Traffic Signals & Street Lighting Engineering Supervisor

Traffic Signals & Street Lighting Engineering Supervisor

This Engineering Supervisor is an important part of the Transportation Operations Group and Signals, Street Lighting, & Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Division. This position provides leadership for the technical design and operations of traffic control devices while planning, organizing, and managing the Division's dynamic workload and supporting the Bureau's strategic goals.

About the division: The Signals, Street Lighting, & ITS Division has ~60 employees and provides essential services for the City's 1,100 traffic signals, beacons, and other traffic control devices. This Engineering Supervisor will supervise the section of 10 employees responsible for the design of Signals and Street Lighting on Capital Projects, private development permit review, and public response to identified issues. This position supervises the work of in-house staff and consultants involved in the design and development of traffic signals and street lighting. In addition, this position provides input for Bureau policies and establishes processes and standards with respect to traffic engineering plans. In addition, the section is integral to realizing small capital safety projects and the infill street lighting program.

What you'll get to do:

• Participate as a member of the PBOT team – a national leader in multimodal transportation operations and safety innovation.
• Provide leadership focused on creating a workplace culture that is supportive of the City of Portland's Core Values of anti-racism, communication, collaboration, equity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
• Plan, organize, manage, and optimize the work of staff engaged in the development, implementation, and administration of traffic signal design and operations.
• Apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex traffic engineering projects.
• Establish standards and best practices and use them in monitoring program performance against program goals and objectives to ensure consistent quality and progressive results.
• Develop annual work plans, determine, and prioritize work, assign appropriate resources, and manage the budget of this and other related programs as deemed necessary by the Division Manager.
• Sustain a culture of safety, organizational excellence, stewardship, and professionalism.
• Apply continuous improvement principles in standard daily work and long-range planning.
• Collaborate with the Vision Zero team to develop and implement systemic safety measures.

An Ideal Candidate will have at least 5 years of professional engineering experience specializing in traffic design and operations.

Who you are:

• Experienced Supervisor: An experienced leader with a commitment to City goals as well as your team/employees. Being an ethical, fair, and supportive leader is important to you, along with embracing the City of Portland's Core Values of anti-racism, communication, collaboration, equity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
• Excellent Communicator: You are a strong communicator to both technical and non-technical individuals, and proficient verbally and in writing.
• Innovative: You have an aptitude for continuous improvement and can excel in change management. You've demonstrated the ability to remain flexible, agile, and calm in a high-paced environment that relies on quick and stable decision-making.
• Problem Solver: You can identify problems early and value collaboration. You utilize active listening and effective communication, and facilitation skills in working with others to find resolutions.
• Authentic: Effective in a professional, diverse, multi-cultural environment. You treat customers, co-workers, and employees with respect and are accountable.
• Results Driven: This position is high-paced, dynamic, and requires a candidate who can take charge, bring focus, and finish tasks in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
• Dedicated: Have a passion for public service and hold a high level of pride in making sure that projects, tasks, and emergencies are effectively and efficiently completed.
• Organized: Able to work on a multitude of tasks and understand/respond to various situations in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Relationship Builder: An outgoing professional who values building trust, partnerships, and relationships to support an inclusive culture and accomplish objectives more effectively.

To Qualify Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their resume and responses to the supplemental questions how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following:

Experience applying the principles & knowledge of traffic engineering design and operations, including application of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, National Association of City Transportation Officials Guidance, and other relevant technical documentation.

Experience acting as an equitable leader within a diverse, team-oriented work environment by promoting a culture of safety, professionalism, and accountability, including coaching, mentoring, and developing performance with staff.

Experience with the development of traffic signal and street lighting design standards.

Experience with traffic operations and signal timing to support multimodal policy goals.

Experience with effective written and oral communications, understanding your audience, and documenting successful completion for a wide range of assignments.

Applicant must also possess:

A professional engineering license in Oregon, or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.

A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

The Recruitment Process:

STEP 1: Apply online between November 10, 2025, and November 24, 2025 Required Application Materials:

• Résumé
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• Veteran's Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.
• Update: As of March 3, 2025, if you have already submitted veteran documents and qualified for preference, you do not need to resubmit them for future recruitments.
• To update or remove veteran preference for this recruitment or from your profile, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips:

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer reflects all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents. Do not attach a cover letter; it will not be reviewed.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process by the closing date and time. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

STEP 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of November 24, 2025

An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their résumé and supplemental questions, is weighted 100%. Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification. You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.0 1 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of December 1st

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): TBD

Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD

Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment. *Timeline is approximate and subject to change.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values