Technician (Traffic Signal/Street Lighting)

City of Kennewick; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kennewick is seeking a Technician to join their team, focusing on the maintenance and repair of traffic signal and street lighting systems. The ideal candidate will have a background in electronics or electrical engineering and experience in the field. This role offers opportunities to work on various projects and requires strong technical skills and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of electronic and traffic signal experience is desirable.
• Must possess currently valid First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Ability to work independently and evaluate situations effectively.

Responsibilities

• Installs, maintains, and repairs traffic signal and street lighting equipment.
• Diagnoses, repairs and maintains electrical and electronic equipment.
• Coordinates projects with other city divisions and responds to emergency situations.

Skills

Diagnostics

Maintenance

Installation

Troubleshooting

Technical communication

Education

Two-year Associate degree in electronics or electrical engineering technology

Recognized four-year electrical apprenticeship program

Job description

The City of Kennewick is hiring for either an Electrician or a Technician; only one position is available.

See Electrician posting on our job board for more information about that position.

First Review after two weeks: 06/19/2025

CORE VALUE STATEMENT
The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT
We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City's Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Under general direction of the Senior Traffic Signal/Street Lighting Electrician or Traffic Engineer, diagnoses, repairs, replaces, maintains, and tests a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment related primarily to traffic signal systems, communications and telemetry systems, street lighting systems, as well as school and pedestrian beacon systems. Technicians will have a primary assignment in traffic signals and street lighting, but will be generally capable of performing electrical work within other City departments in buildings, plants, and other facilities on an emergency basis.

An employee in this class performs complex and specialized tasks in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC); National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA); International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) (for signals and traffic); and all state and local standards, regulations and specifications. Assignments and accompanying directions are received from the Senior Traffic Signal/Street Lighting Electrician or Traffic Engineer and are executed in a professional and workman like manner consistent with accepted codes, standards and practices.

The Traffic Signal/Street Lighting Technician assists the Senior Traffic Signal/Street Lighting Electrician and other workers in a variety of traffic control related projects. The Traffic Signal/Street Lighting Technician is distinguished from the Senior Traffic Signal/Street Lighting Electrician by the latter acting in a lead capacity, possessing greater knowledge and technical skill, independence of action, and having more administrative responsibilities in addition to a requirement for a Washington State Journeyman Electrician (O1) License.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Installs, maintains, and repairs all new and existing traffic signal and street lighting equipment including controllers and associated wiring, vehicle detection systems (loops, video, microwave, etc.), pedestrian push-buttons, pedestrian and vehicle signal heads, preemption equipment, traffic counters, and various communication systems. Installs and repairs above and underground conduits, wires, cables, junction boxes, signal and controller foundations. Installs and maintains electrical power. Programs electronic signal controllers, detection equipment, school speed beacon equipment, preemption, and communications equipment. Replaces and repairs nonfunctioning signal indications and street lights. Provides technical work direction, guidance to others assigned to traffic signal and street lighting projects. Assures standards of quality in workmanship and materials are met on all installations, repair and maintenance projects. Coordinates projects with other city divisions and departments, contractors, and other agencies. Responds to comments and complaints pertaining to malfunctioning traffic signals and street lights. Provides and follows proper safety procedures on job sites. Assists in the inspection of traffic signal, street lights and other electrical installations. Performs other electrical and electronics installation, repair and maintenance duties as required.

Using standard electrical and electronic test equipment such as voltmeters, ohmmeters, ammeters, oscilloscopes, computers; inspects, troubleshoots, diagnoses, calibrates, programs, repairs, maintains and installs municipal electrical and electronic equipment of a wide variety and varying complexity; maintains synchronization between signal controllers; assists in the installation, operation, programming and maintenance of traffic signal systems; maintains and repairs fixed?time, semi? and fully?actuated electronic controllers and electronic master controllers; requisitions repair parts; maintains records; assists in writing or reviewing equipment specifications. Technicians assist other Electricians or Technicians, and other coworkers; makes recommendations for updating existing equipment; safely operates bucket and boom trucks, concrete saws, small trenching equipment and other equipment and tools necessary to complete assigned tasks; observes legal and defensive driving practices, responds to trouble calls on a twenty-four hour basis; performs other electrical work as needed, and performs overtime as required. Coordinates work with others. Communicates with public and others regarding operation and maintenance of traffic signal, street lighting and other electrical and electronic systems.

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of a two-year Associate degree in electronics or electrical engineering technology, or a recognized four-year electrical apprenticeship program; two or more years of electronic and traffic signal experience is desirable.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, materials, equipment, tools and procedures involved in the maintenance, repair, installation, troubleshooting, calibration and diagnosis of electrical, electronic and communication systems and equipment. Ability to learn in a reasonably short period of time the operation, maintenance and repair of signal controllers, instrumentation and control systems, computers, detection systems, closed circuit television systems, audio systems, radio and microwave systems, computerized traffic control systems, etc. Ability to perform a wide variety of electrical and electronic troubleshooting, diagnosis and repair work from manufacturer theory of operation and schematics. Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, design drawings and schematics for electrical and electronic systems; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; skill in the use of all standard tools and test instruments used in electrical and electronic repair work. Ability to work independently with minimal direction; ability to meet schedules and time lines; knowledge of safety procedures and ability to perform work in a safe and efficient manner; and the ability to work courteously, effectively and tactfully with coworkers, supervisors, other agencies, contractors, and the public. Ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a currently valid:

• First Aid and CPR certificates or take and pass at the next training opportunity offered by the City.

Must have the following certifications within 6 months:

• Washington State Flagger Certificate

Must have the following certifications within 12 months:

• IMSA Level I Traffic Signal Technician Certificate
• Washington State Commercial Driver's License (CDL-B)

Must have the following certifications within 24 months:

• IMSA Level II Traffic Signal Technician Certificate

Desired:

• Two-year Associate degree in electronics or electrical engineering technology
• Washington State Journeyman Electrician (O1) License
• IMSA Level III Traffic Signal Technician Certificate

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/REQUIREMENTS
To perform the essential functions of the job, incumbents must be able to perform the following:

Physical Activity Requirements:

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking or moving over rough or uneven surfaces, pushing, pulling, lifting, fine motor dexterity, grasping, balancing in high or narrow places, feeling, smelling, speaking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, reading/understanding, repetitive motions.

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions:

Office, shop and field work. Work at heights up to sixty feet; work in confined spaces; work in extreme weather conditions; work in hazardous conditions including: exposure to traffic hazards, noise, fumes, toxic materials and chemicals; dust and pollen, electrical power supply and high voltage, moving equipment. Respond to emergency situations outside of standard working hours on a 24-hour basis.