PRINCIPAL TRAFFIC INVESTIGATOR
Principal Traffic Investigator is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
The main requirement is 4 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $63,663 to $92,953, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Transportation.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Traffic Investigator appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Transportation. It is also used at one independent authority, New Jersey Transit Corporation.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | 1 |
Independent authorities
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| New Jersey Transit Corporation | 5 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $64,340. The agencies employing the most are:
- Transportation (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of a Supervisor, Traffic Investigations or other supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, organizes, plans, and reviews the work of traffic investigators; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Plans and directs the work of Traffic Investigators of varied grades in the field investigations relating to proposed traffic control plans.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- Reviews proposed traffic ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to determine conformance to sound traffic planning principles and prepares recommendations for their approval or disapproval; supervises the preparation of certifications of approvals.
- Develops model ordinances which include aspects of municipal traffic regulations.
- Reviews reports and recommendations, prepared by the traffic investigations staff for completeness and accuracy.
- Holds conferences with attorneys, officials, and municipal governing bodies and provides instructions concerning proper procedures and correct legal forms needed to obtain approval of ordinances pertaining to traffic control.
- Supervises the field investigations of traffic conditions, including those pertaining to the more complex traffic programs as required.
- Plans and conducts surveys of traffic, including through streets, one-way streets, parking practices, speed, and driver behavior practices.
- Assigns and supervises the investigation of the suitability, advantages, and limitations of existing and/or proposed traffic control and regulatory devices, equipment, systems, and procedures regarding their practicality and feasibility for specific situations; makes recommendations concerning their improvement and/or continued use.
- May be required to work with State and local government officials toward the alleviation of traffic problems.
- Prepares detailed correspondence.
- Supervises the preparation of and/or prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports of traffic conditions, problems, and plans containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in the area of traffic regulations, traffic investigation, and/or traffic control.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of traffic regulation and control problems.
- Knowledge of the varied types of devices, equipment, and methods used in traffic regulation and control systems and their advantages and limitations under varying conditions.
- Knowledge of the equipment, devices, and procedures used in performing traffic investigations, surveys, and studies, including studies of speed, driver behavior, parking, and other related studies.
- Knowledge of the techniques used to conduct traffic investigations, surveys, and studies, including studies of speed, driver behavior, parking, and other related studies.
- Knowledge of the New Jersey State Highway System with emphasis upon traffic regulation and traffic control problems.
- Knowledge of the standards established for traffic control devices as set forth in the Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways Manual.
- Knowledge of the purposes, policies, procedures, and standards of the department regarding traffic regulation and control.
- Knowledge of those portions of Title 39 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes and FHWA policies and procedures dealing with traffic regulations.
- Knowledge of statistical mathematics, methods, and practices.
- Ability to understand, analyze, and apply the New Jersey laws and the rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards of the Department of Transportation pertaining to traffic control and regulation.
- Ability to comprehend traffic control and regulatory problems in New Jersey.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with local and state government officials, FHWA officials, and with others interested in or concerned with traffic regulations, safety, and control.
- Ability to evaluate the suitability, advantages, and limitations of existing and/or proposed traffic control and regulatory devices, equipment, systems, and procedures regarding their practicality and feasibility for specific situations.
- Ability to conduct field visits, inspection, surveys, and studies involved in the investigation and analysis of traffic regulation and control problems.
- Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
- Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports of traffic control and regulation problems.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communications.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.