Traffic Operations Specialist - Phoenix Arizona
- Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Sep 30, 2025
Job Description
Traffic Operations Specialist
Summary Statement
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Under supervision, performs work in a structured environment to monitor and coordinate traffic operations. Works with State Troopers, Operational Communications, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) personnel, and other public and highway safety entities to monitor and manage traffic conditions and assist with management of traffic incidents. This position is designated as uncovered; the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Director of the Department of Public Safety. This recruitment may close without notice.
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Essential Functions (not intended to be all inclusive)
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1. Monitor ADOT cameras to provide information updates to Operational Communications, Duty Office, State Troopers, and the chain-of-command.
2. Coordinates emergency services and tow truck responses to minimize roadway and incident clearance times and reduce secondary incidents/collisions.
3. Monitors the DPS computer aided dispatch (CAD) system to provide updates on incident locations, details, and activities.
4. Provides instruction and coordination of Traffic Incident Management protocols and curricula.
5. Use the appropriate information system to store and report information concerning critical performance measures related to incident response times, clearance times, time off highway, and secondary incidents/collisions.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
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KNOWLDEDGE OF:
1. police methods, practices, and procedures.
2. DPS rules and regulations.
3. Traffic Incident Management protocols and procedures.
4. general instruction, classroom management, adult learning, and authentic learning assessment.
SKILL IN:1. the operation and use of the Department’s current CAD system. and electronic incident/citation/reporting software.
2. the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.3. coordinating complex traffic incident responses.
4. writing detailed reports and after-action reviews/briefs.
5. teaching/instructing public safety and/or highway safety courses/classes.
ABILITY TO :
1. effectively coordinate complex dynamic traffic incidents and collisions.
2. work in a multi-agency environment.
3. prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct written reports.
4. analyze situations or information and adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action.
5. maintain composure and work effectively under highly stressful conditions.
6. treat persons with courtesy and respect while performing the Department's mission.
7. read and understand complex written information.
8. observe and recollect details.
9. work independently.
10. establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
11. work any hours including weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, call-outs and overtime.
12. perform basic mathematic and statistical calculations.
13. communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
14. operate a computer to input and retrieve information.
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Minimum Qualifications
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Three years of law enforcement experience as an Arizona POST certified peace officer or a police communications dispatcher. Must have and maintain a valid Arizona driver license.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Office setting. Availability to work irregular hours and/or respond to emergency staffing call-outs on a 24-hour basis.
FLSA STATUS: NON-EXEMPT
Must pass a background investigation.
Geoff Partridge
Applicants will be required to apply through AZDPS career page.
About DPS
In 1968, the Arizona Legislature passed a law to create the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS). The agency became operational by the executive order of Gov. Jack Williams on July 1, 1969. Governor Williams’ mandate consolidated the functions and responsibilities of the Arizona Highway Patrol, the Enforcement Division of the State Department of Liquor Licenses and Control and the Narcotics Division of the State Department of Law into one agency.
Mission Statement
To provide public safety to the state of Arizona.
Vision Statement
To be the national model in providing state-level law enforcement services.
Since its inception, the department has added many additional responsibilities and has evolved into a renowned, multi-faceted organization dedicated to providing law enforcement services to the public while developing and maintaining close partnerships with other local, county, state, federal and tribal agencies.
For much of its history, the sworn members of the department were known as officers or patrolmen. In early 2015, a change in title was initiated at the agency that resulted in its sworn personnel becoming known as State Troopers. The change in title served to better align the department with other highway patrol agencies across the country.
The department is headquartered in Phoenix, but also operates out of local offices spread throughout the state’s 15 counties. With nearly 2,071 full-time employees, the agency strives tirelessly to fulfill its support and operational objectives including traffic safety and criminal investigation. As of 2018, there were 1,171 sworn employees and 900 professional staff.
Values
The following are our seven core values, supporting the tradition of Courteous Vigilance and are reflected in the acronym JUSTICE which represents the seven points of the Department’s badge:
| Justice: | We embrace the qualities of fairness, equality, and quickness in protecting the rights of the people we serve. |
|---|---|
| Undaunted Commitment: | We demonstrate moral and physical courage, vigilance and diligence in duty performance. |
| Service: | We deliver exceptional service assistance through teamwork and cooperation. |
| Trust: | We strive to earn and keep the confidence of the people we serve through truthfulness, communication and reliability. |
| Integrity: | We are honest, factual and accountable while being an example of excellence on and off duty. |
| Courtesy: | We are respectful and polite to everyone. |
| Empathy: | We are compassionate and respectful in all that we do. |
These numbers are as of 07/2018. Numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number to avoid decimals.
| Sworn Staff | Professional Staff | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 96% | 47% | 72% |
| Female | 4% | 53% | 27% |
| White | 78% | 77% | 78% |
| African American | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Hispanic | 18% | 14% | 16% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1% | 4% | 2% |
| Native American | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Age 40+ | 54% | 70% | 62% |
The Department issued handgun is a Glock 17 Gen5, chambered in 9mm. The Patrol rifle is a Colt AR15 model 6920AZ issued with three, 30 round magazines. The 12 gauge Remington 870 shotguns are only authorized for carry when modified to their less lethal munitions configuration.