PROJECT ENGINEER, TRAFFIC

Code: 11296 State Competitive Range: S29 (FY 2027)

Salary: $95,955.4 - $141,386.2/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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 direction of a Supervising Highway Engineer 2, Traffic or other supervisory officer in the Department of Transportation, supervises the work programs and staff of a unit; performs related work as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises the work programs and engineering and technical staff of a unit engaged in one of the phases of traffic engineering.
• Coordinates the work of the assigned group or unit with that of other groups or units, and cooperates with other department units as required.
• Plans, organizes, and supervises investigations, surveys, and statistical and engineering studies to determine the need for traffic control devices on state highways.
• Prepares recommendations for the specific type, design, and layout of traffic signals, signs, or markings when these devices are found to be warranted.
• Confers with state and local government officials and others regarding the installation and operation of traffic control devices.
• Supervises the investigation of complaints concerning traffic control devices, and prepares recommendations for alterations and additions where required.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, disciplining, and/or training of employees.
• Supervises the preparation and processing of traffic regulations including the establishment of no passing, no parking, and speed zones.
• Supervises the study and analysis of traffic accident data and the preparation of records and charts presenting such data in a succinct, informative manner.
• Supervises the review and preparation of reports on proposed legislation affecting the department, highways, and the use and regulation of motor vehicles.
• Supervises staff engaged in making engineering determinations that take into account the details of deversified factors which include social, economic, safety, and environmental aspects.
• Supervises the preparation and interpretation of computer data related to individual traffic engineering projects.
• Supervises the development of inhouse engineering-oriented programming, and utilizes computer applications in engineering problem solving.
• Periodically reviews traffic control devices on the state highway system to ensure compliance with Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and current department standards.
• Supervises the review of plans and specifications of construction contracts for adequacy of traffic engineering features.
• Acts as advisor to the design engineers in matters related to signs, signals, and/or traffic control markings.
• Acts as a department representative on committees and other professional or technical groups concerned with traffic engineering.
• Prepares correspondence as required in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, and comprehensive engineering and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential traffic engineering records and files.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in engineering.

Experience

Four (4) years of traffic engineering experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointee 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 social, economic, environmental, and safety engineering considerations.
• Knowledge of the capabilities and applications of computers in engineering situations and projects.
• Knowledge of the procedures and techniques of modern traffic engineering.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the standards established for traffic control devices as set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the state highway system with particular emphasis upon traffic and traffic control problems.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the purposes, policies, procedures, and standards of the department with regard to traffic control devices.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of those portions of Chapter 4 of Title 39 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes dealing with traffic control devices, traffic operations, and traffic regulations.
• Ability to organize assigned technical engineering work, analyze traffic engineering and control problems, and develop appropriate work methods.
• Ability to assign and instruct employees, effectively preparing and/or overseeing their performance appraisal.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with local and state government officials, and with others interested in or concerned with traffic control, traffic safety, and operation.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and apply basic law and deparment regulations pertaining to highway traffic regulation and control.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports dealing with traffic engineering and related matters.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files.
• Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform 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.
• <b>NOTE: FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY</b>
• Employees hired by the Department of Transportation on or before July 1, 1999, who do not possess the Bachelor's degree listed above, may substitute education and experience as indicated below to meet the education requirements.
• EDUCATION
• An Associate's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology.
• OR
• Completion of forty-five (45) semester hour credits of specialized college level/non-remedial engineering education from an accredited college in an engineering or engineering technology program. Acceptable specialized education must include a minimum of 24 credits in Engineering/Engineering Science and a minimum of 21 credits in general science and higher-level math course. Information regarding acceptable courses may be obtained from DOT/Human Resources.
• You must attach a copy of your transcript(s) to your application. Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service. Failure to do so will result in rejection from the examination process.
• AND
• Three and one half (3 ') years of full time experience in engineering related work.
• Applicants who have more that the required forty-five (45) engineering related credits may substitute additional credits for the required experience on a pro-rated basis, thirty (30) credits equaling one (1) year of experience, up to a maximum of two and one half (2 ') years.
• CODE: S29 - JMR 03/17/92

Note

A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology (BSET) in a field related to civil engineering from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) meets the above education requirement.

Possession of a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in engineering.

Possession of a Master's degree in any engineering field relating to highway engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the nonsupervisory experience.