Traffic Signal Technician

JOB DESCRIPTION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Department: Public Works

Pay Grade: 108

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to perform technical work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of traffic signals, electronic systems, and related components of traffic control devices. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Inspects and maintains traffic signals, caution lights, school flashers, speed zone flashers, and vehicle approach cabinets/lights; installs traffic counting equipment, pedestrian signals, ground and aerial traffic signs and related equipment. 
• Tests equipment; tests traffic cabinets prior to installation to ensure safe operation; prepares foundations and installs electrical devices for traffic cabinets; tests traffic cabinet and electrical disconnect grounding system; tests conflict monitors and malfunctioning management units; and programs and tests traffic controllers; 
• Repairs or replaces equipment as needed, such as traffic controllers, detector amplifiers, load switches, relays, and related equipment; assembles, adjusts, replaces and cleans traffic signals, broken wires and missing visors; repairs signal on flash and communication problems; maintains a signal preventive maintenance program; replaces electronic parts; moves signals for road widening.; changes out traffic signal boxes; and maintains related documentation.
• Adheres to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs and cones around project/work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; and follows safety practices and wears protective gear; and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Receives and responds to questions, requests and/or complaints from City employees and residents regarding traffic signal operations.
• Maintains inventories of supplies, forms, and equipment; ensures availability of adequate supplies to complete work activities; packs and ships equipment for repair; prepares purchase requisitions for needed materials, equipment, and supplies; and receives/distributes incoming supply shipments.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, schedules, time sheets, traffic cabinets log, work logs, tests, repair requests and logs, controller re-write programs, training logs, or other documents; forwards as appropriate.
• Receives various forms, reports, work orders, vehicle forms, traffic cabinet drawings, intersection drawings, controller timing charts, electrical drawings, equipment and material specifications, school zone schedules, operations manuals, policies, procedures, or other documents; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; and attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Operates a personal computer, bucket truck, loop saw, pipe saw, hydraulic drill, battery drill, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides emergency response for malfunctioning traffic signals.
• Periodic on-call status for malfunctioning traffic signals or other damaged traffic control devices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Physical Ability:  Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that generally involves lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, or toxic agents.

Education and Experience:

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent; three (3) years of related experience in electrical work, traffic signal repair or related field.  

Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or appropriate operator credentials to operate a bucket truck.

Must possess (or obtain within required time frame) and maintain the following:  IMSA (International Municipal Signal Association) Level I and II Traffic Signal certifications.

Special Requirements: 

Willing to work on-call as scheduled.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of electrical and electronic systems.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Knowledge of electrical and traffic safety procedures.
• Skill in gathering information before taking action.
• Skill in using rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions

• Skill in performing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculating decimals, percentages, and fractions; and interpreting graphs.

• Ability to build rapport.
• Ability to listen.
• Ability to remain calm in a crisis.

• Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.  
• Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy work. The employee is constantly required to move objects applying up to 20 pounds of force; frequently required to apply 30 pounds of force to move objects; and occasionally required to exert up to 100 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally requires:  balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, hearing voices and distinguishing among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word and shouting to be heard above ambient noise, visual acuity in data/color/observations/operating equipment/inspect defects or measurements, and walking. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily outdoors where performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, heights, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, or rude/irate customers. Work is performed in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others.

The City of Myrtle Beach has the right to revise this job description at any time. This 

 description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Myrtle Beach commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The City’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, political affiliation, veteran’s status, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, to include transgender status, disability or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law.

Salary : $50,378