Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To manage and direct the activities of the Regional Traffic Section which supports the delivery of the safe and efficient operation of traffic on highways within the region through the provision of services and expertise in the specialized field of traffic engineering. These services include the collection, processing and analysis of data for multiple users across all branches of the Ministry related to traffic volumes and collisions; expertise regarding signing, illumination, traffic signals design and operation, ATMS; as well as traffic management for construction, maintenance, major incidents and special events. To provide traffic engineering services to Regional Engineering in the development of the regional multi-year capital program and Ministry long range plans. To carry out traffic studies and to prepare recommendations for new and existing traffic signals and traffic signal systems to provide safe and efficient traffic movement on highways in the Region.
To act as an authoritative expert representing the Region and Ministry on committees, task forces and in proceedings for policy and technical matters involving traffic engineering and operational matters.
Manages and directs section staff, including recommending the hiring of employees, chairs interview panels, administering discipline, acting as management representative to grievances, assigns responsibilities, determines service and project priorities and establishes standards of performance.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Manages the section in support to Regional Engineering and other ministry branches in the development of the regional multi-year capital program and ministry long term planning exercises through the collection, processing and distribution of volume data, together with the delivery of various traffic studies (e.g. traffic analysis, collision analysis, safety assessments), both directly and as members of mutli-disciplinary teams.
2. Manages the planning and delivery of traffic engineering services within the Region including signing, illumination, traffic signals design and operation, traffic management for construction, maintenance, major incidents and special events. Oversees the coordination of ongoing service requirements and special projects to ensure efficient and effective operations in all areas of traffic management.
3. Provides leadership on the development and implementation of new technologies, processes and concepts (e.g. Intelligent Transportation Systems, Human factors theory, traffic data collection technologies, advanced traffic management systems etc.)through participation on ministry technical committees and project task groups for the development of new procedures, technical improvements and new equipment for traffic engineering.
4. Provides input to ministry policy and traffic related legislation. Provides expert technical advice to senior management, ministry staff and other road/traffic agencies related to traffic operations and safety. Ensures the timely and accurate response by section staff to inquiries from elected officials, senior management, the media, OPP, various external agencies/organizations and the public at large. Represents the ministry as an expert witness at coroner's inquests, in court proceedings, and in council/public meetings.
5. Manages section staff, including recommending the hiring of employees, chairs interview panels, administers discipline, responds as management representative to grievances, assigns responsibilities, determines service and project priorities and establishes standards of performance. Identifies and monitors staff development needs, coordinates individual development plans and evaluates job performance. Facilitates the building of staff expertise and team cohesiveness through the provision of advice, coaching and support. Promotes and facilitates strong working relationships with staff in other sections of the Region and other branches of the ministry. Handles employee relations issues.
6. Manages section operations and services including preparing the annual operational plan; identifying and recommending financial, equipment and human resource requirements; developing, administering and controlling section operational, capital and project budgets; establishing section service goals, developing section performance indicators, monitoring service delivery levels, resolving service delivery issues and problems, monitoring engineering contracts, and ensuring section service results meet ministry quality and cost effectiveness standards.
7. Provides leadership and direction to staff conducting traffic reviews and the development of recommendations regarding highway planning and design, proposed land developments, construction operations and staging and maintenance operations. Ensures that the planning for future traffic requirements is responsive to technological changes in road/highway design, equipment, illumination, automated technologies and new strategies.
8. Manages and provides leadership expertise in resolving complex and unusual traffic flow problems; co-ordinates the development of traffic management emergency planning initiatives and monitors their effectiveness; development and implementation of the Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and; determines priorities, direction and plans for special highway operational issues (e.g. special events, complex construction staging). Coordinates collaboration with regional engineering, construction and maintenance staff, other ministry offices, police authorities, emergency services, local municipalities, and other external agencies to facilitate and manage effective operation of the highway network and to ensure optimum highway safety throughout the region.
9. Oversees the development of project plans and schedules, the preparation of EOI's and RFP's, the selection of external engineers, consultants and contractors, and the monitoring/management/evaluation of the delivery of their services. Ensures that section projects progress according to project plans and schedules. Presents project reports, results, and recommendations to senior management.
10. Participates as a member of the management team for the Region Traffic Section. In partnership with the Manager of Engineering and other Section Heads, identifies, develops and prioritizes program/service objectives, business and communication plans and strategies to operationalize program strategic plans.

Knowledge :

The position requires a degree in engineering (preferably civil) and registration with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) to provide professional/technical direction related to traffic engineering. Expert knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of traffic engineering, planning, design, operation and evaluation of major transportation systems; human factors related to highway design and operations, and knowledge of advanced traffic management systems to oversee the delivery of traffic engineering services and the resolution of traffic management issues and problems throughout the region. Broad knowledge of MTO policy and procedures for highway planning, design, construction and maintenance. Advanced knowledge of relevant sections of ministry legislation (e.g. The Highway Traffic Act) and related ministry policies, procedures, standards, specifications related to highway operations and safety to ensure that regional operations meet ministry traffic management accountability requirements. Knowledge of ministry traffic management business goals, objectives and priorities to develop and monitor operational plans. Management skills to plan section services, control section budgets, and allocate financial/staff resources.
Analytical and problem solving skills to identify traffic management requirements and develop immediate and effective solutions to resolve issues and problems. Customer service, consultative and communication skills to provide leadership and facilitate client service by section staff, and to provide expert advisory services to senior management and clients across the ministry, external agencies/organizations and municipal jurisdictions, and to prepare section plans, project reports, and policy recommendations. Human resources management and team leadership skills to supervise section staff.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Manager of Engineering and within the broad framework of government, ministry and regional mandate and business objectives/priorities related to traffic management programs. The position functions with a considerable degree of professional independence, with guidelines available in the form of relevant legislation, regulations, ministry policies and practices. The position exercises judgment by planning and managing section services in response to traffic management requirements; interpreting ministry legislation, policies and standards in establishing priorities and providing expert professional/technical advice and direction to staff, other ministry offices, and external contacts related to traffic management issues; and resolving unique and/or complex traffic engineering and systems problems. The position exercises judgment by providing input to ministry traffic management policies. Judgment is required in ensuring that all proposed traffic control signals adhere to current standards legislation and practices. Judgment is required in the drafting and review of legal agreements and contracts with agents or partners of the ministry, in the evaluation of proposals and prototype products, and in assessing and resolving technical and administrative material referred by subordinates.
The position exercises judgment by leading/chairing technical committees and project teams; and providing information and advice to elected officials, ministry officials, senior management and various internal and external client groups. Judgment is exercised in the identification and resolution of section service issues, the control of section budgets and the management of section staff and external contractors.

Accountability - Programs :

The position is accountable for the effective management of the section responsible for the planning and delivery of a traffic program which ensures the safe and efficient operation of traffic on highways throughout the region through the provision of traffic engineering services and expertise, and the resolution of traffic management issues and emergencies. The position establishes section objectives and operational plans; leads and manages section services and projects; and provides expert advisory and consultation services to internal/external clients.

Accountability – Personnel :

The position supervises professional, technical and administrative staff in the section; provides indirect supervision to staff through subordinate supervisors; and provides technical leadership and direction to external consultant engineers and contractors.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

The position forecasts, monitors and controls section operational, capital and project budgets. Develops terms of reference for outside engineering contracts, evaluates tenders received for suitability and hire/manages consultant engineers and contractors. Recommends the acquisition and maintenance of equipment.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Failure to ensure effective section services, failure in the identification of traffic management issues and failure to undertake timely resolution of these issues could result in severe traffic congestion, delays in response by emergency services, inconvenience and unsafe conditions for the driving public, loss of credibility for the ministry related to its traffic monitoring and management responsibility, and potential legal action against the ministry.

Contact - Internal :

The position has frequent contact with Head Office, Division and Regional senior management to provide expert technical advice and recommendations regarding traffic management plans, operations and issues for the Region. Frequent contact with professional, engineering, and technical staff in the ministry to coordinate operational responses and special projects, and to provide technical authoritative advice. Frequent contact with personnel in other ministries to respond to inquiries, participate in inter-ministry committees, and provide technical information and advice.

Contact - External :

The position has frequent contact with senior officials and staff of other municipal jurisdictions, OPP, emergency services and external agencies/organizations to lead emergency and special event planning initiatives, and to liaise on traffic operational issues. Regular contact with municipal jurisdictions, elected officials and their staff, the media, external organizations and the public, to respond to inquiries and to provide information related to traffic management policies and issues. Regular contact with external engineers/contractors to provide guidance and direction for the conducting of special projects.