Traffic Operations Manager

Drive Innovation, Safety, and Efficiency on Our County Roads

We’re looking for a dynamic Traffic Operations Manager to lead our team in optimizing the flow of traffic and improving roadway safety. In this professional-level role, you’ll oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of critical traffic systems—including traffic signals, signage, striping, and control devices. You'll be the mastermind behind our annual traffic operations maintenance program, working with budgets, engineers, and technical experts to deliver impactful projects that enhance the community’s quality of life.

What You’ll Be Responsible For:

• Directing engineering studies, reviewing development impact reports, and ensuring the flawless execution of traffic operations projects.
• Supervising engineers and field teams to design and install effective traffic control systems that comply with local and national standards.
• Investigating public requests, collaborating with officials, and creating solutions that improve roadway safety.
• Overseeing traffic impact studies and interfacing with other public agencies to coordinate traffic signals, signage, and more.
• Providing technical input for road construction projects funded at the federal, state, and county levels.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Extensive knowledge of civil and traffic engineering principles, with experience in regulatory standards, policy application, and decision-making.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to coach, mentor, and inspire a team of engineers and technical staff.
• A solutions-driven mindset, balancing technical knowledge with practical decision-making to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Exceptional organizational skills and flexibility to prioritize competing tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills—building trust and collaboration with stakeholders, public officials, and residents.

Why Join Us?

We’re not just looking for a manager, we’re looking for a leader who will help shape the future of our road systems and champion innovation. Our team blends private-sector efficiency with government standards to deliver optimized processes, streamlined projects, and real community impact. If you’re ready to bring your expertise, vision, and passion for traffic management, this is your opportunity to create change and leave a lasting mark.

Let’s work together to make our county’s roads safer, smarter, and more efficient. Apply now and be the driving force behind our traffic success!

 

Provides oversight and supervision of all traffic engineering work performed in the Traffic Engineering Section of the Department of Public Works (DPW); assures the maximum safety of County-maintained roadways and traffic-control devices; and to perform related work.

• Manages contracted signal maintenance efforts, including private entities and partnering local agencies, and works closely with contractor(s) to make necessary operational or equipment changes. 
• Addresses current operational issues on County-maintained roadways.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the annual traffic operations maintenance program, including budgetary recommendations involving traffic signal maintenance and traffic control systems. 
• Oversees and coordinates the work of assigned staff; establishes staffing and scheduling requirements. Completes performance evaluations and motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance; participates in the hiring and disciplinary process. Reviews staff decisions in relation to department policies and objectives; recommends and implements training as appropriate. 
• Participates in discussions and review of development submittals, capital improvement projects (CIP), maintenance projects, right-of-way permitting and traffic control, and internal efforts conducted by the County’s Highway Division.
• Ensures projects and maintenance efforts are in conformance to County and manual of uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD) standards.
• Conducts and evaluates traffic impact studies to ensure conformance with County standards.
• Provides direct or supervisory oversight of traffic-related capital improvement projects initiated by the section.
• Represents the Engineering Division at community meetings, interdepartment meetings, Board of County Commissioner meetings, regional metropolitan planning organization (PPACG or PPRTA) meetings, and others as they arise.
• Coordinates with neighboring jurisdictions, City of Colorado Springs, CDOT, PPACG on issues related to the implementation, maintenance and coordination of traffic systems.
• Investigates and responds to traffic-related requests from public officials and citizens; determines and recommends appropriate resolutions to maintain positive community/customer relations.
• Attends meetings, seminars, and conferences on behalf of the department as necessary.
• Performs other duties as required. 

Supervision Exercised: This classification requires supervising and monitoring performance for a regular group of employees or unit(s) including providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed. A first-line or second-line supervisor typically performs these tasks.
 
Supervision Received: Receives administrative supervision. This classification typically performs job duties and resolves conflict according to their own judgment and initiatives, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Special projects are managed with little oversight, and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of traffic and transportation engineering theories, principles, and standards.
• Advanced knowledge pertaining to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), traffic laws, policies, and regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of the design, operation and maintenance of traffic control devices and systems.
• General knowledge of engineering regulations, policies, and procedures as they related to public agencies.
• Knowledge of project management, public communication, issue resolution techniques, procurement, and contracting practices.
• Possess excellent customer service, organizational, planning, and administrative skills.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner. Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change.
• Ability to apply principles of logic and scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, exercises sound, independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, apply, and explain technical procedures and applicable laws. 
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of professional, technical and maintenance personnel involved in traffic operations.
• codes, and regulations.
• Ability to supervise, objectively review, evaluate, document, and mentor professional and support staff.
• Ability to assess situations and make prudent decisions; ability to effectively apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, County staff, Elected Officials, consultants, contractors, regional working groups, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to remain informed of new standards, legislation, or practices that affect engineering or public works projects.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, calculators, telephone, and related software (Microsoft Office Suite) as well as engineering programs for data generation and analysis in project implementation.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Minimum of ten years of professional experience in a related engineering field.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory or leadership experience.

Licenses/Certificates:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a Professional Engineer’s License; ability to obtain a Colorado Professional Engineer’s License within six months of employment.
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) certification preferred.
• International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) certification preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Duties are performed both in an office environment, remote work environment dependent upon Department discretion and business needs, and outdoors. May be exposed to adverse weather conditions. Requires travel to County facilities, conferences, seminars, meetings, and outlying areas for the inspection of development, construction sites, or public work facilities. 

The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.

Salary : $126,430 - $189,540