Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner

City of Sunnyvale, CA•Sunnyvale, CA

38d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking an effective and skilled communicator, and highly motivated problem solver for the position of Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner. This management position reports directly to the Transportation and Traffic Manager in the Public Works Department and will be responsible for: assisting with planning, organizing and coordinating the activities of the Division of Transportation and Traffic; and perform professional traffic engineering, transportation planning, designing, and project management. This position will supervise a small team within the Division to accomplish specific tasks and high-level, community-oriented projects. Current projects include: East Channel Trail study; Mary Avenue Overcrossing over highways 101 and 237; Bernardo Avenue railroad undercrossing; Sunnyvale Avenue and Mary Avenue railroad grade separations, liaison with the County for the Lawrence Grade Separation project; and coordinating with VTA as part of the delivering Measure B transportation projects. The position will manage multiple consultant contracts and will be expected to coordinate and work closely with other staff within the Division and with staff within other departments such as Public Works, Community Development, Environmental Services, and Public Safety, and represent the City with outside agencies such as the Valley Transportation Authority, Caltrain, High Speed Rail, Caltrans, MTC, County of Santa Clara, and adjacent cities. The position will focus on advancing the projects mentioned above, assist with oversight of the design and traffic signal operations, implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS); assist with the coordination of Division of Transportation and Traffic activities with other divisions and departments; oversee and assist with oversight of the grant application preparation, reporting, and management for transportation projects; assist with planning and coordinating division workload and budgets; creating and sustaining cooperative and collaborative working relationships across the City, with the development community, and residents; attend and present at public meetings/City Commissions; and provide assistance with highly complex traffic engineering work. We therefore, are looking for a candidate with strong analytical, technical and problem solving skills, who can prioritize and deliver results in a constantly changing environment, effectively communicate to various types of interested parties, and has the proven ability to establish effective working relationships with customers, co-workers, and vendors. Under general direction, assists with planning, organizing, and coordinating the activities of the Transportation and Traffic Division within the Public Works Department; executes departmental and City-wide goals and objectives; designs, develops, and implements traffic and transportation improvement projects; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; oversees assigned administrative processes, procedures, and programs; prepares policies, budgets, and reports and ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, planning, public administration, or related field; AND
Four (4) years of responsible transportation planning, transportation engineering, or planning management experience, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
Principles and practices of leadership.
Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
Principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
Principles and practices of public agency procurement and purchasing programs including competitive bidding procedures.
General principles and practices of time management, multitasking, and managing assigned projects and programs.
Principles, practices, and techniques of administering procurement contracts and enforcing contract provisions.
General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Principles and practices of traffic engineering and/or transportation planning as applied to a public agency.
Alternative transportation modes and the interrelationships of land use and travel demand.
Computer applications in transportation planning, traffic engineering, civil design, traffic control, and report preparation.
Transportation funding sources.
Principles and practices of project management, construction management, and contract administration.
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures.
Research, quantitative and qualitative analyses, and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
Recent and on-going developments related to the operations of the assigned area of responsibility.
Arithmetic and statistical techniques.
Principles and procedures of record keeping, technical report writing, and preparation of correspondence.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
Administer budgets; monitor revenue and expenses and ensures compliance with budgeted funding, as required.
Independently identify, plan, and conduct management, budgetary, administrative, and operational studies.
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective and understandable manner.
Develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
Make sound transportation and traffic recommendations.
Review land development proposals and develop mitigation measures.
Generate and implement creative solutions to transportation and traffic issues.
Manage and monitor complex projects, on time, within scope, and within budget.
Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, and blueprints.
Prepare, negotiate, and manage contracts; monitor the work of contractors and consultants.
Serve as an effective advocate and contact for regional transportation and transit programs and issues.
Formulate innovative long-term planning.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate assigned projects, programs, and activities.
Perform and review mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
Maintain accurate records and files of work performed; and adhere to pertinent records retention requirements.
Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
Effectively communicate and present technical information to the public, commissions, Council and other agencies.
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments both of self and of reporting staff.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.
Possession of a valid registration as a Professional Civil or Traffic Engineer issued by the State of California in good standing.
Possession of a valid AICP Certification issued by the American Planning Association OR Professional Transportation Planner certification issued by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, to be maintained throughout employment.

Responsibilities

Plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, supervises, and participates in the work of Transportation and Traffic staff in an assigned division; trains staff in work procedures and safe work practices; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
Directs and participates in annual budget preparation; identifies and recommends future resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; facilitates long term planning processes to ensure funding for large and critical operational, staffing, and equipment expenses; monitors and approves expenditures.
Monitors activities of the work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff and implements improvements.
Initiates solicitations as assigned, including requests for proposal and sole source requests to provide materials and services; facilitates pre-proposal meetings; coordinates and participates in the evaluation of submittals; drafts and reviews terms and conditions of agreements; negotiates and executes contracts; prepares and submits Council agenda items for contract approval; administers and manages contracts ensuring compliance with all requirements.
Develops, produces, and reviews complex traffic studies for a broad range of transportation policy, infrastructure, and operational issues and makes recommendations to executive management, the City Council, and various Commissions and committees.
Serves as advocate and contact for regional transportation coordination including transportation funding, congestion management, alternative modes, and interagency negotiation.
Manages and/or performs various analytical support duties such as conducting studies on various operational, budgetary, legal, legislative, regulatory, policy, and/or administrative issues, evaluating existing and proposed policies and procedures, and participating in the development and measurement of industry benchmarks; consults with and advises City staff and management; makes recommendations and reviews and evaluates implemented changes.
Reviews development and redevelopment proposals and interfaces with Planning, Engineering, Building, and other City staff as well as applicants and consultants to ensure land development complies with transportation plans and standards.
Manages and oversees preparation of scopes of work and requests for proposals for assigned Capital Improvement Projects and transportation/traffic engineering studies to meet directed project and program goals.
Manages consultant contracts of assigned Capital Improvement Projects and transportation/traffic engineering studies to ensure completion within scope, cost, schedule, budgeted resources, standards and practices, City policies and procedures; assists in resolving disputes with consultant teams.
Administers Capital Improvement Projects; supervises inspection of assigned projects; directs field changes within the limits of design and cost restrictions; resolves disputes concerning plans, specifications, and other work.
Manages construction contracts of assigned Capital Improvement Projects to ensure completion within scope, cost, schedule, budgeted resources, standards, and practices; assists in resolving disputes with contractors and negotiating claims.
Manages assigned projects, programs, and activities in collaboration with other City or department projects, programs, units, boards, committees, and task forces as well as external organizations and agencies and the public; represents the City and/or department on committees and task forces to develop, schedule, implement, and monitor programs and projects that impact the assigned department; responds to and resolves inquiries and complaints.
Oversees, develops, organizes, and directs the maintenance of assigned records management systems and databases specific to the Transportation and Traffic division; ensures data integrity; establishes and modifies procedures related to systems and database maintenance; assists with compliance with records retention schedules, policies, and procedures.
Oversees and coordinates grant funding applications and administration; tracks grant opportunities, reviews eligibility requirements, identifies potential projects for grant programs, and supports the grant application process; manages grant funds upon award and oversees the reporting and administration process.
Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of contemporary trends and innovations in the field of public administration.
Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies; and oversees staff that assist with these efforts.
Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs other duties as assigned.