Traffic Signal Technician - Apprentice

Charlotte, County of (FL); Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte County is seeking a field technician to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair traffic signals, roadway lighting, and related electrical systems across the county. You will work alongside experienced technicians and gain hands-on experience with signal controllers, detection systems, and communication equipment.

The role involves inspecting installations, performing preventative maintenance, and responding to equipment malfunctions in varying outdoor conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with vocational training in electricity, electronics, mechanics, or traffic control system operations.
• At least 1 year of experience or training in electronics, mechanical maintenance, traffic control system operations, and equipment operation.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair traffic signals, roadway lighting, school zone warning devices, and related electrical systems.
• Assist with inspecting traffic signal installations and ongoing preventative maintenance.
• Diagnose electrical issues and replace damaged components.
• Operate specialized tools, diagnostic equipment, aerial lift trucks, and other machinery while following safety procedures.
• Help organize inventory, complete work orders, and maintain maintenance reports.
• Support field operations and provide professional customer service to coworkers, contractors, and the public.

Skills

Electrical systems knowledge

Troubleshooting

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma+vocational training

1 year experience in electronics/maintenance/traffic control

Job description

Are you interested in building your electrical and technical skills while helping keep our community moving safely and efficiently? In this hands-on role, you’ll work alongside experienced technicians to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair traffic signals, roadway lighting, school zone warning devices, and other electrical systems that support safe and reliable transportation throughout the County.

You’ll gain valuable experience working with traffic signal controllers, electrical circuits, vehicle detection systems, communication equipment, and roadway lighting. From assisting with signal timing and programming to diagnosing electrical issues and replacing damaged components, you’ll develop practical skills while learning how these essential systems operate.

This position offers a variety of fieldwork and technical responsibilities. You’ll assist with inspecting traffic signal installations, locating underground utilities, performing preventative maintenance, and responding to equipment malfunctions. You’ll also learn to operate specialized tools, diagnostic equipment, aerial lift trucks, and other machinery while following established safety procedures.

In addition to technical work, you’ll help maintain equipment and supplies, organize inventory, complete work orders and maintenance reports, and support general field operations. You’ll work in a variety of outdoor conditions, participate in a rotational on-call program, and provide professional customer service when interacting with coworkers, contractors, and the public.

If you enjoy working with your hands, solving problems, learning new technology, and developing your skills in the electrical field, this is a great opportunity to grow your experience while making a meaningful impact on roadway safety in our community.

Education and Experience:

An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent supplemented by vocational training in electricity, electronics, mechanics, traffic control system and roadway lighting system operations.
• One (1) year of experience and/or training in electronics, mechanical maintenance, traffic control system operations, and equipment operation.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Within three (3) months of position assignment:
  • Must maintain a valid State of Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class “A” with air brake endorsement.
• Within six (6) months of position assignment:
  • Must maintain valid FDOT or IMSA Work Zone Safety certification.
• Within twelve (12) months of position assignment:
  • Must possess and maintain IMSA Traffic Signal Technician Level I certification.
• Preferred:
  • IMSA Traffic Signal Level II Construction Technician
  • Level II Bench Technician
  • Roadway Lighting Level 1 certification

You’re comfortable working in active roadway environments, around moving traffic, and in varying weather conditions. Safety is a priority for you, and you’re able to operate aerial lift equipment at heights up to 55 feet, as well as crane trucks, backhoes, forklifts, and other specialized vehicles and equipment.

You’re dependable, organized, and capable of performing hands‑on work, including manual labor in challenging outdoor conditions. You can prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and work independently while following established departmental policies, procedures, and safety standards.

You’re comfortable using Microsoft Office and other job-related software, along with standard office equipment, to maintain accurate records, prepare reports, complete data entry, and manage routine administrative responsibilities. Your attention to detail helps ensure work is documented accurately and efficiently.

You communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, and can prepare correspondence, reports, and other documentation with minimal supervision. You bring strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Above all, you’re a reliable team player who values safety, accountability, and exceptional customer service. You build positive working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, and the public while helping support safe and efficient County operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception. Frequent lifting of 10 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work requires moderate exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, covered loading docks, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires moderate exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, assault and battery, heavy equipment, communicable disease, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Charlotte County is an affirmative action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.