Location
Description
The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is seeking a Traffic and Lighting Technician
The Department
The Public Works Department is comprised of the Engineering and Facilities Services Division (EFSD) and the Environmental Services Division (ESD). Each division is led by a Deputy Director reporting to the Director of Public Works. The department is responsible for the City’s major capital projects and infrastructure including streets, street lights, traffic signals, sewer and storm conveyance systems, wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, a major lagoon, and dams and levees. A key player on this team is the Traffic and Lighting Technician. You would be joining over 500 people whose mission is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit.
Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g
The Position
The Traffic and Lighting Technician performs skilled electrical and mechanical work in the maintenance and repair of traffic control signage, traffic signal equipment, and street lights; and guides the work of and trains other maintenance personnel, and performs related work as required. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Guide and participate in the work of other maintenance personnel. Ability to set-up work zone safety and prepare traffic control work plans.
- Inspect, install, remove, and repair signal controls and auxiliary equipment such as light standards, control boxes, light fixtures, lamps, and circuitry; diagnose malfunctions; adjust and replace electronic and mechanical components.
- Inspect, install, remove and repair street lights and auxiliary equipment.
- Repair, replace or modify electric and electronic components, controllers, relays, switches, fuses, timers and other parts; design and construct special test equipment for shop testing of electronic components.
- Investigate complaints and reports of signal and traffic light malfunctions; adjust, repair or remove defective equipment; make field repairs of damaged equipment.
- Identify, locate and indicate with appropriate identification markers underground utilities (USA); respond to USA work orders within regulatory requirements; and document services accordingly.
- Be available for standby assignments in accordance with Department policies and procedures.
- Assist in the design of electrical circuits and systems for street lighting and traffic signals.
- Inspect the work of contractors during the course of construction and upon completion.
- Monitor traffic control computer and make adjustments as necessary.
The Traffic and Lighting Technician receives general direction from the Field Maintenance Manager and direct supervision from a Public Works Supervisor or higher level department staff and may exercise technical or functional direction over and provide work review to a Traffic Safety Worker or Maintenance Worker I/II.
For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Home/Index/86
Ideal Candidate
Who You Are
- You possess knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and practices used in the repair of electronic and mechanical devices; understanding and application of the MUTCD Code Book; work zone traffic control to mitigate hazards associated with working in streets and roadways; components and parts of electronic devices used in traffic control and street lights; the principles of electronics and electrical repairs; build, install and repair mechanical traffic control devices in including signs, poles, and fasteners; measure, mark and install lane striping, parking stalls, stop bars and other written street marks, using paint and or thermal plastic material; and mitigate occupational hazards and put in place standard safety precautions necessary in the work.
- You possess the ability to work with independence and to make decisions relative to work methods and tools; understand and interpret written and oral instructions, including blueprints and wiring diagrams; prepare simple reports, such as daily journal entries, work order close out, material procurement documents; use computers and handheld electronic devices in the course of work; ability to safely work at heights using ladders and various personnel lifting equipment; use and care for tools and equipment used in maintaining and repairing electronic and mechanical devices; work in emergency situations; and lead and assign others in traffic signal, street light and electrical maintenance functions.
What You Bring
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- Three years of skilled experience in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment, preferably some including experience in the maintenance of either traffic signal systems or street lights.
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented with technical courses in electrical or electronic maintenance.
- Must possess, and maintain, a valid California Driver's License on date of hire.
- Possession of, and ability to maintain, a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License is required within 12 months of employment.
- International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Traffic Signal Technician Certification Level II or ability to obtain one within 12 months of hire date and retain the certification while employed in this position, is desirable.
- Must be willing to work out of doors in all weather conditions and to work with exposure to heavy traffic and other hazards. Must be willing to work overtime and off-hours shifts in emergency situations.
Bonus Points (highly desirable)
- International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Traffic Signal Technician Certification Level II
- Class A Commercial Driver’s License
ADA Special Requirement: Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, stoop, reach, twist, climb, drive, and lift 50 pounds; exposure to cold, heat, outdoors, electric hazards, vibration and mechanical hazards.
Benefits
What We Offer
- Salary: $8,547 - $9,750 per month
- Comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave and health benefits
- CalPERS retirement (2% @ 55 for classic members; 2% @ 62 for new members). Classic employees contribute 8.23% to CalPERS and New members contribute 7.50% to CalPERS.
- Participation in the Social Security Program
- Deferred Compensation: City will contribute 1.0% and will match an additional 0.5% of base salary
- City contribution of 0.75% of base salary to Retirement Health Savings Account
- Free Fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation, Employee Assistance Program and Credit Union Membership
- Bilingual Diff: $195 monthly (if applicable)
- For more information, please refer to the SEIU Maintenance Unit benefit summary document.
Special Instructions
Are You Ready? Apply.
Submit an online application, résumé (recommended), and supplemental questionnaire at www.calopps.org or to the Human Resources Department, City of San Mateo, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, (650) 522-7260.
Application Deadline
Recruitment will be Open Until Filled and is subject to close at any time without notice. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The first review of applications is tentatively scheduled for April 3, 2026.
Interview Process
All applications, résumés (recommended) and supplemental questionnaires received will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. A fully completed application is required; a resume does not replace the information required on the employment application, including work history. Applications with "see résumé" as a substitution for the work experience description, those with none or unclear current/past employment information, or those with insufficient information to evaluate possession of minimum qualifications will not be considered; missing information cannot be assumed. A limited number of the most highly qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral panel interview, written exercise, or in the form of a practical demonstration of skill and ability, or any combination of these. A Zoom oral panel interview is tentatively scheduled for April 22, 2026.
An employment list will be established for those who pass the examination process. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain in effect for at least six months with the possibility of an extension for an additional six months. Once placed on an employment list, and at the time a vacancy occurs, eligible candidates may be contacted by the hiring department and scheduled for additional department interviews.
Date Posted – March 13, 2026
Note: The City of San Mateo reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process. ALL RESPONSES WILL BE CONDUCTED VIA THE EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED IN YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide an email address to which you have access, and it is recommended that you frequently check your email for notices from: sanmateo@CalOpps.org.
Fine Print
Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a driving record review, reference check, and a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint check. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. The policy of the City of San Mateo is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual preference, marital status, or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of San Mateo that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants requiring accommodations for any part of the testing or recruitment process must notify lcoles@cityofsanmateo.org or (650) 522-7264 seven (7) days in advance of the deadline for the part of the process requiring accommodations. Do not upload any documents related to your request for accommodation in CalOpps. The City of San Mateo complies with employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.