cyclist safety. Recommends road-related design, safety and operational improvements for approval.   
• Investigates public concerns/complaints through traffic engineering and operational studies. Researches best practices and makes recommendations to management. Coordinates implementation of approved recommendations, and monitors to determine effectiveness.
• Identifies problem locations through road safety network screening processes using collision and volume database/histories, and public and area municipal input, and conducts analysis. Prepares countermeasures to reduce the number and severity of collisions at the identified locations. Prepares annual reports on same.
• Represents the Division in meetings with utility groups, contractors, and Regional groups to coordinate and address traffic operational and road safety requirements for road construction projects.
• Collaborates with management and staff in Transportation Operations and Project Engineers on construction projects. Collaborates with Traffic Systems staff regarding traffic control signals and construction detours.
• Represents the Region on safety related committees and chairs working groups on region-wide issues (e.g., traffic and parking by-law consolidation, policy development of oversize load and special event permits), public meetings, and pre-consultation committees to review transportation issues.
• Reviews applications for special events, oversized loads, super loads, and long combination vehicles per policy for approval. Liaises with Police, area municipalities, and other Regional departments to address concerns.
• Discusses approvals, work schedules, agreements, installation standards, procedures, and negotiates on projects with staff from the Ministry, police, area municipalities, utilities, construction companies, consultants, engineers, superintendents, contractors, lawyers, and developers. Has contact with the public to provide information and follow up on traffic safety concerns/issues.
• Prepares reports for the Planning and Works Committee to resolve safety and operational issues (e.g., traffic control signal installations, roundabout installations, red light cameras, traffic calming, speed zoning, heavy trucks, parking/stopping), for management review/approval. Develop queries, dashboards, and reports. 
• Works with procurement to develop contracts for consultant services (e.g., traffic counts, education programs, intersection studies), including selection process. Prepares and signs payment certificates and cheque requisitions for final review by management and sends to Finance for processing. 
• Maintains electronic signage. Troubleshoots and arranges for servicing, as required.  
• Backs up some of the work of the Data Management Coordinator.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of transportation engineering technology, construction procedures and costs, road design, inspection, surveying, drafting, transportation planning, acquired through a 3-year community college Diploma in Transportation Engineering 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 Transportation Engineering or equivalent.
• Knowledge of and ability to follow policies, procedures, highway and urban road design principles, Provincial standards, regulations and legislation (e.g., Highway Traffic Act, Ontario Traffic Manuals, health and safety, Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications and Standard Drawing Manuals, Ministry of Transportation Design and Corridor Control Manuals).
• Analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills to make independent decisions, prioritize work, and coordinate projects/programs; and interpret statistical data to make recommendations.  
• Human relations and communication skills to resolve issues and respond tactfully to the public; provide technical guidance to contractors, consultants, and staff; coordinate transportation management activities; discuss specifications with contractors, utility and communication companies; present information; 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 write reports, technical specifications, and letters. 
• Ability to alter hours to accommodate evening work, and may be requested to work weekend hours.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, Acrobat Reader, and GIS. 
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.