Engineer I - III (Assistant Region Traffic Engineer)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Well-being program

Employee assistance program

Flexible benefits

Health savings account

Retirement plan (SDRS 6% match)

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Military leave

Parental & family leave

11 paid holidays

Longevity pay

Semimonthly pay periods

Meal per diems

Job summary

The Assistant Region Traffic Engineer at the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Aberdeen, SD will contribute to design layout and assembly of highway construction plans, including signing, markings, and traffic control plans. The role requires a Civil Engineering degree and FE Exam completion, with a valid driver's license.

Expect a full-time office-based role with some field work across the Aberdeen region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field.
• FE Exam passed required.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Involved in design layout and assembly of highway construction and maintenance plans.
• Produce signing, pavement marking, traffic control plans for highway projects.
• Review project plans for accuracy and completeness; oversee traffic studies.

Skills

Highway design concepts

Drafting & graphic design basics

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

MicroStation

InRoads

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job ID: 37309
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Operations
Location:Aberdeen, SD
Salary: $32.85-$45.45 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: E1-E3
Closing Date: 09/21/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/ .

The Assistant Region Traffic Engineer will be involved in design layout and assembly of highway construction and maintenance plans, which includes roadway surfacing, pipe culverts, minor grading, guardrail, riprap and other miscellaneous highway features along with permanent signing, pavement marking, traffic control, and traffic signal plan section for highway construction plans. Duties may include, but are not limited to participate in project scoping; produce permanent signing, pavement marking, etc.. plans for highway construction or maintenance projects; prepare work orders for maintenance crews to complete specific traffic related improvements; review assigned project plans for accuracy and completeness; provide oversight of the completion of various traffic studies and analyses; and provide technical assistance support to construction staff and assist with contractor questions.

A valid driver's license is required.

A typical 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday although hours may vary depending on workload. Work activity will predominately be an office environment with occasional field work. Field work may involve driving and working throughout the Aberdeen Region in all weather conditions and around traffic.

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans which include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible benefits - dental, vision, life insurance, critical illness and more
• Health savings account
• 6% fully matched retirement plan
• Vacation leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• Paid parental & family medical leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Assistant Region Traffic Engineer is approximately $91,332.00 annually.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Only applicants with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field AND passed the FE Exam will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• highway design methods, processes, and sequences (preferred but not required);
• standard terminology, techniques and practices of drafting and graphic designs;
• engineering and scientific principles, practices, and methods as applicable to highway design.

Skill to:

• access, operate, and maintain various software application (i.e. Microsoft based software, Microstation, Inroads, and ArcGIS);
• read and interpret highway construction plans, right-of-way plats, and regulatory documents;
• provide technical information and interpretation to permitting agencies, consultants, contractors, and other SDDOT staff.

Ability to:

• display high standards of ethical conduct and demonstrate behaviors in line with SDDOT's core values;
• work independently on several concurrent projects and participate in the entire design process;
• attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, management, contractors, consultants, and the general public;
• exercise sound judgment when making decisions and takes prompt, decisive action;
• listen attentively to others and effectively communicate information both verbally and in writing;
• work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'