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Mobility and Traffic Safety Asst. Deputy Director

Job Req ID: 1016

Division: Mobility, Safety &Asset Mgmt

Salary Range: $224,744.00 to $224,744.00

Job Type: Unclassified

Business Area: Transportation

Personnel Area: Transportation

Closing Date: 10/19/2026

Under the direction of the Deputy Director, one Assistant Deputy Director will oversee and manage the Mobility and Traffic Safety section of the Transportation Department’s (Department) Engineering, Asset Management, and Parking Division (Division). The Assistant Deputy Director provides management and oversight of multiple multidisciplinary teams of engineers, planners, GIS professionals, and engineering support staff responsible for several of the Department’s major transportation programs.

The Mobility and Traffic Safety Asst. Deputy Director oversees the City’s multimodal and traffic safety programs, with a primary work location at 8525 Gibbs Drive, San Diego, CA 92123. Responsibilities include providing strategic direction and oversight for bicycle and pedestrian improvements; traffic safety programs and studies; transportation data and analysis; transportation asset management; parking and curb management; and the development and prioritization of transportation projects and initiatives.

This position is responsible for managing and ensuring the efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and resources; standardizing procedures to improve operating efficiencies; developing, supervising, and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; addressing personnel matters including hiring, onboarding, and retention for the Division staff; and ensuring the Division meets or exceeds all performance metrics and customer service standards.

This position will manage and oversee various engineering sections with approximately 50 full-time equivalent employees and the equivalent operating budget for these staff. Section employees may be diverse in their backgrounds and functions, including staff that perform field operations, engineers/planners, and administrative or fiscal staff. The Assistant Deputy Director will need to possess the ability to manage all aspects of the operations and implement effective and innovative solutions and cost efficiencies to run a successful operation.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Manage the planning, development, and implementation of major transportation programs, including multimodal, traffic safety, traffic operations, and traffic signal management programs.
Provide leadership and strategic direction for Vision Zero, Complete Streets, bicycle and pedestrian mobility, speed management, parking and curb management, and other transportation initiatives.
Lead the development and implementation of major policies, programs, and investment strategies, including project prioritization, performance evaluation, funding strategies, Council actions, staff reports, and supporting materials.
Provide management and oversight of multidisciplinary teams and senior-level staff, including establishing priorities, allocating resources, resolving complex issues, and ensuring effective program and project delivery.
Coordinate with City leadership, Council offices, other City departments, regional and state agencies, community stakeholders, and external partners on transportation projects, policies, funding, and emerging issues.
Oversee program budgets, grant-funded activities, performance monitoring, and interdepartmental coordination to ensure programs are delivered effectively and in alignment with Department and City priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field; and
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible supervisory and(or) professional management experience in engineering, operations, or management that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce
Any combination of education, experience, and training may demonstrate these qualifications

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

General knowledge of transportation infrastructure, asset management, traffic safety, multimodal transportation, and related maintenance and capital improvement activities, including streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, bridges, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and other transportation infrastructure.
Experience overseeing large, complex programs, capital projects, or operations and maintenance activities, with the ability to successfully manage multidisciplinary teams, substantial capital or operating budgets, and high-profile and visible programs.
Knowledge or expertise in applicable City, State, and Federal standards, laws, regulations, and policies related to transportation and public infrastructure.

Interest in municipal services and how they impact the community
Experience managing diverse operations with a high-volume of customer requests or competing priorities
Ability to establish clear goals, expectations, and priorities for team and successfully monitor and manage to completion
Strong quantitative analytical abilities, including a thorough understanding of common data analysis tools and programs
Excellent writing and communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills
A desire to solve problems and integrate process improvements, and an ability to work in a resource-constrained environment with a “can do” attitude
Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative
Motivated by delivering excellent internal and external customer service
Understanding how to handle sensitive and confidential information
Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear and straightforward manner, including the use of graphs and tables as needed, and across various audiences, including elected officials, City management, and members of the public
Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the “big picture”
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints
Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and timelines with a positive attitude
Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political

The Department:

The Transportation Department is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and traffic signals, and engineering of multimodal transportation systems; managing the Utilities Undergrounding Program; and management and coordination of resurfacing and utility work within the public right-of-way. The Department manages large capital operations and receives a high volume of customer service requests with the most publicly-visible “essential” infrastructure across the City.

The Department is comprised of nearly 550 staff and five distinct Divisions: Right of Way Management; Street; Engineering, Asset Management, & Parking; Fiscal, Admirative, and Information Technology; and Business Operations. The annual budget as adopted for Fiscal Year 2026 is $200M+ for operations and $480M+ for capital improvements; the Department manages $250M+ in grant awards and active grant projects.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:

Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.

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