Deputy Director of Transportation Safety

The Position

Announcing an exciting opportunity to join the City of Santa Rosa as the next Deputy Director of Transportation Safety 

The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified promotional candidates to apply

The Benefits of City Employment
In addition to offering a rewarding work environment, opportunity for career growth, and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave accrual package, your choice of three health plans, and top of the line employer paid vision and dental coverage. Additionally, the City provides $500 annually for wellness and is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer. More information about available benefits can be found in our comprehensive online Benefits Guide and in unit 18 Memorandum of understanding. 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Flexible schedule (9/80) available with management approval
• 12 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 'floating holidays' per year depending on hire date and years of service
• $500 annually for health and wellness

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Deputy Director of Transportation Safety leads and manages the Transportation Safety Division, overseeing programs in transportation planning, traffic engineering, complete streets, and mobility services. This role directs capital improvement projects, budgets, and operations related to traffic signals and street lighting, while ensuring coordination across City departments and external partners.

Reporting to the Director of Transportation and Public Works, the Deputy Director provides strategic leadership, supervises multidisciplinary staff, and supports the delivery of complex transportation safety initiatives that advance City goals

THE DEPARTMENT:
The Transportation & Public Works Department builds and maintains the City's vast infrastructure including streets, traffic signals, storm drains, bridges, sidewalks, parks, streetlights, and the City fleet including buses, fire engines and police patrol vehicles. Transportation & Public Works Department is organized across five primary divisions, which include: Transit, Transportation Safety, Field Services, and Capital Projects Engineering in addition to the department's General Administration function.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process that may consist of an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. 

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Alberto Sanchez at asanchez@srcity.org

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Transportation Safety Division of the Transportation and Public Works Department, including traffic engineering studies, transportation planning, capital improvement programming, traffic signal management, electricians for street lights and other City facilities, and other divisions as deemed appropriate, and ensures all division operations comply with all regulatory requirements.  
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned division; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures. 
• Participates in the development and administration of the division’s operating and capital improvement project (CIP) budgets; helps to determine project priorities and aligns the CIP with the City’s five-year plan; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Transportation and Public Works Director; directs the implementation of improvements. 
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; develops and/or coordinates staff training/apprenticeship programs; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Director. 
• In collaboration with the Director of Transportation and Public Works, directs the implementation of the City’s Vision Zero policy goal and strategies to reduce fatal and serious injury traffic collisions to zero. 
• Directs and participates in the design and implementation of traffic control systems, including traffic signals, signage, pavement markings, and pedestrian facilities. 
• Directs the review on plans and studies related to development projects and other encroachment projects throughout the City; ensures transportation safety considerations are integrated into development projects and ensures compliance with engineering and City standards and guidelines. 
• Directs thorough studies and data analysis to identify traffic patterns, congestion points, safety issues, and public concerns; makes recommendations to the Director of Transportation and Public Works and City Council related to the implementation of traffic control measures and devices.  
• Oversees and directs, through subordinate supervisory staff, the operations and activities of the electrical section of the division, including the installation, maintenance, modification, and repair of City traffic signals, streetlights, communication between devices, and all electrical work performed throughout City buildings and facilities. 
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares contract specifications and scopes of work; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; establishes schedule and performance criteria; administers contracts, supervises the work of contractors, and ensures compliance with specifications and City service quality and regulatory requirements. 
• Attends meetings and represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, state, federal, and regional agencies, regulatory agencies, businesses, and in meetings with the public; explains and interprets divisional programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues. 
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Director; makes presentations to City Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; communicates with individuals, community groups, and other public and private representatives related to transportation operations, regulations, and compliance. 
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. 
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; develops and/or coordinates staff training/apprenticeship programs; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Director. 
• When the Director of Transportation and Public Works is not designated as the City’s official Traffic Engineer, could serve as the City’s official Traffic Engineer, if licensed; provides technical expertise and guidance to City staff, management, City Council, and the public on traffic engineering matters; personally reviews and addresses sensitive and/or political issues and/or requests; utilizes sound traffic engineering principles to recommend the most appropriate course of action and problem resolution.
• May perform duties identified in the City Code 11-08.010 City Traffic Engineer, if licensed.
• May stamp and sign Engineering and Traffic Surveys as a Professional Traffic Engineer for recommendation and approval to City Council, if licensed.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge of:
Comprehensive knowledge of organizational and administrative management practices, including program development, policy implementation, and performance evaluation. Strong understanding of leadership, staff supervision, team dynamics, budgeting, contract administration, and project management. Familiarity with traffic engineering, transportation planning principles, and safety frameworks such as the Safe System approach. Knowledge of risk management, regulatory compliance, and applicable federal, state, and local laws. Proficient in report writing, record keeping, stakeholder engagement, and modern business technologies.

Ability to:
Ability to lead and manage transportation safety programs and staff, including setting goals, developing policies, and ensuring effective service delivery. Skilled in supervising personnel, managing complex budgets, and overseeing multiple projects and contracts. Capable of analyzing and resolving complex technical and operational issues, conducting research, and implementing innovative solutions. Effective in stakeholder communication, conflict resolution, and public representation. Able to produce clear written materials, manage priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain strong working relationships while delivering high-quality public service.

Education and Experience:

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

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in transportation engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, urban/regional planning, public policy, business administration, public health, or a related field; and

• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in transportation or public works, urban/regional planning, and/or public health, including three (3) years in a management capacity.  

Licenses and Certifications:

• None

Apply online only, visit www.srcity.org/jobs 

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• City of Santa Rosa

• 707-543-3060