Mobility and Traffic Safety Asst. Deputy Director

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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 

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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: