Highway Operations Technician Supervisor (IRU)

Arizona State Government; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 71,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Vacation & holidays

Paid parental leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Life & disability insurance

Job summary

Arizona Department of Transportation seeks a Highway Operations Technician Supervisor for the Incident Response Unit in Phoenix. The role supervises staff, coordinates TIM-based traffic incidents, and supports event-related closures with law enforcement partners.

After-hours work, holidays, and occasional travel are required. Responsibilities include directing scene operations, ensuring safe work zones, and maintaining documentation for recovery actions.

Qualifications

• Possess valid driver's license and comply with state driving requirements.
• Experience in incident response and traffic control operations.
• Knowledge of MUTCD standards and safety protocols.
• Completion of E-Verify as required for State employment.

Responsibilities

• Respond to incidents on state and federal highways in the Phoenix area.
• Supervise incident scenes and coordinate with ADOT, DPS, fire, EMS, law enforcement, towing, and contractors.
• Establish priorities, communicate hazards and closure needs, support unified command.
• Direct removal of debris, vehicles, and obstructions; document milestones and resources used.
• Lead teams, de-escalate situations, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Skills

ICS

NIMS

TIM principles

Traffic control

Interagency coordination

Supervisory leadership

Job description

DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

Be a part of an innovative and collaborative team driving a safer transportation system for Arizona.

Highway Operations Technician Supervisor

(INCIDENT RESPONSE UNIT)

INCIDENT RESPONSE UNIT
2302 W. Durango,
Phoenix, AZ85009

Anticipated Salary: $71,179.68

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 09/24/2026

Job Summary

Position Supervises employees, including scheduling, assignments, inspections, training, guidance, inventory, safe vehicle and equipment operations. Serves on the Incident Response Team and applies Traffic Incident Management (TIM) principles to incidents affecting traffic flow. Coordinates special-event traffic operations requested by DPS and other law-enforcement agencies, including closures ensuring compliance of MUTCD. After hours response will be required for incidents creating hazardous roadway conditions, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Rotational holiday and weekend assignments, along with occasional in-state travel, are also required.

Job Duties

Respond to incidents on federal and state highways throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Assess roadway conditions, establish safe work zones, apply Traffic Incident Management and quick-clearance principles, coordinate needed resources, and direct actions that protect responders and motorists, reduce secondary crashes, and restore traffic flow.

Supervise incident scenes and coordinate with ADOT, DPS, fire, EMS, local law enforcement, towing providers, contractors, and other emergency partners. Establish priorities, communicate hazards and closure needs, support unified command, and ensure actions comply with NIMS, IC, agency procedures, and delegated authority.

Direct the removal of debris, disabled vehicles, spilled cargo, and other roadway obstructions. Coordinate traffic control, lane closures, towing, maintenance, and specialized resources; verify the roadway is safe before reopening; and document clearance milestones, delays, resources used, and unresolved hazards.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of:

• Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Traffic Incident Management (TIM).
• Incident-scene safety, quick clearance, secondary-crash prevention, and interagency coordination.
• Temporary Traffic Control concepts and devices, scene perimeters, roadway types, lane designations, and traffic-flow patterns.
• Federal and state laws and agency policies and standards; highway operations, infrastructure, vehicles, equipment, and materials; maintenance management, asset protection, damage documentation, and recovery.
• Emergency and special-event planning, including Incident Action Plans; procurement, contracts, and work reporting.
• Supervisory and personnel practices; environmental and workplace safety requirements.

Skill in/with:

• Identifying hazardous-material indicators, securing scenes, making emergency notifications, and taking defensive actions within training and authority to protect life, property, and the environment.
• Analyzing highway operations and incident data; interpreting traffic plans, designs, specifications, and technical guidance.
• Communicating clearly with TIM partners, employees, agencies, and the public.
• Preparing clear specifications and technical documents.
• Leading employees, building relationships, and de-escalating difficult interactions.
• Responding safely to roadway hazards and emergencies.
• Organizing and prioritizing work, traffic-control, and incident-response activities.
• Administering, monitoring, and documenting contracts.

Ability to:

• Deal with stressful traumatic scenes and prioritizing objectives
• Conduct initial incident size-ups
• Establish command within IC and delegated authority.
• Implement, monitor, and adjust Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) devices
• Determine and direct resources needed to stabilize incidents and manage traffic safely.
• Identify, photograph, and document infrastructure damage and incident geometry
• Accurately complete work orders, damage reports, and insurance-recovery records.
• Operate radios and other communication devices.
• Properly don and use required PPE.
• Communicate clear instructions and scene updates to responders, and make timely command decisions

Selective Preference(s)

• ICS 100,200, 700, 300
• Arizona MUTCD Traffic Control Technician
• TIM Instructor
• Three (3) years or more as a Highway Operations Technician IV or equivalent experience related to emergency response/traffic control

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement

Mandatory participation in the Arizona Retirement System (ASRS) is required.

Contact Us

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact ADOT Human Resources Recruitment via email at [e-mail] or phone call at [phone] option 2.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone] option 3. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. ADOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.