Sign Maintenance

Class code: 003677
Bargaining unit(s): 207
Classification title: Transportation Specialist
Function: Sign Maintenance
Kind of work: Senior level technical and/or specialized work, and/or lead worker.

Nature & purpose

Under general supervision an employee in this class oversees difficult technical sign maintenance planning activities; provides ongoing, daily work direction to a sign crew in the installation, repair, or fabrication of signs to maintain the operational status of the sign program; performs related work as required.

This level is different from the Transportation Generalist Senior in that at the Transportation Specialist level, employees plan and organize work based on deadlines, procedures, and standards. The employee determines what will be done, how it will be done, and continually improves work processes. The employee analyzes field conditions and proposes update(s) to the Traffic Engineer to conform to the standards in the Traffic Engineering Manual. At this level, an employee provides technical expertise and information in sign maintenance and installation to others.

An employee resolves most problems using theoretical principles and concepts of a specialized field as well as knowledge of and impact on MnDOT’s programs. The Transportation Specialist is considered the district technical expert in sign maintenance and installation and provides technical support and expertise to others. A Transportation Specialist is responsible for completing or leading multiple complex sign maintenance projects and/or work activities and has a substantial degree of authority in planning, organizing, and completing work. Some employees at this level may perform as lead worker having considerable freedom to organize human, equipment, material, and other resources as well as prioritize, schedule, assign, direct, guide, and report on the work activities of other state employees.

Examples of work

A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

Inspects the installation, repair, and removal of permanent signs and messages in accordance with traffic engineering plans and Traffic Engineering Manual.
Prepares District schedule of sign maintenance projects (sign graffiti, vegetation control, damaged signs, and improper sign installation), oversees schedule completion, and documents results.
Assists in signing scoping plan review and final signing plan design from MnDOT staff, consultants, State Aid, and Permits as the signing field technical expert.
Determines proper traffic control layout, performs traffic control, and/or develops traffic control concepts for Traffic Engineering approval to conform to the Traffic Control Field Manual to ensure maximum safety for employees and the traveling public.
Prepares detour concept plans for Traffic Engineer’s approval; and develops emergency and temporary signing concepts on detours, construction, and other emergency projects for the Traffic Engineer’s approval.
Coordinates approved speed limit changes by providing leadwork to ensure updates of pavement markings and signing conform to the traffic plan and Traffic Engineering Manual.
Oversees the ongoing and daily responsibility for equipment, materials, and other resources.
Installs or coordinates installation of message painting/taping and markers (snowplow, No Passing Zone) to ensure they conform with traffic engineering plans and TEM to ensure the safety of the motoring and pedestrian public.
Provides daily work direction to a sign crew in the fabrication of sign elements (applying speed limit number or route markers) to conform to specifications, traffic engineering plans, MN Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and the Traffic Engineering Manual.
Oversees Maintenance and Sign Maintenance Inventory System (Transportation Asset Management System) work orders, inspects completed work or assigns inspection, and closes out work orders for traffic modifications.
Oversees and/or conducts field and final inspections to ensure signs and pavement markings are working properly on construction projects or contracts, to ensure placement conforms to plans and Traffic Control Field Manual; and notifies the construction inspector and Traffic Engineer when inspections fail and directs staff or contractor on changes.
Analyzes, schedules, oversees, and inspects district utilities and documentation for staking sign locations by contacting Gopher State One Call, completing on-line form, and initiating the refresh process to ensure no utilities are damaged during sign installation.
Oversees inventory using a sign management software system (Transportation Asset Management System) so inventory is accurate, material is in stock, and/or on order; runs asset management reports for decision making.
Creates, updates, and archives as-built plans and current field sign conditions in TAMS by coordinating with District staff.
Serves as District representative on statewide committees.
Provides technical assistance to construction inspectors in the field to verify construction conforms to MnDOT traffic engineering plans and specifications.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required to be proficient at the job

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of signing operations, sign repair procedures, sign standards, and/or pavement marking procedures.
MN Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Traffic Engineering Manual and Traffic Control Field Manual.
Knowledge of proper installation procedures for safe work conditions.
Experience with inventory management and database systems sufficient to manage inventory, run reports, and analyze information to make proper purchase/disposal decisions.
Electrical Services Section and Gopher State One Call protocols and cable location procedures.
Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two- way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Skill in:

Using basic hand tools to handle materials (transport, stockpile, and mix).

Ability to:

Equipment - Perform routine scheduled maintenance; calibrate, set up and adjust equipment; and transfers and operates the full range of MnDOT heavy equipment.
Information Technology – Operate a personal computer and various software applications, such as TAMS, to create, edit, and verify data files used to generate e-mails, memos, timesheets, spreadsheets, presentations, and reports.
Interpersonal - Work cooperatively with peers. Ability to receive verbal instruction and direction.
Leadership – Oversee the quality and timeliness of work as demonstrated by completing assigned tasks, reporting work progress, and demonstrating behavior consistent with department directions; lead crews as demonstrated by functioning as a team leader.
Math - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers and all units of measure including fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Oral Communication - Clearly express technical job-related concepts in lay terms for MnDOT customers, stakeholders, and co-workers. Communicate respectfully in a team setting.
Problem Solving – Follow verbal instructions and work under the direction of others sufficient to complete work assignments; work independently and solve non-routine technical, process or people related problems to complete work tasks.
Reading - Comprehend and interpret technical information for MnDOT customers, stakeholders, and co-workers in notes, letters, memos, electronic mail (Outlook), white papers, proposals, departmental forms, instructional manuals, and highway plans.
Written Communication - Communicate respectfully with MnDOT customers, stakeholders, and co-workers by responding to questions/complaints regarding Traffic Engineering activities using Outlook and other computer applications.
Technical – Determine proper traffic control layout, perform traffic control, and/or draft traffic control concepts to conform to the Traffic Control Field Manual. Inspect the installation, repair, and removal of permanent signs and messages to conform with traffic engineering plans and the Traffic Engineering Manual. Oversee inventory so it is accurate, material is in stock, and/or on order.

Licenses, Certifications:

Some positions may require a driver’s license, as well as endorsements, specific to position demands and/or equipment required to perform the job within the work area posted.

Technical certifications may be required specific to position demands and will be documented on the posting as to the justification of why specific certifications are necessary.

Class A Commercial Driver’s License with no Air Brake restriction.
Some positions may require TAPE Certifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

Includes years of experience, education, and training required at the time of application to be considered eligible for the vacancy. The level of experience to perform this job at the TS level can be achieved with:

Four years of experience performing sign operations (e.g. sign repair and installation, sign fabrication, message painting, etc.);

Three years of experience performing sign operations and one year of experience performing a combination of any of the following: sign installation and maintenance, roadway, roadside or bridge maintenance, driving commercial vehicles, operating heavy equipment, farm experience, snow plow operations, road construction, construction inspection, permits, materials/soils testing, etc.
Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Physical capabilities and environmental work conditions:

The physical demands of this job will vary, but typically requires lifting up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects and/or tools weighing 50-pounds. This job also may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls. This job will require strenuous manual labor including but not limited to digging, shoveling, hauling, crawling, bending, pushing, pulling and climbing.

Weather elements:

May require frequent exposure to weather elements (both hot and cold) on a daily basis.

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