Traffic controller Jobs in Modesto, CA

The Position

Ready to engineer a better tomorrow? The City of Modesto is looking for creative and driven engineers to join our Engineering Services team to help shape the future of how people and services move through our city. If you're passionate about innovation, community impact, and all things infrastructure, we want you on board!

Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives: $119,393 - $152,379 effective 7/1/2026 2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree 5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

The City of Modesto is seeking passionate and skilled engineers looking to make a meaningful impact on the community by shaping the future of transportation, traffic and utilities engineering in the City of Modesto. The Utilities Department, Public Works Department - Traffic Engineering Division, and Engineering Department - Transportation Engineering and Design Division (TED) are seeking innovative engineers to join our dynamic team and contribute to projects that focus on all modes of transportation and the improvement of essential utility infrastructure.

Current Vacancy in Transportation Engineering

Key Qualifications by Division/Department:

When assigned to Transportation Engineering (Engineering Services):

• Creative, persistent, and excited to work within a motivated and talented team focused on innovative solutions for challenging transportation issues.
• Knowledgeable in traffic engineering principles and practices with an up-to-date understanding of complete streets design guidelines such as The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).
• Passionate about promoting safe and sustainable transportation improvements for all roadway users.
• Experienced in roundabout engineering and design; the City of Modesto is a leader in the State of California for implementing roundabouts.
• Knowledgeable in class IV bicycle transportation engineering and design; TED is focused on providing safe bicycle infrastructure with each and every project.

Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" section of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME". All applicants who meet minimum qualifications of the position will be placed on an eligible list and invited to a selection interview with the hiring department. The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Prepare and review plans and specifications for the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of a variety of public works facilities and projects, including water and wastewater utility, street, storm drain, storm water management, and traffic systems as well as residential, commercial, and industrial development projects; ensure conformance with City standards and practices.

Research project design requirements and perform calculations; conduct plan checks to ensure compliance with City and various environmental regulatory standards; prepare time and material cost estimates.

Participate in and prepare engineering studies and reports; coordinate public works and development related activities with other City departments, divisions, and sections, outside agencies, citizens, consultants, and developers; provide staff support to City boards, commissions, and committees, as assigned.

Research and revise City standards as required.

Prepare Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals; assist in the selection of consultants; manage consultant contracts; review consultants' work and provide technical guidance.

Manage a variety of projects simultaneously, from conception through construction, which involves developing project schedules, monitoring project progress and budget, obtaining necessary permits, preparing and maintaining project files, monitoring quality of projects, and ensuring deadlines are met.

Research and issue Will Serve letters to allow or deny connection to the City's water and sewer systems.

Prepare profiles and cross sections; compute stresses and strains; makes foundation studies and lay out water mains, sewers, wastewater facilities and drainage systems.

Review the work of field survey parties in the preparation of plans, maps, charts, and diagrams.

Review routine field and laboratory tests of construction materials; write related memoranda and reports; prepare Council agenda reports.

Perform engineering design using various computer applications and draw plans on computer-aided design (CAD) systems.

Perform complex engineering calculations and field inspections.

Delegate routine research, design, and drafting tasks to technical staff; review completed work and assist in identifying solutions for routine problems; research publications and industry information sources as needed.

Receive, review, and process requests, designs, and the implementation and construction for traffic control device changes and for ADA/traffic calming; collect and analyze data to evaluate requests and prepare recommendations; perform intersection traffic control analyses to determine needs for traffic control measures.

Conduct site investigations; develop design plans, specifications, and cost estimates for traffic engineering projects, including pavement rehabilitation, road widening, ADA improvements, bicycle facilities, and traffic signals.

Prepare and administer federal and state grants.

Monitor traffic signal system; make appropriate timing modifications as directed; prepare new signal timing plans.

Create, check, and analyze Environmental Impact Reports and other California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents.

Respond to citizen complaints concerning engineering problems.

Prepare permit applications to various regulatory agencies related to public works projects.

Manage or assist in developing master plans for sewer collection, storm drain collection, the water treatment plant, and water distribution systems.

Perform health-related investigations or studies, and coordinate engineering and regulatory activities involving domestic water supply, sewage treatment systems, sewage collection, and disposal systems.

Attends and prepares and presents before City Council, the City Planning Commission, and other outside agencies.

May prepare and check legal descriptions for deeds, easements, and rights-of-way.

May coordinate engineering projects between contractors and the City.

May assist in gathering and analyzing data concerning rainfall, run-off, stream flow, water level, water quality, and ground water infiltration.

May plan, review, and participate in the professional and technical work of a functional group, with principal assignments involving pavement management and design, ADA design, bicycle facility design, traffic circulation design, traffic safety and traffic operation studies, geometric design of street and interchanges, and design transportation engineering projects.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions:

At the Associate Civil/Traffic Engineer level, sign and stamp plans and documents.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

In addition to the qualifications for the Assistant Engineer:

Knowledge of:

Budgeting techniques and capital improvement program management.

Principles of project management.

Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Principles and practices of engineering and design manuals.

Principles and practices of pavement design and management, ADA requirements, transportation design, and traffic engineering.

Best practices of multimodal transportation design in an urban environment.

Ability to:

Perform the full range of professional public works engineering duties with only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

Prepare accurate estimates of costs, schedules, personnel/materials, and other resources related to engineering project responsibilities; make recommendations related to existing or anticipated project budgets.

Work effectively with a variety of internal and external customers to accomplish goals and objectives; deal professionally with the public, developers, consultants, and contractors.

Prepare and present oral presentations to a variety of internal and external customers at public meetings and council.

Develop solutions to complex and difficult issues.

Supervise, train, and evaluate staff.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Four years of increasingly responsible experience equivalent to Assistant Engineer with the City of Modesto.

Training