Cold Header Machine Operator Jobs in Columbus, GA

Salary: $17.05 Hourly
Location : Columbus, GA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 2026-00000280
Department: Engineering
Division: Traffic Engineering
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Major Duties and Responsibilities
This position performs technical duties in the installation, repair, and maintenance of traffic signals.

• Installs, maintains, and repairs cabinet controllers, conflict monitors, detector systems, support poles, and overhead equipment.
• Installs and repairs traffic signal equipment; performs preventative maintenance on all traffic control devices and related equipment.
• Inspects vehicles and equipment for daily operation.
• Performs complex field and bench repairs on electronic, mechanical, and solid-state traffic signal control equipment.
• Operates and interprets readings from oscilloscopes, VOM, VTVM meters, and other diagnostic test equipment.
• Performs emergency repairs after normal duty hours.
• Programs timing data into master and local controllers.
• Operates aerial lift equipment vehicle.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the installation, maintenance, and repair of traffic control devices.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of traffic signal construction and electronic microprocessor equipment repair.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of directing traffic.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and job related software programs.
• Skill in the operation of aerial lift equipment.
• Skill in problem solving and decision making.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Minimum Educational and Training Requirements
Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the occupational field, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license for the type of vehicle for equipment operated.
Physical Requirements
The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while standing or walking. The employee frequently lifts light and occasionally heavy objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and must be able to distinguish between shades of color. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing - maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Feeling - perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Grasping - applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling - picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 - perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 - receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting - raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Manual Dexterity - picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Pushing - use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching - extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking - expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Stooping - bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Talking 2 - shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

The work is typically performed in an office or in the field. The employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, and machinery with moving parts. Work may be performed outdoors and occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee must work in the vicinity of moving traffic.
The Columbus Consolidated Government (CCG) full-time regular employees are eligible for benefits after thirty (30) days of regular full-time employment.
Deferred Compensation - Deferred Compensation, under IRS Code 457, is a tax-deferred supplemental retirement program that allows public employees to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to a retirement account. The government's aim in establishing these tax-favored plans is to encourage workers to build their own financial security in
Shirley Mathis
Employee Services Manager
anticipation of retirement. You are eligible to enroll in the Deferred Compensation Plans from the first day of your employment.
For more information on deferred compensation, check out the following
http://www.gwrs.com/gwrs/static/guests/index.html) (plan#: 98457-01)
http://www.aigvalic.com/valic2000/valicweb.nsf
http://www.nrsforu.com
LONG TERM DISABILITY - To qualify for disability retirement, an employee must be certified disabled by the Social Security Administration. There is no service or age requirement.
Employee must have separated employment before he can apply for disability with the Social Security Administration. Also, there is a five (5) month waiting period before he is eligible to receive any benefits from Social Security.
The disability retirement date is established by the Social Security Administration. If approved, the employee is entitled to 60% of his average monthly earnings based on the last 60 months prior to his becoming disabled. The benefit amount shall vary pending on the date the (SSA) declares the employee disabled. This amount is reduced by any amount he receives from SSA, regular City pension and any federal disability he was already receiving when he came to work for the City. Also, it is reduced by any amount he may be receiving from Worker's compensation.
VACATION LEAVE - Vacation leave is paid time off work for vacations and other personal use. Employees begin earning vacation time as soon as they begin working for the Columbus Consolidated Government.
Vacation time is accrued on a bi-weekly basis.
Less than 10 years service 10 Days
10 to 15 years of service 15 Days
15 to 20 years of service 20 Days
The accrual rate for bi-weekly employees.
Less than 10 years of service .38 Days
10 to 15 years of service .58 Days
15 to 20 years of Service .77 Days
SICK LEAVE - Sick leave is paid time off from work due to your illness or the illness of a member of your immediate family.
The accrual rate for sick time bi-weekly.
No matter years of service .50 Days.
All employees accrue thirteen (13) sick days per year.
When you have accrued more than thirty (30) days in your sick base, if approved by Columbus Council, you will be paid 1/4 of a day, not to exceed 13 days.
The minimum days allowed for sick usage is ninety (90) days, sixty (60) days held in reserve and thirty (30) days in your base.
PAID HOLIDAYS - The Columbus Consolidated Government observes nine (9) paid holidays each year:
New Year's Day Thanksgiving Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday Day After Thanksgiving
Memorial Day Christmas Day
Independence Day Floating Holiday
Labor Day
PUBLIC SAFETY PENSION PLAN - An employee becomes eligible to participate in the Pension Plan effective on his/her date of employment. The City contributes 100% in the Pension Plan for the employee.
EARLY RETIREMENT: To qualify for early retirement, an employee must be fifty (50) years of age with twenty (20) years of services.
NORMAL RETIREMENT: To qualify for normal retirement, an employee must be sixty-five (65) years of age with five (5) years of service. (Maximum Service years allowed 30)
VESTED RETIREMENT: To qualify for vested retirement, an employee must complete at least five (5) years of creditable service payable at age 65.
UNREDUCED RETIREMENT: To qualify for unreduced retirement, an employee must have completed twenty (20) years of creditable service upon his date of termination. You may request to receive unreduced payments on the first day of any month after the date at which you reach age fifty-five (55) and would have completed twenty-five (25) years of creditable service.
DISABILITY RETIREMENT: To qualify for disability retirement an employee must be certified by the Social Security Administration. There are no service or age requirements.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT PENSION PLAN - An employee becomes eligible to participate in the Pension Plan effective on his/her date of employment. The City contributes 100% in the Pension Plan for the Employee.
EARLY RETIREMENT: To qualify for early retirement, an employee must be fifty-five (55) years of age with fifteen (15) years of services.
NORMAL RETIREMENT: To qualify for normal retirement, an employee must be sixty-five (65) years of age with five (5) years of service. (Maximum Service years allowed 30).
VESTED RETIREMENT: To qualify for vested retirement, an employee must complete at least five (5) years of creditable service payable at age 65.
DISABILITY RETIREMENT: To qualify for disability retirement, an employee must be certified by the Social Security Administration. There are no service or age requirements.
CREDIT UNION - You are eligible to join the TIC Federal Credit Union on your first day of employment. The Credit Union offers a variety of services to members including checking and savings accounts and personal loans. To enroll, contact the Credit Union directly at 706-320-8500. For more information go to: http://www.ticfcu.com/
DIRECT DEPOSIT - The Columbus Consolidated Government utilizes Direct Deposit of payroll checks as a safe, convenient way of handling employee paychecks. On payday your weekly or bi-weekly pay will automatically be deposited in the bank account of your choice. That day you will receive a "stub" (statement) which details your earning, deductions, etc. Your funds are immediately available to you.
Employee Assistance Program - Did you know that the City of Columbus has an Employee Assistance Program in place for you?
01
Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02
Which best describes your level of education? (You will be asked to provide documentation)

• No High School Diploma
• GED
• High School Diploma
• Technical College
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate's Degree

03
Do you possess a valid Commercial Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

04
Please list and explain any work experience you have with the installation and repairs of traffic signal equipment.
05
Please list and explain any work experience you have with the performance of preventative maintenance on all traffic control devices and related equipment.
06
How many years of work experience do you have as a Traffic Signal Technician or related?

• None
• 0-1 Year
• 1-2 Years
• 3-5 Years
• 5 Years or more

07
This position requires technicians to be on call, do you have a problem with on-call?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you have any electronic, programming experience? If so, please explain.
09
Do you have any work experience with the principles and practices of maintaining and repairing traffic signals? If so, please explain.
10
Please list and explain any work experience you have with the operation of such equipment as an aerial lift.
11
Please list and explain an work experience you have with problem solving and decision making.
Required Question