Traffic Assessment Investigator - City of Ottawa, Ottawa

Responsibilities of a Traffic Assessment Investigator

As a Traffic Assessment Investigator with the City of Ottawa, you will play a crucial role in enhancing road safety and optimising traffic flow across the city. This involves conducting detailed investigations into traffic-related issues and collecting essential field data to inform decision-making.

• Carry out investigations of complaints and requests concerning traffic safety, congestion, parking, and vehicular conflict problems.
• Conduct traffic field investigations and collect, summarise, and verify pertinent traffic data.
• Perform appropriate traffic surveys, including speed and delay surveys, traffic volume counts, visibility sight distance surveys, and parking usage surveys.
• Prepare sketches, take photographs, and field measurements of problem locations.
• Interview complainants and other involved parties to gather additional information.
• Submit completed traffic assessment assignments to a Traffic Assessment Specialist for review and approval.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The City of Ottawa is seeking a candidate with a strong background in traffic engineering and investigations, coupled with practical experience in data collection and analysis. Your ability to work both independently and as part of a team will be key to success in this role.

• Completion of a 2-year technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology or another engineering-related course.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in traffic investigations, traffic operations, and transportation engineering or an equivalent transportation-related field.

Candidates should possess knowledge of:

• Data collection and research techniques.
• Computer operations and applications including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Fundamentals of traffic engineering.
• Ontario Highway Traffic Act and Traffic Manuals, as well as the city’s Traffic and Parking By-law.
• Departmental policies and procedures.
• The road network throughout the City of Ottawa.

Essential competencies, skills, and abilities include:

• Ability to research data and summarise findings in an organised, clear, and concise manner.
• Ability to conduct traffic investigations and prepare/craft draft emails and work assignments.
• Skill in writing legibly, preparing documentation, information, and scaled drawings accurately, and within short time frames.
• Ability to make decisions/recommendations based on standard policy with reference to a supervisor.
• Ability to interview complainants to extract necessary information.
• Ability to work and contribute effectively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in operating field equipment such as TDC-8, sight distance targets, cameras, radar speed gun, and stop watch.
• Competence in utilising a computer to process, retrieve, tabulate, and convey data.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Capacity to work individually and follow instructions with minimum supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Physical capability to travel to sites and work outdoors.
• Willingness to work overtime, including occasional weekends, as required.

About the City of Ottawa Public Works Department

The Public Works Department, specifically the Road Safety & Traffic Investigations unit, is dedicated to coordinating and directing traffic investigations across Ottawa. This unit is vital for collecting, analysing, and processing traffic field data to develop procedures that enhance safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Through continuous review of evolving traffic and collision patterns, they ensure timely revisions of speed limits and upgrades to traffic control devices.

The unit also manages the implementation, monitoring, assessment, refinement, and development of installation criteria for various traffic control devices and safety initiatives, such as the Community Safety Zone Program and Adult Crossing Guard Program, to maximise their effectiveness. Furthermore, it is responsible for the investigation of fatal collisions to determine the role of road infrastructure in the cause or severity of these incidents. The City of Ottawa is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals.

Compensation and Employment Details

This full-time temporary position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $64,175.02 to $75,085.92, based on 2024 rates of pay. The role is affiliated with CUPE 503 - In/Out/NS Sal & Wage.

• You may initially be paid 95% of your starting rate of pay, in accordance with the collective agreement.
• Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
• The City of Ottawa provides accommodation to applicants during all parts of the hiring process, upon request.