Traffic Supervising Engineer

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Pension and retirement plan

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

King County Road Services Division seeks a Traffic Supervising Engineer IV to lead traffic operations, QA/QC across major projects, and supervise staff in field and office studies. You will guide the Traffic Count Program and drive innovative traffic control technologies for safer travel across King County.

The role requires PE licensing, 7 years of traffic ops experience, and 5 years of supervisory responsibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Seven years of professional traffic operations experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible supervisory experience.
• PE license and ability to obtain Washington license within six months.
• Experience with MUTCD, WSDOT Design Manual, FHWA and AASHTO standards.
• Strong written and oral communication, and ability to present to officials and the public.

Responsibilities

• Supervise field and office work for traffic safety investigations and citizen requests.
• Oversee High Crash Location reporting, road closures, work zone traffic control, and striping.
• Provide QA/QC for traffic elements on capital and countywide projects.
• Supervise discretionary traffic services for contract cities.
• Perform or supervise in-house traffic studies and review consultant work.
• Oversee collision coding and development of annual traffic safety report.
• Review Special Use Permit applications for events and provide recommendations.
• Assist with litigation support to the PAO as needed.

Skills

Traffic operations

QA/QC

Supervisory leadership

Public speaking

Field studies

MS Office

Education

BSCE or related field

Tools

MUTCD

WSDOT Design Manual

ITE Recommended Practices

Job description

Summary

King County Road Services Division has a unique opportunity for you to play an important role in making positive changes to our local environment! Join a team that is shaping the future of safe, efficient travel across King County. We are looking for a dynamic individual to join our team as a Traffic Supervising Engineer IV. In this role, you’ll lead quality assurance for traffic elements in key capital and countywide projects, drive innovative field and office studies to evaluate and advance traffic control technologies, and guide our Traffic Count Program to ensure we meet evolving standards. If you’re passionate about making real-world impact through smart transportation systems and enjoy leading skilled teams, this is an opportunity to help define how our community moves.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division - King County, Washington

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Supervise field and office work for traffic safety investigations and responses to citizen traffic-related requests.
• Oversee the High Crash Location Reporting, road closures and work zone traffic control, channelization design, pavement markings and striping, School Safety Program activities, traffic operations analysis.
• Provide QA/QC for traffic elements for assigned capital and countywide projects.
• Oversee discretionary traffic services for contract cities.
• Perform or supervise in-house traffic studies and analyses, including review of consultant work.
• Oversee collision coding, processing, and development of the Annual Traffic Safety Report.
• Supervise staff supporting countywide Guardrail Programs.
• Review Special Use Permit applications for special events such as bike races, fun runs, parades, etc.
• Review legislative documents and provide recommendations.
• Provide litigation support to the PAO as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) or closely related field
• Seven years (7) of professional traffic operations experience involving planning, engineering, and operational needs of roadway systems.
• Five years (5) of progressively responsible supervisory experience, including hiring, work assignment oversight, performance evaluations, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
• Experience interpreting and applying technical standards and guidelines such as the MUTCD, WSDOT Design Manual, FHWA and AASHTO standards, KCRDCS (or similar), and ITE Recommended Practices.
• Experience researching and interpreting applicable codes, policies, regulations, and transportation‑related laws at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Experience using traffic analysis methods for roadway channelization design and traffic calming applications.
• Experience conducting field evaluations and reviews, including providing recommendations for project scope and construction cost estimates.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written formats, including in politically sensitive situations and when working with officials, the public, partner jurisdictions, and internal and external staff.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals, customers, and stakeholders while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Ability to make presentations and provide testimony related to claims and lawsuits.
• Skilled in adapting to frequently changing work responsibilities.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office applications such as Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to perform duties as assigned

Necessary Requirements

• Professional Engineering (PE) License
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License or ability to get one within 6 months of employment

Desirable Requirement

• Professional Traffic Operations Engineering (PTOE) License

Supplemental Information

Work Conditions

• Work performed in the field for extended periods of time may be performed under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Works outdoors, which may require walking on uneven, rocky or rough ground, or working in inclement weather.
• May work in an active traffic environment
• Required to sit, talk, listen and hear; frequently required to use hands to finger, feel or handle writing utensils, computer and office supplies which require repetitive arm, wrist and hand movement.
• Sometimes it is required to stand and reach with arms and hands. Specific vision abilities include close, distant, color, and physical activity including but not limited to lifting up to 25 lbs. at least waist height; carrying and moving objects.
• Work adjacent to or on large equipment, with moving parts, subjected to loud noise and vibration.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

The first review of applications will take place the week of September 28, 2026. Applicants that pass the initial screening will be invited for an interview the following week.

WHO MAY APPLY

This position is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term‑limited temporary, short‑term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

WORK SCHEDULE

The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Non‑Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS

This position has been designated as: Non‑Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

UNION MEMBERSHIP

PROTEC17

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT

We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, field work, onsite work and meetings as needed. The primary onsite location is at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action‑oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE

Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.