DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:
The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. In addition to the starting salary, employees in the Associate Transportation Specialist classification shall also receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay.
Per the City’s COVID19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all employees starting on or after February 11, 2022, to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent a documented medical and/or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination means that employees are required to be “up-to-date” with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine. Consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order issued on December 28, 2021, "up-to-date" means that an employee is not only "fully vaccinated," but has also obtained any booster doses of a COVID-19 vaccination for which they are eligible, within 15 days of first becoming eligible.
The Department of Transportation is looking to fill two Associate Transportation Specialist positions for the following Division:
Transportation Planning and Project Delivery Division
The Legislative and Policy Lead Associate Transportation Specialist position in the Transportation Planning and Project Delivery Division. The incumbent of the position develops, analyzes, and influences federal, state, and regional transportation policy on behalf of DOT and the City. The position performs work of considerable political and technical sensitivity. The successful candidate will work closely with DOT and City leadership to manage a legislative and policy portfolio that protects and proactively grows the City’s ability to build, operate, and maintain the City’s multi-modal transportation system.
Key duties include but are not limited to:
• Represent the DOT at meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including by presenting and/or facilitating public meetings
• Coordinate with Intergovernmental Affairs, the City Attorney’s Office, the City’s lobbyists in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and others to strategize and articulate positions and memorandum
• Analyze legislation and other policy proposals with impacts to transportation outcomes and/or funding and coordinate responses with relevant DOT and other city staff
• Write and edit memorandum, letters, presentations, and other communications analyzing and explaining policy options and recommendations
• Track and influence Federal, State and regional legislation and/or policies, including through regularly monitoring relevant news and reports, providing timely and digestible information to decision-makers, providing testimony, engaging with relevant associations (for example, the California Big Cities Transportation Coalition, National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), League of California Cities or Transportation for America), and participating in meetings and events
• Identify and influence the development of funding opportunities at all levels of government
• Proactively connect the dots and build partnerships among DOT staff, other City departments and organizations outside of the City to advance mutually beneficial goals
Transportation and Parking Operation Division, Streetlights and Asset Management Section
San Jose operates and manages a network of over 65,000 streetlights throughout the City. The Associate Transportation Specialist (ATS), under the direction of the Senior Engineer, supports the management and enhancement of the City’s streetlights system, helping to create an environment for improved roadway and personal safety. The ATS leads the effort to accurately document the City's inventory of streetlight infrastructure assets. This position requires the ability to proactively manage projects and effectively coordinate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Key duties include:
• Assist with the planning and implementation of new streetlight operations, features, or products that align with City vision and goals
• Coordinate with maintenance crews for streetlight operations and maintenance issues
• Collaborate with the Department of Public Works to deploy streetlights capital improvement projects
• Engage with consultants, contractors, and vendors to deploy and manage advanced streetlight systems
• Support citywide capital and development projects with planning and design review support related to the City's streetlight network
• Manage and operate streetlight control systems
• Monitor and report energy usage for streetlights
• Respond to resident streetlights concerns
• Participate in community engagement and public meetings, as necessary
• Perform field audit of existing streetlights assets
• Enhance, maintain, and monitor the streetlight GIS database
• Use GIS database to produce maps and perform streetlights data analytics
• Lead and mentor technical staff, including Geographic Information Specialists, in the performance of work by establishing achievement plans, tracking performance, creating a positive and engaging work environment, maximizing staff development opportunities, and providing appropriate recognition.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
• If you have a bachelor’s degree, please provide your field of study.
• Please describe your experience that supports your meeting the requirements for Associate Transportation Specialist. In your response, please list qualifying experiences in the following format: name of institution/employer, duration of employment, full-time or part-time status, and job duties. Your response should be consistent with your work history. (Please note: One year of work experience = 2,080 hours.)
• If you selected Planning and Project Delivery, please describe your experience developing, evaluating, and influencing policy. In your response, include relevant experience in memorandum writing, testimony, policy analysis, and other techniques you have found effective; provide examples and the impact of your work on policy outcomes. If this does not apply, please write "N/A" for not applicable.
• If you selected Parking Operation, Streetlights and Asset Management, please describe your experience in planning, design, and deploying streetlight systems; or developing and managing transportation asset databases. If this does not apply, please write "N/A" for not applicable.
• Please cite an example where you were involved in working with the community and/or multiple stakeholder groups on a project. Describe the project, your role in any meetings or presentations that were held, and how you were able to influence the outcome of the project by handling/resolving issues among the stakeholders.
• Describe how you proactively maintain your expertise and keep informed of the latest developments in your area of specialty.
• Describe your experience with complex projects requiring analytical work of considerable difficulty and formulation of recommendations. In your response, please describe the steps you took in completing the analysis.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Courtney Phommachack at Courtney.phommachack@sanjoseca.gov.