Job Details

City of Portland - Public Works Senior Supervisor - Traffic

Public Works Department 

Are you a proven leader with a knack for keeping a city moving? We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking senior supervisor to guide our dedicated crews in maintaining and modernizing our city's vital infrastructure.

In this pivotal role, you will lead hands-on construction, maintenance, and repair initiatives that directly impact the daily lives of our residents and visitors. While your leadership will occasionally support diverse city-wide efforts---ranging from sidewalk restoration and street sweeping to sewer repairs and downtown district upkeep---your primary focus will be leading our critical Traffic Operations team. You will be the driving force behind the installation, timing, and maintenance of our traffic signals, street lighting networks, pavement markings, and roadway signage.

If you are ready to take ownership of high-visibility municipal projects, champion a culture of safety, and leave a lasting mark on our city's infrastructure, we want to hear from you.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Organize and assign daily work orders based on shifting municipal priorities; manage the on-call rotational schedule to ensure 24/7 emergency coverage.
  
• Inspect maintenance work in progress and upon completion to guarantee compliance with city standards.
  
• Orient and onboard new team members. Provide hands-on instruction regarding equipment operation and strict safety regulations (including work zone safety, Dig Safe protocols, and proper PPE utility).
  
• Investigate and document vehicular accidents or safety incidents within the assigned area of responsibility.
  
• Oversee the installation, operation, diagnostic troubleshooting, and repair of the City's traffic infrastructure, including traffic signals, Rapid Flashing beacons, traffic counters, and radar speed units.
  
• Manage the maintenance and repair of municipal streetlights; perform advanced diagnostic analysis to resolve complex electrical issues.
  
• Serve as the primary point of contact with Central Maine Power (CMP) to coordinate high-voltage, lineman-required work safely.
  
• Attend monthly IT and vendor briefings to stay current on streetlight management software, traffic operations applications, and smart-city software updates.
  
• Direct internal crews and external contractors managing street line striping. Oversee the fabrication, placement, and repair of all traffic control and informational street signs.
  
• Monitor inventory levels, order parts, and requisition tools or supplies to eliminate project delays.
  
• Performs related work as required.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Must possess a valid State of Maine Class B Motor Vehicle Operator's license and must have and maintain a good driving record. 
  
• Must pass federally mandated drug test and will be susceptible to random drug testing.
  
• Knowledge of ability to acquire specialized knowledge of specific operational and maintenance requirements as job assignment requires.
  
• Considerable knowledge of effective supervisory techniques with ability to plan and assign work and supervise skilled and semi-skilled workers.
  
• Ability to make accurate estimates of time and materials required for repair and maintenance work.
  
• Working knowledge of accident investigation and reporting.
  
• Understanding of maintenance practices and the proper use of work orders, priorities and scheduling, including City Works Work Order system.
  
• Knowledge and proficiency in the use of street light management software, such as Streetman or other traffic operations related software.
  
• Ability to understand, interpret and effectively carry out written and oral instructions.
  
• Basic knowledge and ability to operate a computer to include Google Suite and ability to keep records and make reports.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, private sector contractors, City departments, supervisors and employees to effectively obtain satisfactory work output.
  

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Graduation from a standard high school or trade school; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
  
• Considerable experience in traffic operations, including experience in a supervisory capacity; some electrical background and knowledge of electrical components and parts.
  

Applications accepted until Friday, October 16, 2026. 
Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a union position, SUPERVISORS (Grade 28), with a starting pay range of $27.94-$32.97 per hour, based on relevant years of experience. 

For more information about compensation with the City of Portland, please refer to the union specific pay plans and agreements.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.
City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
  
• Thirteen paid holidays
  
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
  
• Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
  
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
  
• Fitness Reimbursement
  
• Use of City recreation facilities
  
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College
  

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

To apply, visit: https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=283&sreq=6&form=1000&desc=PUBLIC%20WORKS%20SENIOR%20SUPERVISOR%20-%20TRAFFIC%20DIVISION