Transportation Design Engineer

The Traffic Engineering, Operations, and Safety Section of the City of Tacoma’s Transportation Division of the Public Works Department, is recruiting for a Transportation Design Engineer position which requires the candidate to be a licensed professional engineer (preferably in civil engineering) in Washington (or able to obtain transfer from another state). We are seeking an experienced and skilled professional engineer to carry out a variety of technical and managing duties related to addressing traffic engineering needs within the City as well as supporting capital projects, and other projects with transportation elements, at each stage of development and implementation. The position duties require someone who is highly motivated; interested in diverse and challenging engineering projects; thrives on being part of a dynamic team, and able to excel at collaborating with a multitude of staff, contractors, and the public. Under the overall direction of the City Traffic Engineer, the incumbent will perform, and oversee when appropriate, professional and technical engineering duties in support of the Traffic Engineering Section’s day-to-day operations and systematic implementation of the City’s transportation objectives, such as the Transportation and Mobility Plan, in the form of capital project design, review, funding opportunities, and construction support. The ideal candidate will be to successfully execute their duties by drawing from their depth and breadth of understanding transportation engineering principles, capital project processes, overall task management, and leadership experience.   
 
Division Overview: 
 The mission of the Transportation Division is to support the City of Tacoma’s goals through the fiscally and environmentally responsible planning, design, maintenance, and operation of transportation systems for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Tacoma. Our services enhance the community by improving the function of the multi-modal transportation network for all users.

• Safe:  We prioritize the safety of all users, and strive to build a transportation system that provides safe and reliable access for all users and neighborhoods 
• Equitable:  We center anti-racism in our work and work to decrease disparities in our transportation system.
• Sustainable: We recognize that transportation is a leading contributor to local greenhouse gas emissions and work to improve the efficiency of our existing investments and to prioritize active transportation and transit in new investments.

The Transportation Division collaborates with a broad cross-section of disciplines within the City of Tacoma staff organization, City Council, Transportation Commission and other boards and commissions, and community stakeholders to establish and implement transportation plans and policies, including: 

• Transportation and Mobility Plan
• Safe Routes to School Action Plan
• Vision Zero Action Plan, and
• Transportation elements of the City’s Right-of-Way Design Manual, City Standard Plans, City-developed Special Provisions for Capital Projects, and long-range planning documents. 

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
4 years of professional-level engineering experience

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirement
Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer and maintenance thereafter**
AS ASSIGNED:
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
**6-month grace period allowable to transfer PE license from another state to WA

COMPETENCIES:

Technical 
Demonstrated ability to read and understand engineering plans, site plans, traffic impact analyses, technical reports and manuals. Proficient in engineering practices and principles within the field of expertise.   Ability to be innovative and make independent decisions.
 
Problem Solving
Use intelligence, common sense, hard work and tenacity to solve particularly difficult or complicated challenges. Employ expertise and credibility, evaluate and resolve complex or sensitive issues and problems.

Communications Effectiveness
Provide clear explanations of recommendations with supporting details and documentation. Effective communication both verbal and in writing including the compilation of reports, presentations, and records; and interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop and maintain productive relationships and achieve results.  Makes excellent customer service the standard, responding to changing customer needs, and helping customers implement complete solutions.
 
 
Professionalism
Conduct all assignments, including responds to requests, in a professional and timely manner. Review engineering documents efficiently, accurately, and thoroughly.  Model effective group behavior such as listening, discussing, negotiating, encouraging and motivating. Maintain current knowledge of industry by reading and interpreting applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, practices, policies and procedures.
 
Program Management
Appropriately prioritize and concurrently provide guidance and consultation on multiple programs, integrating many factors into decisions, and ensuring that work progresses toward achieving goals and objectives.
 
Leadership
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, the general public, and other municipalities and federal agencies. Ability to lead small to medium working teams.  Establish, coordinate and direct work teams to accomplish assigned tasks to a successful completion. Ability to work as a team member in a supporting or managing role. Ability to coordinate multi-disciplined project teams.
 

City of Tacoma's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress.  One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

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