Inspector, Street Name Signs Unit

New York City Department of Transportation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Department of Transportation seeks an Inspector for its Street Name Signs Unit. Under supervision, you will review, create, and modify SNS work orders in SIMS, verify field conditions, and ensure accuracy of sign legends, arrow orientation, dimensions, mounting configurations, and location data.

You will coordinate with borough offices and sign shop personnel, track work orders, support high-volume sign replacements, and assist with ARTS inquiries and contract compliance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in related fields
• 4 years of full-time technical traffic/programs experience or equivalent
• Ability to interpret field conditions and translate them into accurate work orders

Responsibilities

• Review, create, and modify Street Name Sign work orders in SIMS
• Perform field inspections to verify conditions, sign supports, and installation feasibility
• Review contractor completion packages for accuracy and payment readiness
• Coordinate with borough offices, contractors, and sign shop personnel
• Track and monitor work orders to prevent duplication or premature closure
• Assist with high-volume sign replacement initiatives and capital projects
• Respond to ARTS inquiries with professional correspondence

Skills

SIMS proficiency

MUTCD knowledge

Sign layouts review

Field condition interpretation

Contractor coordination

Data consistency

Attention to detail

MS Office usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, urban studies, planning or mathematics or physical sciences

High school diploma + 4 years of related experience

Education/experience equivalent to the above

Tools

SIMS (Sign Information Management System)

Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word)

Job description

Traffic Control & Engineering is responsible for operational and administrative tasks related to installation, maintenance and removal of signs, flexible bollards, moveable barriers, in-house traffic sign production and other traffic control devices. The office draws on the expertise and talents of engineers, sign designers, planners, inspectors, IT experts, analysts and others to help the agency achieve Vision Zero and other city goals.

Traffic Control & Engineering is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Inspector for its Street Name Signs Unit. The candidate will perform tasks of moderate difficulty in the specialized fields of traffic control and engineering. Under direct supervision, assists higher level staff member(s) in the preparation and conduct of transportation studies; assists in projects related to citywide traffic programs; performs related work. The candidate will review, create, and modify Street Name Sign (SNS) work orders in the Sign Information Management System (SIMS), ensuring accuracy of sign legends, arrow orientation, dimensions, mounting configurations, and location data, and will perform field inspections to verify existing conditions, sign supports, and installation feasibility prior to issuing or revising work orders. Responsibilities also include assisting with quality control reviews of contractor installations using field photographs and Cyclomedia imagery to confirm compliance with NYC DOT standards; identifying discrepancies in layout, panel sizing, font usage, arrow direction, and mounting types before fabrication and installation; and reviewing contractor completion packages for accuracy prior to payment approval. The Inspector will coordinate with borough engineering offices, contractors, and sign shop personnel to resolve field conflicts and clarify installation requirements; track and monitor work order status to prevent duplication, unnecessary fabrication, or premature job closure; and assist in managing high-volume sign replacement initiatives, including borough-wide replacements, commemorative installations, and capital project adjustments. The candidate will maintain documentation of field conditions and determinations to support contract compliance and audit review and support emergency and priority sign replacements as needed. The candidate will also investigate and respond to public inquiries received through the City's 311 and Agency Response Tracking System (ARTS) programs, including researching field conditions, documenting findings, and assisting with the preparation of professional correspondence for submission through each of the five Borough Commissioner offices in response to ARTS inquiries. The candidate will be asked to work collaboratively and inclusively, seeking to cultivate continued professional development and effectively communicate with all stakeholders. This is an opportunity to work with a team dedicated to improving safety, accessibility and mobility throughout New York City.

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents. DOT is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce in an open and inclusive environment. Transportation Planning and Management (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working and doing business in New York City. The Division's responsibilities include planning, street design, technical analysis, signs, transit development, freight mobility and markings, ensuring the safety of motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists.

ASSISTANT TRANSPORTATION SPECI - 22306

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies, planning or mathematics or one of the physical sciences; or
• 2. High school diploma or its educational equivalent and 4 years of full-time experience performing technical work on traffic programs and citywide transportation studies; or
• 3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in SIMS including work order creation, modification, and status tracking.
• Working knowledge of MUTCD standards as applied to street name signs.
• Experience reviewing sign layouts, including legend spacing, arrow placement, and dimensional accuracy.
• Ability to interpret field conditions and translate them into accurate work orders.
• Experience reviewing contractor completion photos for installation accuracy.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage high-volume workloads.
• Ability to identify inconsistencies in data, documentation, and installation reports to pause or process vendor payments.
• Experience coordinating with contractors and multiple borough offices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).

Strong written communication skills for composing professional letters, documenting findings and responding to inquiries.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.