Salary : $42,475.00 - $63,920.00 Annually
Location : Town Hall, Chapel Hill, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27-02050
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Max Number of Applicants: 100
Summary
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described here.Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned that are not specifically spelled out in this job description, but which may be reasonably considered to require similar knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Summary of Position:
The purpose of these positions is to regulate and provide signs, pavement marking installation and maintain traffic control. Must be available to work occasional special events and in inclement weather. May be scheduled to work shifts up to 12 hours during inclement weather or event response.
Salary Range: Sign & Marking Tech I -$42,475 - $$55,217
Sign & Marking Tech II - $46,828 - $61,336
Sign & Marking Tech III -$49,170 - $63,921
This positions are designated safety sensitive and driving- essential. THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Essential Functions
What you can expect to be doing (Essential Functions):
Signs & Markings Technician I - Entry-Level
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) to apply the guidelines to all signage and pavement markings.
- Install, maintain, repair, and remove signs and posts along with basic regulatory, warning, and guide signs with supervision.
- Help install routine or new pavement markings, such as crosswalks, parking tees, and stop bars.
- Support work zone safety and traffic control operations by setting up work zones for events, maintenance, or closures.
- Assist in designing and fabricating signs, including street name signs, parking signs, and other departmental requests.
- Perform routine equipment and vehicle cleaning/maintenance with supervision.
- Maintain daily/weekly work logs and contribute to inventory tracking.
- Request locates through utilities as directed, operate various hand tools, and drive all Sign Shop vehicles with supervision as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned under close supervision
Signs & Markings Technician II -Experienced
- Intermediate knowledge and understanding of the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) to apply the guidelines to all signage and pavement markings.
- With some supervision, lay out, install, and remove pavement markings (e.g., thermoplastic, specialty markings).
- Demonstrates the ability to design and fabricate specialized or custom signage using computer software, traffic sign plotter, and printer.
- Interpret engineer requests or work orders with limited guidance.
- With some supervision, perform advanced sign installations: breakaway posts, larger assemblies, multi-sign installations in accordance with both Town and NCDOT standards and guidelines.
- Ability to identify maintenance issues with signs and markings and effectively communicate necessary repairs to the Sign Shop supervisor.
- With some supervision, maintain and track inventory of sign materials and shop supplies
- Input data for daily/weekly maintenance work logs, maintain sign shop equipment, and keep assigned vehicle(s) clean.
- Communicate effectively with residents, contractors, and other agencies regarding signage or pavement-marking issues.
- Demonstrates some knowledge of reviewing plans and assisting contractors with interpreting the Town's ordinances and standards.
- Call in utility locates for signage installation and operate various hand tools.
- Periodically assist the traffic signal technicians with minor installations as assigned
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Signs and Markings Technician III - Highly Experienced
- Knowledge and understanding of the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) to apply the guidelines to traffic control and the installation of signage, pavement markings, and traffic control devices.
- Performs advanced sign fabrication duties using a sign graphics system on a computer, a traffic sign plotter, and printer without supervision.
- Performs quality review of other technician's maintenance log entries; help train lower-level technicians.
- In lieu of the supervisor, lead the layout and implementation of work zone traffic control and complex special-event traffic plans, including device deployment.
- Without supervision, ability to interpret assigned work orders, review plans and assist contractors with interpreting the Town's ordinances and standards for signs and pavement markings.
- Effective communication with the Sign Shop supervisor, residents, other Town departments, NCDOT, and contractors at a higher decision-making level.
- Perform specialized tasks such as thermoplastic installation, modular median and tubular marker installation, and assisting the signal shop as requested.
- Perform advanced sign installations: breakaway posts, larger assemblies, multi-sign installations in accordance with both Town and NCDOT standards and guidelines.
- Call-in locates for signage installation and operate various hand tools.
- In lieu of the sign shop supervisor, perform emergency response tasks during storms, outages, or stop/yield sign knockdowns.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Do you supervise or not?
Work may require the occasional direction of interns or Program Support employees.
What are the physical demands?
The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and must be able to distinguish between shades of color.
Where and how do you work?
The work is performed both indoors and outdoors, where the employee may be exposed to machinery with moving parts and occasional inclement weather. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, or gloves.
Minimum Qualifications
What do you need to know to do this job effectively?
Knowledge of
- Understanding of Town policies and ordinances related to the installation and maintenance of signs
- The Town's geography
- Awareness of legal, liability, and safety considerations for signs, pavement markings, and traffic control devices
- Skills in detailed sign design and fabrication, including thermoplastic application, sign rolling, and post pulling
- Experience operating a bucket truck and using various hand tools
- Proficiency in mathematics and accurate measurement techniques
Ability to
- Read and interpret plans, ordinances, standards, and technical manuals
- Lay out pavement markings and signs in the field based on engineering or construction plans, drawings, and schematics
- Create appropriate signage based on requests and operational needs
- Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills
- Consistently demonstrates behaviors aligned with our core value of RESPECT.
What education and/or experience do you need to be considered for this job?
Education
High school diploma or equivalency is required.
Experience
- Sign and Marking Technician I: 1 year of experience.
- Sign and Marking Technician II: 3 years of experience.
- Sign and Marking Technician III: 4 years of experience.
What are the safety considerations for this job?
- These positions are designated safety sensitive and driving- essential.
- You will be subject to the policy.
- You will be subject to the Policy.
Other relevant information about the position:
All Levels:
- A valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina or the ability to readily obtain one.
- Successful completion of Work Zone Traffic Control course and the IMSA Signs and Pavement Markings Technician I Certification within 6 months of hire.
Supplemental Information
Sign and Marking Technician II-III:
- IMSA Signs and Pavement Markings Technician Level II Certification
- These positions are designated as non-exempt and subject to FLSA overtime rules.
The Town of Chapel Hill has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Chapel Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
The Town of Chapel Hill offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to regular full time and part time employees.
Health and Dental Insurance
Health and dental insurance are effective the first day of employment. The town will provide full-time employees group medical and dental insurance including family coverage. Employees and the town will share equally in the additional cost of the medical plan for dependent coverage if employees desire to purchase such coverage for family members. Employees are responsible for the full cost of dependent dental insurance.
Retirement Health Savings Plan
Employees hired after June 30, 2010, in a regular full-time or regular part- time position are required to participate in the Retirement Health Savings Plan. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 1%.
Paid Time Off
- Vacation/Annual Leave: Employees in regular full or part time positions earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon length of Town service.
- Sick Leave: Employees in full or part time regular positions earn 12 days per year.
- Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees receive 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave after birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from Employee's leave bank.
- Paid Holidays: There are 12 official Town holidays. Employees in full or part time regular positions are eligible for paid holiday time.
- Personal Leave: All employees in full or part time regular positions are granted 3 days of personal leave per year. This leave is non-cumulative
Local Government Retirement System
All employees in regular full or part time position are required to contribute to the retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.
Supplemental Retirement Plans
- NC 401(k)-The Town makes a contribution of 5% to the 401(k) for all regular full and part time employees. There is no employee match required. Employees have the option of making contributions on a pre or post tax basis. The plan is administered by Empower.
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Town of Chapel Hill employees have the option of making contributions to a 457. The Town does not make contributions to this plan. The plan is administered by MissionSquare.
Disability Insurance
- Town Provided: The Town provides both short term and long term disability insurance to all regular full or part time employees. The plan will pay up to 50% of the employee's base income up to $462 per week for non-job related injuries.
- Voluntary Short Term Disability: Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental disability insurance. This plan will pay employees a maximum of 25% of their base weekly earnings up to $400.
Life Insurance
The Town provides full and part time regular employees with an individual term life insurance policy. Employees have the option of purchasing additional life insurance for a small fee. Dependent life insurance is also available.
Direct Deposit
All employees hired after July 1, 2007 are required to have direct deposit.
Other Benefits
- Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Chapel Hill are eligible to open accounts at Civic Federal Credit Union.
- Parking is provided free of charge at or near worksites
- Annual longevity payment beginning with the 5th year of full or part time regular employment
- Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period
- Town has a Housing Assistance Program that assists employees secure housing in Town see the following https://www.chapelhillaffordablehousing.org/employee-housing