Traffic Control Maintenance Worker

Madison, City of (WI); Madison (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Madison is seeking a Traffic Control Maintenance Worker to keep streets safe, organized, and moving smoothly. You will install and maintain street signs, apply pavement markings, set up work zones, and support traffic control for special events.

This semi‑skilled public works role values reliability, attention to detail, and public service commitment. Candidates with experience operating tools and traffic control devices are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience applying mechanical principles, troubleshooting techniques, and maintenance methods related to public works equipment and systems.
• Familiarity with safety procedures in handling hazardous materials and work zone safety.
• Ability to operate computers software applicable to the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair, and maintain traffic and parking signs and associated traffic control equipment.
• Install, repair, and maintain painted and semi-permanent pavement markings.
• Perform miscellaneous work activities such as barricade setup, guard rails, and directing hourly/seasonal staff.
• Provide general direction and training to hourly/seasonal employees as required.

Skills

Safety in tools/traffic devices

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Tools

Public works equipment

Job description

Are you someone who takes pride in hands‑on work that makes a visible difference in your community? The City of Madison is hiring a Traffic Control Maintenance Worker to help keep our streets safe, organized, and moving smoothly. In this role, you’ll be on the front lines of traffic safety; installing and maintaining street signs, applying pavement markings, setting up work zones, and supporting traffic control for special events. Whether you're painting lines that guide thousands of drivers or placing signs that keep pedestrians safe, your work will directly impact the daily lives of Madison residents. This is semi‑skilled public works construction and maintenance work where reliability, attention to detail, and a commitment to public service truly matter.

Skills needed for this position include:

• Ability to safely operate tools, equipment and traffic control devices.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and communicate clearly with others.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when installing signs and pavement markings.

Current recruitment will fill two (2) vacancies.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 3:30PM

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non‑traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Install, repair, and maintain traffic and parking signs and associated traffic control equipment

• Install signs for new streets, street reconstruction projects, and perform new sign installations.
• Perform routine sign repairs and maintenance.
• Install and remove temporary signing and marking for traffic detours and special events.
• Assist Sign Painters in manufacturing signs.
• Repair and recycle sign materials, support brackets, and associated equipment.

Install, repair, and maintain painted and semi‑permanent pavement markings

• Install, repair, and maintain painted street markings such as centerlines, lane lines, curb markings, crosswalks, stop lines, etc.
• Assist with the installation, repair, and maintenance of semi‑permanent pavement markings such as centerlines, lane lines, crosswalks, stop lines, etc.
• Assist with the repair and maintenance of centerline, curb marking, crosswalk and semi‑permanent marking machines and associated equipment.

Perform miscellaneous work activities

• Install and remove barricades and traffic control for parades, special events, and emergencies.
• Install and repair guard rails, roadside guideposts, roadway delineators, and bicycle related facilities.
• Complete daily work orders.
• Provide general direction and training to hourly/seasonal employees as required.

Perform related work as required.

Two (2) years of experience applying the following:

• Mechanical principles, troubleshooting techniques, and maintenance and repair methods and materials, related to public works equipment and systems (may include farm or outdoor construction).
• Computers software applicable to the duties of the position.
• Common hand tools and standard equipment used in public works maintenance.

Familiarity with:

• Digger's Hotline policies and procedures.
• Work zone safety and hazards related to working in the road right‑of‑way.
• Safety procedures in handling hazardous materials.

-OR-

• Two (2) successful seasons as a City of Madison Traffic Engineering seasonal laborer.

Depending on the number of applicants, random selection may be used to determine who proceeds to the interview process following a screening for minimum qualifications

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities for Traffic Control Maintenance Worker, please view the class specification.

Possession of a valid Class B Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License with air brake endorsement. The successful candidate must have passed the written portion of the relevant Department of Transportation testing process before starting employment. A condition of continued employment is passage of the skills portion of the test and obtaining the required operator’s license within 6 months from the date of hire.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to engage in strenuous physical activities and perform in a variety of adverse weather conditions and/or across uneven terrain on a daily basis.
• Ability to work at heights from a ladder or platform.
• Ability to lift/carry objects up to 50 lbs. routinely, and up to 75 lbs. on occasion.
• Ability to climb, bend, sit, squat, stoop, kneel, walk, or lift arms overhead to perform work for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work at various heights from aerial trucks and/or ladders.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and overtime as assigned.