Description
Appointment to this position is expected to be at or below the midpoint
$133,826.56 of the salary range, however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization.
The City of Long Beach is seeking an experienced, creative, innovative and collaborative individual who is committed to develop and support the Department of Public Works, Environmental Services Bureau as a Superintendent of Traffic Operations.
THE COMMUNITY
Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 470,000) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and five golf courses), serve to draw 6.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best–value public college in the nation. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Known for its livable and desirable neighborhoods, Long Beach was named by America’s Promise Alliance as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach offers the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Long Beach, a charter city formed in 1897, is governed by nine City Council Members elected by district and a city-wide elected Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The elected officials are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Clerk. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under the direction of a separately elected official, Board or Commission. Long Beach is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department and one of the very few municipalities with its own Water and Energy Resources Departments. In 2019, the City of Long Beach and Plenary Properties Long Beach unveiled the completion of the new four-building Long Beach Civic Center, which includes a new City Hall and Port Administration Building. The tree-lined pedestrian plaza is reflective of an innovative public-private partnership and the Civic Center is designed to revitalize the civic core of downtown to serve residents, attract visitors, and provide safe and efficient city operations. The City is supported by a FY2024 total budget of $3.3 billion with a General Fund budget of $719 million. Long Beach employs approximately 6,048 full-time equivalent staff.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The mission of Public Works is to provide outstanding City-wide services improving the quality of life for the community while being responsible stewards of the city’s physical assets. Public Works does this through a customer service lens with specialized skills, innovation, and responsiveness. Core services include, preserving and enhancing the city’s infrastructure, transportation systems, streets, sidewalks, and urban forest. The Department has six bureaus: Business Operations, Transportation Project Management, Engineering, Environmental Services, Public Services and Project Management. The bureaus jointly manage the collection of refuse and recycling, manage capital projects, manage the City’s stormwater systems, review and issue permits, provide emergency response, and safely and efficiently manage and maintain the city’s public right of way and public facilities. The Department has over 580 budgeted positions with an annual operating budget of $250 million and an annual capital improvement program budget of $150 million. Additional information on the Department can be found at www.longbeach.gov/pw .
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
THE POSITION
The Superintendent of Traffic Operations is an unclassified, at-will management position that reports to the General Superintendent of Parking & Mobility in the Environmental Services Bureau. The Environmental Services Bureau consists of a workforce of 236 full-time employees (FTEs) and a FY23 budget totaling $72.9M.
The position is responsible for management of the Traffic Operations Division, comprised of 44 full-time equivalent positions engaged in the installation, maintenance and repair of safe transportation systems including traffic signals, parking meters, pavement markings, signage, visibility enhancements, bicycle infrastructure, and special projects. In addition, the Division works closely with the Department’s Transportation Project Management Bureau, Public Service Bureau, Parking Enforcement, and Construction Inspection Sections to address enforcement-limiting items and assist in construction activities. The Superintendent will maintain budget controls and ensure optimum utilization of allocated resources while monitoring annual work programs, prioritizing urgent assignments, and maintaining relationships with local agencies.
Roles And Responsibilities Of The Superintendent Of Traffic Operations
- Ensure the provision of City-wide traffic operations to the City of Long Beach’s residents and stakeholders.
- Develop, coordinate, and implement strategies to foster a positive and productive division culture.
- Follow best management practices to establish and maintain effective team and crew building strategies.
- Administer division-related policies and procedures.
- Coordinate with the Department’s assigned safety, disaster preparedness, and return-to-work staff.
- Select, supervise, evaluate, and train Traffic Operations Division staff;
- Monitor the division’s vacancy rate and status of onboarding employees.
- Responsible for ensuring the active status of employees’ licenses and certificates for applicable positions.
- Report complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
- Represent the Traffic Operations Division in meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with staff across the Public Works Department’s bureaus for joint effort projects.
- Provide oversight and management of staff engaged in the maintenance and operations of streetlights, traffic signals, ITS systems, Signs and Pavement Markings.
- Maintain compliance and fulfill obligations regarding incident reports, reviewing memoranda of understanding, standard operation procedures, contracts and requests for proposals.
- Maintain an understanding of traffic operations-related assignments and coordinate activities with teams to minimize delays in project completion.
- Oversee administrative staff within the Traffic Operations Division.
- Follow policies and procedures related to safety, operations, and best management practices.
- Provide budgetary oversight of funds allocated to traffic operations activities and adjust activities to comply with allotted budget.
- The Superintendent and/or assigned staff must be available to respond to stakeholders 24 hours a day and be available to assist First Responders with traffic control upon request.
- The Superintendent is required to prepare staff to assist before, during and after a declared natural disaster or declared emergency.
- Daily duties of the Traffic Operations Superintendent include managing staff that are maintaining traffic signals, traffic signs, pavement markings, parking meters , and streetlights. The superintendent shall provide traffic control support for City Special Events and during emergency responses.
- Staff in the Traffic Operations Division will be required to assist other bureaus and divisions within Public Works as directed.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for this position will be a well-versed supervisor or manager with a demonstrated ability to provide leadership in an operational environment and possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills to serve as a valuable resource throughout the City. They will be able to manage a significant project workload and create technical specifications and procedures based on current industry standards. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, California Vehicle Code, State of California Standard Plans and Specifications, standard construction methods and standards, cranes and aerial lift safety, and California Commercial Driver regulations. Experience in organizations of similar complexity, structure, size and with similar challenges, experience interpreting municipal codes, and possession of International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) certifications are desirable.
The Superintendent of Traffic Operations will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Knowledge
- Traffic Operations: Principles, practices, and standards of traffic engineering and traffic control systems, including streetlights, traffic signals, ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems), signs, and pavement markings.
- Operational Management and Process Optimization: Understanding of efficient scheduling, resource allocation, and optimization of personnel and equipment to ensure service quality and cost-effectiveness.
- Safety and Compliance: Knowledge of workplace safety regulations, especially those related to public works and traffic operations, to ensure compliance and minimize risk.
- Budgeting and Financial Management: Knowledge of budgeting processes, cost reduction strategies, and revenue enhancement techniques relevant to traffic operation projects and public sector operations.
- Human Resources and Labor Management: Knowledge of human resources practices, including selection, supervision, evaluation, training, and development of staff.
- Customer Service and Public Relations: Knowledge of techniques for resolving operational issues, handling public complaints, and navigating disputes with internal and external stakeholders.
Abilities
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with employees, management, and external stakeholders.
- Relationship Building: Ability to establish and maintain positive, productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels including City and department management, public officials, employees, labor associations, transportation agencies, vendors and the public.
- Leadership Skills: Ability to lead, motivate, and guide a diverse team of staff members, ensuring they work together towards achieving the department’s goals.
- Resource Management: Ability to optimize the use of personnel, equipment, and materials to achieve cost-effective and efficient operations.
- Conflict Management: Ability to handle complaints, disputes, and disagreements with professionalism, maintaining positive relationships with both staff and the public.
- Crisis Management: Ability to handle unexpected events or operational crises efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to city services.
Requirements To File
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education
- A Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required; however, candidates may substitute experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
- Proof of education is required at time of submission.
EXPERIENCE:
- Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in a service delivery or field operation capacity.
- One (1) year of the required experience must have been in a supervisory or management level position directing large, complex service delivery or field operations.
- Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required prior to appointment.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with field staff and/or operations involving various disciplines/trades in traffic operations and transportation management, including coordination of emergency response to disaster, weather, or other events that may be needed for safety concerns to the public.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines and priorities.
- Experience within the City of Long Beach, non-profit, or equivalent local government.
- International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Certification for signals and signs preferred.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on February 6, 2025. To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and proof of education (if qualifying with a degree) in PDF format. Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered.
The City of Long Beach is an
Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.
The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the
California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .
The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Unclassified
Applicant Appeal Process by visiting Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov) .
The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-6314.
In support of the City’s Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.
For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.
