Traffic Signal Maintenance Technician III

City of Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 4,323,000 - 6,274,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Boulder is hiring a Traffic Signal Maintenance Technician III to perform installation, maintenance, and repair of traffic signals and related lighting systems. This full-time hourly role requires 40 hours per week and involves field work in varied conditions across Boulder.

Responsibilities include coordinating with contractors, reviewing plans, maintaining asset records, and ensuring work adheres to city standards.

Qualifications

• Ability to operate a variety of electrical, electronic, and communications test equipment.
• Ability to plan work activities, coordinate the work of others, and give/receive instructions.
• Ability to work in outdoor environments with traffic and adverse weather conditions.
• Commitment to safety protocols and ability to maintain accurate records of work performed.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with customers, contractors, and internal staff.

Responsibilities

• Installs, programs, tests, maintains, and repairs traffic signal systems and related lighting and communications equipment.
• Completes daily review of Colorado 811 utility locate requests and responds to CRM/BPD notifications.
• Coordinates with project managers, engineers, contractors, and inspectors; interprets plans and performs field layout.
• Monitors and inspects contracted traffic signal construction; ensures work meets specifications and city design criteria.
• Maintains Beehive asset data; records quantities for payments and as-built documentation.
• Operates and maintains traffic signal computer systems and related equipment; provides guidance in the signal crew.

Job description

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

August 30, 2026

Compensation Details:

Hiring Range

31.38 - 45.54

This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

BMEA (20+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

Under limited supervision, the Traffic Signal Maintenance Technician III performs routine to complex installation, maintenance, and repair work related to all aspects of traffic signals and related traffic control devices, traffic signal computer systems and subsystems, city-owned transportation lighting facilities, including streetlights, bridge ornamental, and underpass lighting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Installs, programs, tests, maintains, and repairs traffic signal systems, street lighting systems, underpass lighting systems, signal communications systems, and subsystems. This includes but is not limited to, pedestrian APS push button systems, fiber and ethernet communication network switches, wireless radios, termination panels, and connections, various street-lighting control systems, overhead or span wire systems, underground conduits and wiring systems, detection and actuation systems, to include inductive loops, video detection systems, radar detection systems, and various advanced vehicular detection systems, Opticom type emergency vehicle pre-emption systems, various types of signal controllers and associated plug-in modules, signal display equipment and mounting hardware and wireless communications systems, to include 900 spread spectrum, 2.4MHz, and 5.8MHz systems.
• Completes daily review and work associated with all Colorado 811 Utility Notification Center of Colorado utility locate requests.
• Responds to requests from the City of Boulder Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and Boulder Police Dispatch (BPD) notifications.
• Coordinates, monitors, and inspects contracted traffic signal construction and maintenance work.
• Assists in the development and review of plans and specifications for the installation and upgrade of traffic signals and related traffic control devices.
• Interprets detailed construction plans and performs field layout of proposed installations or modifications as detailed on the plans.
• Anticipates materials needed to complete projects and obtains and distributes those materials to contractors in a timely manner.
• Coordinates with project managers, engineers, surveyors, contractors, and inspectors regarding work in progress.
• Identifies problems and makes appropriate field decisions as necessary, to ensure materials are installed and constructed per specifications.
• Performs inspections to ensure completion in accordance with plans, specifications, codes, and City design criteria.
• Enters all data associated with signal construction projects and assets into the Beehive asset management database system.
• Measures final installation quantities for payment finalization and confirms data provided for “as-built” documentation and provides all data to signal supervisor.
• Performs work as the primary contact for the signal technician work group in the absence of the Lead Signal Technician. This includes prioritizing and assigning daily tasks,providing work instruction and inspecting completed work.
• Monitors work in progress to pinpoint problems and to ensure organized and efficient work and a quality work product.
• Facilitates good communication with co-workers and the supervisor. This includes communicating direction and policies from supervisor to work group, providing information, and receiving feedback, listening to, and respecting input, encouraging participation of co-workers in conversations, and dealing directly with issues that arise.
• Ensures that equipment assigned to work group is maintained, used, and kept in a proper manner.
• Performs special projects as assigned by the supervisor.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for performance of signal crew and work produced.
• Responding to requests for service, and provides information and training regarding traffic signals, frequently coordinates, and communicates effectively with external and internal customers. Customers include members of the public, including those frustrated or upset due to a problem or change involving traffic signals, private contractors affecting or affected by traffic signals or traffic signal construction activity, inspectors, both internal and external to the City of Boulder, and other customers, such as the Fire Department, Boulder Valley School District, and the University of Colorado.
• Operates and maintains electronic equipment associated with the traffic signal computer system. This includes, but is not limited to, local intersection and central communication equipment, including wireless and hardwire modes, computers, signal server, and associated operating systems, and test equipment, including multi meters, oscilloscopes, Triplet tester, and various proprietary equipment and software.
• Responds to emergency traffic control device problems by investigating traffic signal system malfunctions, replacing faulty parts, and repairing damaged traffic control devices.Maintains accurate records of work performed and materials and equipment used, utilizing the Beehive computer database, spreadsheets, and word processing applications.
• Keeps abreast of technical advances and emerging products in the constantly evolving traffic signal industry. Makes recommendations to the signal supervisor regarding material and equipment standards and helps develop product specifications for bid purposes.
• Installs, maintains, and upgrades underpass, bridge ornamental, streetlights, and other city-owned transportation lighting facilities.
• Participates in and provides orientation and instruction to incoming employees. Participates in and provides feedback during interviews and performance evaluations.
• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
• Knows and complies with all City and department policies and participates in professional trainings and development

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to effectively use computers and application programs.
• Ability to maintain accurate written work records.
• Ability to operate a variety of long handle, manual, and power tools and equipment.
• Ability to plan work activities, to give and receive verbal instructions, and to coordinate the work of others.
• Ability to remain alert to conditions and events occurring in public rights-of-way indicating anticipated or needed maintenance and repairs.
• Ability to take proper safety precautions to prevent accidents including use of all required safety equipment and following all safety regulations, policies, procedures and reporting requirements. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
• Ability to use a variety of electrical, electronic, and communications test equipment.
• Ability to work courteously and effectively with the public in difficult situations.
• Skill and experience in coordinating personnel and projects.
• Valid Colorado Driver’s license and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of City of Boulder Standards and Design Criteria.
• Knowledge of Colorado Department of Transportation.
• Knowledge of the geography of the City of Boulder.
• Graduate of recognized traffic signal technician apprenticeship program.
• IMSA Level III Traffic Signal Certification.
• IMSA Level I Roadway Lighting Technician Certification.
• IMSA Level II Roadway Lighting Technician Certification.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s degree in electrical, electronics, or related field; or equivalent of four (4) years of related experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
• Four (4) years’ experience in the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of traffic signal systems
• Commercial Driver’s License with appropriate classifications and endorsements or new hires have ability to obtain within six (6) months.
• IMSA Level I Traffic Signal Certification.
• IMSA Level II Traffic Signal Certification.
• ATSSA Work Site Traffic Control Supervisor Certification or new hires have ability to obtain within one (1) year.
• To assure timely response to signal emergencies when on stand-by, within three (3) months of completing probation and for the duration of employment in the position, required to reside within a forty-five (45) minute drive of the Signal Shop at 5050 East Pearl Street.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received : Traffic Signal Maintenance Supervisor

Supervision Exercised : None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Physical and Mental Effort :Physical ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks in an outdoor daytime and nighttime environment in and around moving traffic, requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling. Upper body strength to lift and carry equipment as needed. Ability to regularly lift or exert up to 70 pounds and occasionally lift or exert up to 100 pounds. Ability to work 45 feet above ground. Maximum body weight of 275 pounds throughout duration of employment in the position due to aerial lift equipment load limitations. Ability to use all required safety equipment. Frequent hand and eye coordination and finger dexterity to use hand and power tools and to operate computer and office equipment, vision for frequent observing, reading, recording, and interpreting information, including ability to distinguish distinct color changes and frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with citizens and co-workers.
• Work Environment :Works primarily in an outdoor or enclosed vehicle environment. Frequently works in or adjacent to moving roadway traffic, encountering noise, dust, and fumes. Frequently encounters adverse weather conditions, darkness, and mechanical, electrical and equipment hazards.Requires rotating on 24-hour stand-by duty during non-normal working hours and working effectively at night and in all weather conditions.
• Machines and Equipment Used : Traffic signal computer and related systems, telecommunications systems, traffic signal controllers and related systems, hand tools, power tools, long-handled tools, measuring devices, multi meter, oscilloscope, communications test equipment, underground utility locators, computers and related peripherals, telephone, photocopy machine, fax machine, and other standard office equipment, drafting tools, digital cameras, city vehicle, aerial boom and platform lift trucks, and forklift.

As part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.