Traffic Supervising Engineer (Engineer IV)

About the role

King County Road Services Division has a unique opportunity for you to play an important role in making positive changes to our local environment! Join a team that is shaping the future of safe, efficient travel across King County. We are looking for a dynamic individual to join our team as a Traffic Supervising Engineer IV.

In this role, you’ll lead quality assurance for traffic elements in key capital and countywide projects, drive innovative field and office studies to evaluate and advance traffic control technologies, and guide our Traffic Count Program to ensure we meet evolving standards. If you’re passionate about making real-world impact through smart transportation systems and enjoy leading skilled teams, this is an opportunity to help define how our community moves.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice.

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division - King County, Washington

Applying equity and social justice principlesis a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:

• Supervise field and office work for traffic safety investigations and responses to citizen traffic-related requests.
• Oversee the High Crash Location Reporting, road closures and work zone traffic control, channelization design, pavement markings and striping, School Safety Program activities, traffic operations analysis.
• Provide QA/QC for traffic elements for assigned capital and countywide projects.
• Oversee discretionary traffic services for contract cities.
• Perform or supervise in-house traffic studies and analyses, including review of consultant work.
• Oversee collision coding, processing, and development of the Annual Traffic Safety Report.
• Supervise staff supporting countywide Guardrail Programs.
• Review Special Use Permit applications for special events such as bike races, fun runs, parades, etc.
• Review legislative documents and provide recommendations.
• Provide litigation support to the PAO as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) or closely related field
• Seven years (7) of professional traffic operations experience involving planning, engineering, and operational needs of roadway systems.
• Five years (5) of progressively responsible supervisory experience, including hiring, work assignment oversight, performance evaluations, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
• Experience interpreting and applying technical standards and guidelines such as the MUTCD, WSDOT Design Manual, FHWA and AASHTO standards, KCRDCS (or similar), and ITE Recommended Practices.
• Experience researching and interpreting applicable codes, policies, regulations, and transportation-related laws at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Experience using traffic analysis methods for roadway channelization design and traffic calming applications.
• Experience conducting field evaluations and reviews, including providing recommendations for project scope and construction cost estimates.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written formats, including in politically sensitive situations and when working with officials, the public, partner jurisdictions, and internal and external staff.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals, customers, and stakeholders while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Ability to make presentations and provide testimony related to claims and lawsuits.
• Skilled in adapting to frequently changing work responsibilities.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office applications such as Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to perform duties as assigned

Necessary Requirements

• Professional Engineering (PE) License
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License or ability to get one within 6 months of employment

Desirable Requirement

• Professional Traffic Operations Engineering (PTOE) License

Work Conditions

• Work performed in the field for extended periods of time may be performed under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Works outdoors, which may require walking on uneven, rocky or rough ground, or working in inclement weather.
• May work in an active traffic environment
• Required to sit, talk, listen and hear; frequently required to use hands to finger, feel or handle writing utensils, computer and office supplies which require repetitive arm, wrist and hand movement.
• Sometimes it is required to stand and reach with arms and hands. Specific vision abilities include close, distant, color, and physical activity including but not limited to lifting up to 25 lbs. at least waist height; carrying and moving objects.
• Work adjacent to or on large equipment, with moving parts, subjected to loud noise and vibration.

Interview Schedule

The first review of applications will take place the week of November 9, 2026. Applicants that pass the initial screening will be invited for an interview the following week.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Janice Antonio at
• For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf

Work Schedule

The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

Emergency Designation Status

This position has been designated as: Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

Teleworking Requirement

We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, field work, onsite work and meetings as needed. The primary onsite location is at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104.Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.