Traffic Sign Technician (CDL required)

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County in Tacoma, WA, is seeking a Traffic Sign Technician (CDL) to learn sign fabrication, installation, and testing with advanced equipment.

You will work on the county striping program, operate the striping truck, maintain signs, and perform field layouts and traffic control devices.

A valid WA CDL with endorsements is required, along with a background check and work authorization; resume and cover letter are requested.

Qualifications

• One or more years of related work experience.
• A resume and cover letter are required.
• Must have a valid Washington State Commercial Driver’s License, with endorsements to operate the striping truck.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• A background check is required as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, maintain, install and repair signs, sign components, and sign posts.
• Operate equipment including computers, hand and power tools, motor vehicles, paint application equipment, and sign fabrication equipment; inspect installations per County standards.
• Prepare field layout and install markings with paint or thermo-plastic materials; paint curbing with the striping truck; replace/install traffic markers and devices.
• Operate and maintain the striping truck; perform maintenance on pumps, paint carriages, paint guns, and weatherization.
• Assist with district-wide projects or independently install original signs; perform locating services for existing devices; install shoulder delineators; take traffic counts.
• Install and maintain both planned and emergency road closure signs.
• Document and report work with asset management and timekeeping programs.

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

In this role as a Traffic Sign Technician (CDL) with Pierce County, you will be learning about traffic signs, markings, fabrication, and installation. You’ll work with advanced measuring equipment and electronics, a retro-reflectometer to test sign and marking visibility, as well as GIS and GPS equipment to plot sign and marking locations. You will play a primary role in Pierce County’s striping program – performing truck rebuild duties, gaining practical experience in and around the striping truck, operating as a driver and a striping gunner, assisting with striping layout, and helping ensure the safety of the crew and the traveling public. This is a great opportunity to advance your career and grow with Pierce County.

Why It's a Great Department:

PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!
Learn more about Planning and Public Workshere.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Your success and growth will come from working well as part of a team, from being highly motivated, active learning, being focused on the details, and enjoying what you do. You’ll want to have some knowledge of traffic signs and be able to perform physical labor in all weather conditions to ensure your success. Flexibility is also an asset as schedule adjustments may be required with short notice.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Fabricate, maintain, install and repair signs, sign components, and sign posts.
• Operate equipment including personal computers, hand and power tools, motor vehicles and equipment, paint application equipment, and sign fabrication equipment. Operate various road and maintenance equipment; inspect/test/measure sign installations for adequacy per County standards; wash signs; perform routine maintenance work on signs and equipment.
• Prepare field layout and install stop bars, pedestrian crossings and turn arrows with paint or thermo-plastic materials; paint curbing with curb striping truck; replace and make new installations of traffic raised pavement markers, rumble bars, and other traffic control devices.
• Operation and maintenance of striping truck. Maintenance includes, but is not limited to, pumps, paint carriages, paint guns, paint tanks, and weatherization. May be assigned to support roadcrews during inclement weather, including operation of equipment requiring a CDL.
• Assist district-wide crew or acts independently in the installation of original signs; place utility locate request demarcations and perform locating services of existing traffic control devices; install and replace shoulder delineators; take traffic counts and radar speed studies.
• Install and maintain both planned and emergency road closure signs.
• Document and report work with computerized or other electronic devices, including the use of asset management and timekeeping programs.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be foundhere.

• Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.
• One of more years of related work experience.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Must have a valid Washington State Commercial Driver’s License, with appropriate endorsements to operate the striping truck.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.