Entry Level Traffic Control Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Description Prioritize your health and wellbeing. Work for Jefferson County and take advantage of six month's worth of vacation and sick leave upfront and low-cost family health insurance. Enjoy work-life balance.

First application review date 06/15/2026 Entry Level - Will Train Summary The Traffic Control & Sign Technician is responsible for drafting plans, establishing and maintaining safe work zone traffic control for County Road operations and installing, maintaining, and repairing roadway signs and traffic control devices throughout the County Road system. This position serves as the lead flagger during road maintenance and construction activities and supports the inspection, installation, and replacement of traffic signs in compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This position also leads and coordinates the annual County roadway striping program.

Under supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled labor in the construction, maintenance, and repair of county roads, bridges, culverts and other related structures including rock crusher. Operates a variety of construction and light vehicle equipment. Distinguishing Characteristics Works under the general supervision of the Public Works Director or Public Works Supervisor and may report for daily work assignments to a RT I, II, RT III-Team Leader or Road Foreman.

While supervising other staff is not a responsibility of this class, this position provides direction to employees or temporary workers assigned to flagging duties. The Traffic Control & Sign Technician concentrates on general labor and use of hand tools and lighter duty trucks and equipment and is not required to obtain a commercial driver's license. Essential Duties Traffic Control Serve as lead flagger for County Road maintenance and construction projects, including drafting traffic control plans to be used for each project.

Set up, maintain, and remove temporary traffic control devices including cones, barricades, signs, and flagging stations. Ensure work zones comply with MUTCD standards, the Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook, and established safety practices. Coordinate traffic control activities with Supervisor, road crews and equipment operators.

Monitor traffic flow and adjust traffic control setups as needed to ensure safety. Traffic Sign Installation and Maintenance Install, repair, and replace regulatory, warning, and guide signs on County roads. Set signposts, install hardware, and mount traffic signs.

Inspect roadway signs for damage, visibility issues, or vandalism and perform repairs or replacement as needed. Assist with fabrication or preparation of signs. Work Zone Support Transport traffic control equipment and signage to and from job sites.

Maintain traffic control equipment in safe working conditions. Pavement Markings and Striping Coordination Paint and maintain pavement markings, including stop bars, crosswalks, bike symbols, school zones, railroad crossings, and other roadway markings in accordance with MUTCD standards. Install and maintain raised pavement markers (RPMs) as required.

Assist pavement marking operations by providing traffic control support to ensure the safety of both the crew and the public. Lead the annual County striping program, including: Conducting field reviews to assess roadway striping conditions across the County system. Developing and maintaining an inventory of striping needs, including prioritization of roads based on condition, traffic volume, and safety considerations.

Coordinating with contracted agencies or neighboring jurisdictions to schedule and complete striping work. Assisting in the development of project scopes, quantities, and cost estimates for striping work. Monitoring contractor performance and ensuring work meets applicable standards and specifications.

Inventory and Materials Management Maintain inventory of traffic signs, pavement marking materials, and traffic control devices. Prepare material orders; receive, organize, and store supplies. Assist in developing bid documents and specifications for materials and contracted services.

Track quantities, sizes, and standards for signs and pavement markings. Coordinate with staff to determine materials and supplies needed. Perform minor maintenance on traffic control and sign installation equipment.

Road Crew Support Assist road crews with basic roadway maintenance activities when traffic control duties are not required. Perform heavy manual labor, digging ditches, asphalt patching and paving, chip sealing, asphalt crack sealing, concrete placement, cleaning and installing culverts, cutting and burning brush and trees, spraying weeds, removing obstacles from roadway and adjacent areas, hand loading and unloading all types of materials into trucks. Work at the rock crusher under supervision, performing assigned duties All duties will be performed with appropriate PPE and in compliance with safety requirements.

Complete routine manual work preparing and repairing guardrails, fences, signposts, and mailboxes. May operate a variety of medium to large equipment. Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position. Documentation and Compliance Maintain records of sign inventory, installations, replacements, and work zone setups. Follow County safety policies and procedures.

Ensure all work meets federal, state, and local traffic control standards. Qualifications Knowledge and Skills Knowledge of operation and maintenance requirements of trucks and less complex power-driven equipment. Familiar with materials, methods, practices and equipment used in road, bridge and culvert maintenance.

Understanding of traffic laws and rules involved in light vehicle, truck and equipment operations including traffic control operations. Knowledge of MUTCD standards and work zone safety practices. Abilities Ability to operate light trucks and basic equipment used in traffic control and sign installation.

Ability to understand, interpret and apply pertinent laws, codes and regulations. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled construction, maintenance and repair work.

Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods in adverse weather conditions. Operate a variety of vehicles and stationary mechanical equipment. Perform minor maintenance on assigned equipment.

Learn the geography and road system of the county. Follow established safe work rules and practices. Ability to form and maintain effective, cohesive relationships with leadership, employees, elected officials and the public.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Work effectively in emergency and stressful situations. Physical Abilities Ability to stand for extended periods while directing traffic.

Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions. Ability to work near moving traffic and heavy equipment. Physical strength and ability to sufficiently perform work to the class, sufficient manual dexterity to develop skill in the use and care of the tools, equipment and materials employed at work.

Ability to pass a post offer physical capacity test and be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Must take and pass a drug and alcohol test prior to employment, follow all Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements, and submit to all random drug and alcohol tests. Must be able to perform manual and equipment operation work for extended periods under adverse conditions.

Education and Experience High school graduation or equivalent required. Experience in roadway maintenance, traffic control, or sign installation. Experience working for a traffic control company, or in a public works/road department preferred.

Experience in the operation of a variety of road construction equipment, such as light trucks, asphalt patching trucks, air compressor, power brooms, static/vibratory rollers, wheel loaders, three axle trucks with trailers, backhoes and related equipment, pickup trucks and utility vehicles, traffic control devices (e.g., cones, signs, barricades), hand tools and post-driving equipment, radios and communication devices preferred. Licenses and Certificates Must have a valid Oregon Driver's License with an acceptable driving record. Must currently have or be able to obtain a First-Aid Card and Certified Flagger's Card within the first nine months of employment

Must currently have or be able to obtain work zone traffic control certification (such as ATSSA or equivalent) within the first 18 months of employment. Supplemental Information Working Conditions Work is performed indoors and outdoors under adverse weather conditions where some safety considerations exist from physical labor and handling of awkward materials above 50 pounds. May be called in to work outside normal business hours any day of the week based on the emergent needs of the County.

Probationary Requirement This position is based on the successful completion of a nine-month probationary period. Benefits Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical, with Vision and Dental coverage - low-deductible plan with low premium for employee + family Deductible: $200 single / $600 family Employee monthly premium (Single, Married or Family coverage) $149.08 (July 2026 - July 2027 rates) VEBA HRA Account - $1,000 annual employer contribution Vacation Leave - option to front-load 6 months of vacation leave on start date Length of Service Hours per Month Days per Year (based on 8 hr/day) First 2 Years (0-24 Months) 9.34 14.0 2 Years (25-48 Months) 11.0 16.5 4 Years (49-72 Months) 12.67 19.0 6 Years (73-96 Months) 14.34 21.5 8 years (97-120 Months) 16.0 24.0 10 Years (121-144 Months) 16.67 25.0 12+ Years (145+ Months) 17.34 26.0 Sick Leave - 8 hours per month (option to front-load 6 months of vacation leave on start date) 11 Paid Holidays, plus Christmas Eve Day holiday when Dec 24th falls on Monday-Thursday Oregon PERS Retirement (employer/employee participation varies) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 457(b) Deferred Comp Plans Available Supplemental Insurance Plans (Life, Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, Dental, Hospital, and Vision) Flexible Spending Plans (FSA) - healthcare and dependent care Discounted Air Ambulance membership available Life Insurance, up to $40,000 employer paid: $20,000 if enrolled in LIUNA health plan. An additional $20,000 policy from Mutual of Omaha for the 2026 calendar year; continuation of this policy is an annual decision by the Board of County Commissioners.