Project Lead, Transportation Services

Employer: City of Toronto

Posting date: February 3, 2023

Transportation Services is seeking Project Leads to support traffic and disruption on the streets of Toronto, including all modes of transportation. As a Project Lead, you will be a part of a team making changes to the existing road network to maintain and improve operations of the traffic system with control devices and systems. In one of these positions, you will help to shape the future of Toronto’s streets with a focus on active traffic management, traffic systems operations & maintenance, and construction hub coordination to create a more livable, equitable and resilient city and keep Torontonians moving safely.

Transportation Services is hiring for four permanent and one temporary Project Leads within the Traffic Systems Construction & Maintenance Unit, three permanent Project Leads within the Traffic Systems Operations Unit, two temporary Project Leads within the Workzone Construction Coordination Unit, and one permanent Project Lead within the Active Traffic Management Unit. Please identify in your resume which unit you are interested in applying to.

The Active Traffic Management Unit

The Active Traffic Management team is responsible for the traffic operations centre, incident response, planned/unplanned event management, traffic agents program, traffic management and school crossing guard program.

The Project Lead will report to the Project Manager, Active Traffic Management and will be involved in a full range of active traffic management services with a main focus on the school crossing guard program. The Project Lead will work with the Project Manager to modernize current practices such as data management; bring a strong customer service focus to internal and external stakeholders; ensure excellent vendor performance; identify issues and provide solutions; provide updates on the school crossing guard program; and establish and maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The Project Lead will also help with the development and delivery of a communication plan for stakeholders such as councillors, schools, other City units, management and external organizations.

The Traffic Systems Construction & Maintenance Unit

The Traffic Systems Construction & Maintenance Unit is responsible for construction and maintenance of traffic control signals (e.g. Signal, PXOs, beacons) and other Intelligent Transportation Systems (Accessible Pedestrian signals, CCTV, detection and traffic systems, traffic controllers, communication systems, Variable Message signs). The Unit is also accountable for managing the City’s street lighting asset.

The Project Lead will report to a Senior Engineer or Senior Project Manager in the Construction, Maintenance or Street Lighting team. In Construction, the Project Lead will manage and deliver Capital Works projects for the Unit and the Traffic Management Section. In Maintenance, they will assist in managing, and providing oversight to, the Electrical Maintenance Contract (EMC) and the contractors responsible for completing traffic maintenance activities. The Project Lead in Street Lighting will assist in providing oversight of the street lighting agreement with Toronto Hydro.

The Traffic Systems Operations Unit

The Traffic Systems Operations (TSO) Unit is responsible for the operation of the City’s traffic control systems; the implementation of signal timing changes, signal modifications, construction timings and special event timings; signal coordination studies; and the development of policies and procedures for signal operations. There are three groups within TSO that the Project Lead positions are required for: Vision Zero Group (VZG), Congestion Management (CMG) and Systems and Communications Group (SCG). Each group has its respective signal operations-related responsibilities.

The Work Zone Construction Coordination Unit

The Work Zone Construction Coordination Unit is responsible for coordinating and scheduling all closures of the City’s right-of-way, while ensuring the impact of closures is minimized, and traffic flow and pedestrian access is maintained to the best possible service level.

The Project Lead will report to the Senior Project Manager and will be responsible for preparing reports and briefing notes to obtain Council approval for Construction Staging Area occupation of the City’s right-of-way. The Project Lead will also assist with conducting observations in the field and office, using the City’s RESCU cameras to develop temporary/construction traffic signal timing changes, identify issues with construction staging set-ups, and provide recommendations for signage and PVMS deployment and messaging. In addition, the Project Lead will support the Hub and Work Zone Coordinator activities by utilizing mapping applications to identify possible conflicting construction activities and monitor the impact of construction activity on travel times (using field-deployed Bluetooth equipment).

Major Responsibilities:

Implements detailed plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program-specific requirements.
Manages assigned projects from inception to completion, ensuring effective teamwork, communication and high standards of work quality to advance the Division’s initiatives in a complex municipal environment.
Develops and maintains tracking systems for related data and records.
Demonstrates initiative, continuous learning and ability to implement process improvements.
Monitors projects to ensure completion in accordance with approved plans and agreements of undertaking.
Prepares project plans, standard operating procedures, e-mail correspondence, reports, briefing notes, concurrence forms, purchase order amendments and status updates for the manager and other senior staff.
Develops presentation and training material, and conducts training and presentation for various levels of internal and external management/stakeholders.
Provides work direction to project team members and support staff, including engineering technologists, technical trainees, contractors, consultants and volunteers.
Reviews, produces, and comments on draft materials. Negotiates and coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders on, and outside of, project technical advisory committees.
, and reports on, a range of new projects and initiatives.
Assists with the development of annual budget plans.
Manages and evaluates the work performance of contractors, suppliers and consultants with respect to payment processing, quality, timeliness, cost and completion of required tasks.
Fosters and maintains effective working relationships and networking with inter-divisional departments, government agencies, elected officials, and consultants through consultation, resolution of conflicts, participation in public meetings, etc.
Keeps up-to-date on relevant research and coordinates with relevant divisional staff on project-related data and analysis.
Represents the Division, as required, at meetings and project-related community consultations.
Ensures compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and all other related provincial regulations and corporate and divisional safety standards and procedures.
Works with other City staff to prepare, coordinate and/or provide input on purchasing documents such as requests for expressions of interest (REOI), information (RFI), quotation (RFQ), proposals (RFP), negotiated proposals (nRFP) and other tools to procure goods or services, evaluate bids and submissions, make recommendations for award, and assist in the negotiation and execution of contracts.
Supports the development of design and construction standards, specifications, best practices and processes for delivering programs and projects.
Leads, facilitates, or participates in internal technical working groups and stakeholder engagement, including other City divisions, agencies, community and interest groups, industry members, higher educational institutions, and other levels of government to ensure appropriate involvement and feedback at all stages of projects.
Conducts technical problem investigations, performs site visits and inspections, participates in conducting studies and commenting on technical reports, and provides detailed recommendations and advice that are in alignment with peer city best practices, industry guidelines, and applicable regulations.
Conducts project-specific and on-going technical research into assigned areas, ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, City policies and practices, applicable legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
Maintains state-of-practice knowledge in assigned topics, including comparable peer cities and regulatory proposals and changes by other levels of government that may impact the City of Toronto.
Works with interdivisional, interdisciplinary and interagency teams and consultation processes to plan toward, and support, project and program delivery while addressing political, community, business and other stakeholder interests.
Embraces diversity and inclusion, fosters teamwork and consistently contributes to a positive workplace culture by demonstrating and promoting cooperation and collaboration, establishing, maintaining and strengthening constructive and respectful relationships, and building effective partnerships and strategic alliances.
Prepares materials for briefings to senior management in the Transportation Services Division and individual members of City Council, drafts staff reports and presentations for management review and submission to City Council and its Committees, and drafts correspondence for a variety of audiences.

Key Qualifications:

Post-secondary education in transportation engineering, electrical engineering, planning, environmental studies, project management with relevant experience or a discipline pertinent to the job function combined with relevant experience, training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing complex multidisciplinary projects in transportation planning or engineering, road safety, traffic operations, intelligent transportation systems, or data analytics requiring critical judgement, analytical thinking, and problem-solving with creativity.
Experience in project management, project delivery, financial activities, cost and schedule control, change management and working with minimal direction while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests.
Demonstrated business needs gathering and process modernization skills.
Experience leading project teams and developing collaborative internal and external business relationships.
Knowledge and experience in data management, working with traffic signals infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, street lighting assets, and construction management plans, conducting traffic investigations and utilizing ITS technologies.
Considerable experience in at least one of the following areas: data management / process modernization / customer service / project management / relationship management, construction and maintenance of traffic control signals, traffic system operations, working with construction management plans / conducting traffic investigations / utilizing ITS technologies.
Ability to effectively deal with the public in dispute management or conflict resolution situations.
Ability to define and meet project purpose and objectives, undertake all project activities, define and achieve milestones and deliverables, monitor and track progress, and communicate effectively with stakeholders
Teamwork and prioritization skills to direct the work of others and concurrently coordinate multi-discipline projects.
Accountability with ability to plan, prioritize and work independently in a remote setting with minimal supervision.
Knowledge using a variety of software, i.e. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Webex, Visio, GIS, CADD, Work Management Systems, Financial Systems, etc.
Ability to effectively represent the Division and to maintain relations and work with community and elected officials, and internal and external stakeholders.
Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to develop written materials, and presentations and to communicate both orally and in writing at all levels of the organization, with elected officials and the public.
Knowledge of, and ability to apply and interpret, a variety of legislation and technical documents related to the field, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Highway Traffic Act, traffic-related by-laws/codes, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Ontario Traffic Manual, and Ministry of Labour Guidelines.
Proven ability to effectively delegate tasks and provide work direction to personnel.
General knowledge and understanding of the City’s technical standards, policies and practices related to permitted road activities.
Ability to organize, prepare and carry out tasks to meet deadlines.
Awareness of transportation equity and willingness to advance it through project work.
A PMP designation would be an asset.
Experience with GIS would be an asset
Certification as a CET and membership in OACETT are assets. Certification with the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Level I and Level II (Traffic Signals) or the ability to complete the certifications would be an asset.
Must possess and be able to maintain a valid Province of Ontario Class “G” driver’s licence with the ability to obtain a City’s Driver’s Permit and have daily use of a personal vehicle.