Traffic Engineer PositionMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Traffic Engineer Position
DATE: November 27, 2012
Dubuque
kital
All- America City
II 111!
2012
Personnel Manager Randy Peck recommends City Council approval to eliminate the
vacant Traffic Engineering Assistant position and create a Traffic Engineer position in
the Engineering Department.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
duat4A., krt., italy,
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Randy Peck, Personnel Manager
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
PROM: Randy Peck, Personnel Manager
SUBJECT: Traffic Engineer Position V p
DATE: November 26, 2012
Dubuque
bed
All - America City
'Ile.'
2007
This is a request for the City Council to approve a motion to eliminate the vacant Traffic
Engineering Assistant position and create a Traffic Engineer position in the Engineering
Department
RP:Imh
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. VanMilligan
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
SUBJECT: Traffic Engineer Position
DATE: November 26, 2012
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
Al-America (My
1r
2012
The purpose of this memorandum is to request approval to upgrade the position of
Traffic Engineering Assistant to a Traffic Engineer. This individual would not only
continue the duties of the Traffic Engineering Assistant but assist the traffic engineering
division on CIP's that currently utilize consultants.
BACKGROUND
The Traffic Engineering Assistant position historically dealt with parking issues,
pavement markings, signage, detours, asset management, and visibility issues. I am
recommending upgrading this position to a Traffic Engineer which would include
additional job duties that are rechargeable to projects. This new position would continue
visiting developments, work sites, and various locations to investigate and analyze
street traffic conditions to determine temporary/permanent control measures; establish
street closures /detours for repair, maintenance and changes in traffic signage; operate
and analyze recorded data in order to assess the volume, type and movement of
vehicular and pedestrian traffic at specified times; research and recommend general
traffic policies and procedures; develop plans and short/long -range strategies for
adequate on /off street parking; manage the pavement marking system for the City's
infrastructure; investigate and make recommendations on citizen concerns regarding
traffic control and pedestrian devices and markings and related problems; respond to
citizen requests for information in a courteous, professional and prompt manner; and
adhere to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
DISCUSSION
In addition to the duties described above, the Traffic Engineer would inspect and analyze
traffic data /conditions to implement safe roadway design, construction and maintenance.
Work would involve close coordination with the City's Traffic Operations Center and those
internal /external parties responsible for pedestrian and vehicular safety; forecast short and
long -range travel patterns; work with public agencies /multi - disciplinary teams on intersection
design; provide support for transportation design and traffic control for engineering projects;
compile data and prepare collision diagrams for engineering analysis;
review /interpret traffic impact studies for proposed development; assist in budget preparation,
maintain effective working relationships with City employees, contractors, representatives of
federal, state and local agencies and the general public; possess knowledge of the
International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) policies /procedure; advise on occupational
hazards and necessary safety precautions applicable to the activities of the Engineering
Department; utilize computer software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and ArcGIS.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Engineering Department upgrade the Traffic Engineer Assistant to
a Traffic Engineer.
It is recommended that the position be classified as a GE -35 Traffic Engineer ($26.97 -
$35.24). Based on employment for 40 hours a week, the wage range would be:
Wage Range
FY13 - Annual Gross Wages 2080 hours x $26.97 = $56,097.60 (Step A)
2080 hours x $35.24 = $73,299.20 (Step F)
The position would be compensated based on education and experience of the
individual hired for the position.
BUDGET IMPACT
Under the current CIP budget for fiscal year 2014 the Engineering Department has
proposed the use of consultants to assist for project design. The current proposed CIP
budget for Traffic Consultant Services is $60,000. This position would also assist Traffic
Engineer Dave Ness with plan reviews to determine adherence to the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
This position would be upgraded from a GE 33 to a GE 35 due to the fact the candidate
must possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or University with major
course work in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering or Traffic Engineering.
Also the possession of a Certification as Engineer -in- Training (EIT) is a requirement.
This position is a non - overtime position. The cost difference of the position at Step F
would be 11 % or $7384 per year based on the fiscal 2013 wage plan.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request authorization to hire a Traffic Engineer to continue the duties of
the Traffic Engineering Assistant and assist the Traffic Engineering Division in the
development and implementation of the CIP Budget. I have reviewed this proposal with
personnel manager Randy Peck and he concurs with the recommendation.
cc: Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Randy Peck, Personnel Manager
David Ness, Traffic Engineer
Troy Kress, GIS /Engineering Technician