Traffic Design Engineering Specialist

Location:

Knoxville, TN – Department of Transportation, Knox County – Region 1, Preconstruction – Traffic Design Section. Salary: $67,764 – $87,912 annually (approximately $5,647 – $7,326 monthly). 2 days work‑from‑home per week after initial training; 3 days in office.

• Transportation Engineering Specialist 1:
  Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management.
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 2:
  Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 year of demonstrated competency in planning, developing, and/or constructing projects.
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 3:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 years of demonstrated competency in planning, developing, and/or constructing projects, or Master’s Degree in the same fields and 1 year of demonstrated competency.
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 4:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 3 years of demonstrated competency in planning, developing, and/or constructing projects, or Master’s Degree in the same fields and 2 years of demonstrated competency.

The Traffic Design Engineering Specialist 3 and 4 assists in providing guidance and support services for the Region Traffic Design teams. The position collaborates with Project Teams by identifying potential design challenges and implementing statewide acquired knowledge that focuses on ensuring quality deliverables, minimizing variability, and increasing the safety and performance of the Department’s transportation system. The specialist works with multiple TDOT divisions, project team members, consultants, contractors, and other external stakeholders.

The role follows TDOT’s Traffic Design policies, specifications, software, and websites to support the traffic design project delivery process and to ensure contractual requirements are met. The specialist ensures Department policies, technical guidance, and procedures are incorporated into traffic‑design deliverables and assists in implementing the Quality Assurance Program as part of the Region’s preconstruction activities. Continuous evaluation of performance indicators is performed to apply acquired knowledge into policies that mitigate risk and enhance performance, supporting TDOT’s strategic vision.

The role supports core traffic services (signals, signs, markings, roadway lighting) as well as advanced transportation technologies, traffic modeling, safety projects, and work zones. Clear communication of data and technical concepts through training, mentoring, and collaboration within a matrix organization is essential.

• Serve as a resource for Project Teams within a matrix organization by applying the Project Delivery Network (PDN) through traffic‑design plan reviews to ensure compliance with TDOT specifications, policies, procedures, standards, federal requirements, circular letters, and MUTCD applications.
• Ensure accurate accounting of all pay items and associated costs in the project estimate, mitigating risk by identifying potential conflicts during development and preconstruction phases, and meeting project schedule timelines.
• Assist and support Region Preconstruction teams with intermediate or complex traffic‑design challenges, enabling staff to perform effectively and efficiently.
• Assist with modifications to all applicable policies, procedures, design standards, specifications, and guidelines.
• Integrate quality management into all deliverables, including policies, procedures, and manuals, by analyzing data and monitoring trends that require updates to procedures to reduce errors, construction delays, and contractor claims.
• Develop a consultant acquisition plan, oversee consultants, and serve on selection committees for professional engineering services as part of the Brooks Act, including RFP development, marketing meetings, scoring criteria, project information sessions, contract negotiation, de‑briefs, and contract compliance…