Transportation Specialist

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Government's District Department of Transportation (DDOT) seeks a Transportation Specialist in the Traffic Signals & Engineering Division. The role reviews Traffic Control Plans for multimodal access, detours, and temporary signals, and conducts field audits to verify work zone devices and safety measures.

The incumbent analyzes work zones, tracks performance, documents issues, and recommends corrective actions to ensure safe and efficient movement for all roadway users.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.
• Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
• Work Experience (Preferred): Demonstrated practical knowledge of temporary traffic control devices and established work zone safety practices; experience reviewing TMPs or TCPs; DDOT standards and Temporary Traffic Control Manuals; 2+ years in transportation engineering; 1 year in field inspection or related work.

Responsibilities

• Review Traffic Control Plans for compliance with standards and multimodal access.
• Conduct field audits to verify work zone devices, signs, markings, barriers, and lighting.
• Monitor work zones to evaluate safety, mobility, and operational performance.
• Prepare audit reports, analyze findings, and recommend corrective actions to meet contract requirements.

Skills

Quality assurance

Field inspections

Customer inquiries

Education

Major study fields

Tools

Traffic Control Manuals

Job description

This Transportation Specialist position is part of the Traffic Engineering Branch within the Traffic Signals & Engineering Division (TSED) of the Traffic Safety Administration at the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The role supports a rapidly growing team of professionals dedicated to transforming the transportation landscape of the Nation’s Capital. The specialist reviews Traffic Control Plans for compliance with applicable standards, including multimodal access, pedestrian and bicycle routing, transit considerations, work hour restrictions, and traffic operations. The role assesses staging layouts, detours, lane configurations, and temporary signals to ensure proposed designs maintain safe and efficient travel.

The Transportation Specialist performs technical plan reviews of work zones to ensure compliance with established standards and manuals. The role includes tracking and monitoring work zones to evaluate safety, mobility, multimodal access, and overall operational performance, as required by approved Traffic Control Plan and Transportation Management Plan. The specialist ensures proper implementation of work zone elements, confirms that device placement and traffic operations meet requirements, documents deficiencies, recommends corrective actions, and supports safe and efficient movement for all roadway users. The specialist conducts field audits to verify correct implementation of work zone devices, signs, markings, barriers, channelization, and lighting. Responsibilities include checking multimodal accessibility, observing traffic conditions, confirming worker safety practices, documenting issues, monitoring corrective actions, and contributing to work zone performance improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities

This incumbent serves as quality control and quality assurance specialist in providing transportation operations audit functions to ensure services align with the agency goals. Prepares and maintains control procedures, quality reviews, process checklists, quality audit protocols, and quality reports in alignment with quality assurance plans for transportation operations. Oversees the performance of transportation service contractors through onboard service evaluations and street observations, ensuring compliance with the service's Operational Performance Measures and Requirements, as outlined in the contract or Memorandum of Understanding. Maintains documents and records, conducts performance measurements, and analysis service performance relative to the vehicle and staffing availability to ensure compliance with the quality control processes outlined in the contract or agreement.

This position conducts field audits to document and ensures the service performance level adheres to policies, procedures, and guidelines established in the governing service agreement document. Prepares audit reports, analyzes and assesses findings, documents service performance and recommends changes for corrective action to achieve the required service performance levels aligned with agency goals. Attends and participates in community and service outreach projects to provide information on service changes and to gain firsthand insight and feedback on service delivery to enhance transportation services and document agency outreach goals. Manages, documents, and responds to customer inquiries, questions, and concerns and provides a timely response as required by the agency.

Qualifications and Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.

or

Specialized Experience

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Work Experience (Preferred)

Demonstrated practical knowledge of temporary traffic control devices and established work zone safety practices. Experience reviewing, implementing, and enforcing Transportation Management Plans (TMPs) or Traffic Control Plans (TCP). Working knowledge of DDOT standards and Temporary Traffic Control Manuals. A minimum of two years of progressive, hands‑on experience in the transportation engineering industry. At least one year of professional experience in field inspection, work zone monitoring, or in temporary traffic control design, review, implementation, or enforcement.

Licenses and Certifications

The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid driver’s permit to operate motor vehicles.

The work is performed in the normal office setting and in-the-field, when investigating and analyzing street traffic conditions and conducting traffic studies, etc. Field work may bring the incumbent to construction sites and in contact with construction materials (soils, concrete, asphalt, steel, etc.).

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty

Varies

Pay Plan, Series and Grade

CS-2101-1 2

Promotional Potential

No known promotion potential

Type of Appointment

Career Services – Term Appt

Collective Bargaining Unit

This position is not a part of a collective bargaining unit.

Position Designation

The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability -Security Sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

Emergency Designation

This position has been designated as emergency employee position under the provisions of District Personnel Manual, Chapter 12. As such, your services may be required in emergency situations to perform crucial duties, i.e., snow removal, debris removal, transportation, shelter operation, food distribution, and communications. These duties may be performed when the government is closed or when most employees are dismissed early. Employees are required to work rotating shifts, to include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Employees are considered emergency personnel and are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

Benefits May Include

DDOT is an employer of choice for any job seeker who has passion, energy, and enthusiasm about our city. Employee benefits include:

• Health and life insurance benefits and retirement benefits (More information about these benefits is available on the D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR) website at www.dchr.dc.gov .)
• Complimentary Capital BikeShare Membership
• Continued professional development, and professional growth through d.University, the in-house training available for all DDOT employees
• Employer assisted housing loan program, providing payment and/or closing cost financing for first-time home buyers (restrictions apply)

Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement

The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.