Traffic Control Specialist Resume Guide
Traffic control specialists monitor and direct the flow of traffic to ensure safety. They use stop/slow paddles, flares, cones, warning signs and other devices to alert drivers of potential hazards or detours. They also provide directions to emergency personnel responding to incidents on highways or roadways.
You know how to keep the roads safe and running smoothly, but employers don’t know who you are. To get their attention, you must craft a resume that highlights your experience as a traffic control specialist.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Traffic Control Specialist Resume Sample
Terrill Konopelski
Traffic Control Specialist
[email protected]
579-829-2461
linkedin.com/in/terrill-konopelski
Summary
Energetic Traffic Control Specialist with 5+ years of experience directing traffic flow and providing safety guidance to pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, and construction workers on busy roads. Seeking a role at ABC Company where I can make use of my expertise in working day or night shifts as well as using standard hand signals for traffic control. Successfully managed complex roadways under high-pressure situations without any major incidents reported.
Experience
Traffic Control Specialist, Employer A
Lexington, Jan 2018 – Present
- Supervised a team of 10 traffic control specialists in the implementation of new safety protocols, resulting in a 28% reduction in vehicular accidents.
- Reorganized the construction site layout to improve pedestrian and vehicle flow; increased efficiency by 45 minutes per shift.
- Structured an innovative system for traffic management at various intersections around town, reducing travel time by 15%.
- Investigated over 50 road-traffic complaints from citizens each month and provided solutions that successfully resolved all grievances within 48 hours on average.
- Confidently managed up to 30 simultaneous projects involving street closures, lane diversions & special events with zero disruption or delays caused to commuters’ daily schedules.
Traffic Control Specialist, Employer B
Fort Worth, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Compiled and reported traffic flow data on a daily basis, resulting in an overall 20% decrease of accidents in the area.
- Reported to police and local authorities all road safety issues such as broken street lights or potholes; attended 8 community meetings per quarter to advise residents on best practices for safe driving.
- Advised drivers of potential hazards ahead by setting up warning signs, cones and barricades at construction sites while actively participating in traffic control operations throughout the city during peak hours; successfully reduced rush hour congestion by 15%.
- Participated in safety training programs with other Traffic Control Specialists to ensure that vehicles were properly guided through work zones without disruption or delay; completed 6 projects within tight deadlines last year alone (+30%).
- Meticulously maintained records of all tasks performed including incident reports, vehicle inspections & first aid measures taken after any accident occurrences; improved document filing accuracy rate from 78% to 95%.
Skills
- Traffic Signal Installation and Maintenance
- Roadway Design and Engineering
- Traffic Flow Analysis
- Traffic Control Device Operations
- Traffic Incident Management
- Traffic Data Collection and Analysis
- Traffic Safety and Enforcement
- Traffic Control Plans and Strategies
- Construction Traffic Control
Education
Certificate in Traffic Control and Management
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Traffic Control Supervisor Certification
American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary or objective should be an attention-grabbing introduction to your resume. As a traffic control specialist, you can use this section to highlight the skills and experience that make you stand out from other candidates. For example, mention how many years of experience you have in controlling traffic flow on busy roads or highways; any specialized training related to safety protocols; and how well-versed you are with various types of technology used for monitoring and managing traffic patterns.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Driven traffic control specialist with 5+ years of experience in directing traffic flow and providing safe passage for pedestrians. Proven expertise in creating detailed plans to manage construction, emergency response, and special events while adhering to all safety regulations. Seeking to join ABC Company as a Traffic Control Specialist where I can use my exceptional organizational skills and knowledge of city streets to ensure smooth operations.
Dependable traffic control specialist with 10+ years of experience managing traffic flow and implementing safety regulations. Adept at coordinating the placement of warning signs, barricades, cones and other devices to ensure safe passage for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and vehicles. At XYZ Construction Company successfully managed a team responsible for the setup/takedown of temporary roadways in compliance with local laws.
Diligent traffic control specialist with 5+ years of experience ensuring the safe and efficient flow of vehicular traffic. Experienced in coordinating road construction projects, setting up lanes to direct drivers, and working closely with local law enforcement officers. At XYZ Traffic Control Services, managed a team of 10 specialists responsible for the successful completion of over 150 projects across 4 states in 6 months.
Hard-working traffic control specialist with 7+ years of experience managing traffic flow and ensuring safety in high-traffic areas. At XYZ, expertly managed the day-to-day operations of a busy intersection, reducing accidents by an impressive 70%. Commended for my ability to think on my feet and make quick decisions when faced with unexpected situations. Adept at using modern technology to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Amicable and dependable Traffic Control Specialist with 8+ years of experience working in traffic control, construction and maintenance. Demonstrated success in providing safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles during road projects. Proven record of maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols on the job site. Possesses a valid Class A CDL license, OSHA 30 certification, and is trained in First Aid/CPR.
Seasoned traffic control specialist with over 10 years of experience in directing and managing traffic flow for residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Committed to upholding safety standards while minimizing disruption to ensure smooth transport operations. At ABC Company, managed a team of 25 traffic control officers who successfully handled road closure tasks within budget constraints.
Skilled traffic control specialist with 5+ years of experience directing traffic and coordinating emergency responses in an urban setting. Seeking to use my expertise, safety-oriented mindset, and strong communication skills to join ABC as a traffic coordinator. In the past year alone I have successfully coordinated over 100 events without any major incidents or delays.
Talented Traffic Control Specialist with 5+ years of experience in traffic management and safety. Certified by the Department of Transportation in Traffic Signal Maintenance and Installation, as well as Flagging Procedures. Seeking to leverage expertise to become a part of ABC’s team and help ensure safe conditions for drivers on the roadways.
2. Experience / Employment
The work history/experience section is where you provide details on your employment history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job is listed first.
When writing this section, it’s best to use bullet points; doing so allows the reader to quickly digest what you have stated. When providing detail about what you did and achieved at each role, try to quantify results when possible.
For example, instead of saying “Directed traffic,” say something like “Managed a busy intersection during rush hour periods with up to 500 vehicles per hour passing through safely.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Monitored
- Directed
- Regulated
- Coordinated
- Supervised
- Enforced
- Inspected
- Investigated
- Patrolled
- Assessed
- Reported
- Responded
- Educated
- Analyzed
- Resolved
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Assessed traffic patterns and congestion levels for over 40 intersections daily, successfully reducing average traffic jams by 20%.
- Resolved conflicts between motorists in a timely manner to minimize disruption of traffic flow; responded to over 500 emergency calls from law enforcement personnel last year.
- Responded quickly to changes in the road conditions caused by accidents or inclement weather; successfully directed drivers away from dangerous areas with no reported incidents.
- Successfully implemented new policies and procedures regarding safe navigation of heavy machinery on construction sites, resulting in an increase of productivity by 10% per hour on average across all projects within 6 months’ time period.
- Coordinated closely with other state departments such as police force and highway safety units to ensure compliance with relevant regulations while also optimizing efficiency at roadworks sites throughout the city area.
- Mentored 8+ junior traffic control specialists in proper safety protocols and correct use of signage, helping to reduce the number of violations by 24%.
- Regulated the flow of car and pedestrian traffic at construction sites; minimized disruption to nearby businesses by 70% over a period of 6 months.
- Utilized cones, barricades, flags & other equipment for regulating roadways around hazardous locations or work zones; ensured compliance with OSHA standards at all times.
- Accurately recorded data from on-site observations such as vehicle speed limit, lane closures etc., which were then used for revising existing traffic plans accordingly each week.
- Revised standard operating procedures documents related to roadside safety measures; increased adherence rate among colleagues by 15%.
- Optimized traffic patterns for construction sites and special events, allowing for the safe passage of over 120,000 vehicles per day with no major incidents.
- Spearheaded a team of 15+ traffic control personnel to successfully manage high-traffic zones across 10 cities; reduced commute time by 32% in 6 months.
- Facilitated relationships between local road authorities and contractors while ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations governing proper traffic management practices.
- Achieved 100% compliance rate on all safety audit checks at worksites through clear communication with employees regarding standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Diligently monitored real-time information systems such as CCTV cameras & sensors in order to adjust lane closures & other measures during rush hour periods, resulting in an 80% reduction in travel delays within 12 months.
- Directed traffic in busy intersections, ensuring the safety of pedestrians and motorists; reduced traffic accidents by 12% within a two-month period.
- Reduced rush hour congestion along major highways through careful planning and organization of lane closures, allowing cars to move swiftly with minimal delays.
- Enforced local laws while monitoring roads for violations such as speeding or illegal parking; issued over 250 tickets during peak hours without any reported complaints from citizens or business owners.
- Reliably managed traffic control equipment including barricades, signage, cones and other materials necessary for road work projects; maintained inventory records updated at all times with 100% accuracy rate.
- Developed new strategies to improve existing short-term solutions that aimed to reduce traffic jams in high-traffic areas by an average of 30 minutes per day upon implementation.
- Streamlined traffic control operations for a large construction site, resulting in a 15% reduction of traffic delays and an increase in safety standards.
- Substantially increased customer satisfaction by directing vehicles quickly through the work zone, reducing wait times by 25%.
- Prepared detailed daily reports to track progress on projects as well as any issues that arose with traffic flow or road closures; reported all findings to supervisors promptly.
- Educated local residents on rerouting regulations around the construction area via public outreach programs and activities at community centers; decreased complaints from motorists by 10%.
- Presented recommendations to city officials regarding necessary improvements or upgrades needed for roads and intersections within their jurisdiction, ensuring safer travel conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.
- Analyzed traffic patterns, identified points of congestion and developed strategic plans to expedite traffic flow; resulting in a 15% decrease in average commute times.
- Represented the company at public meetings to present new traffic control initiatives and received positive feedback from local residents on their implementation.
- Expedited installation of 20+ road signs throughout the city, leading to an increase in pedestrian safety awareness by 25%.
- Introduced innovative solutions for optimizing peak hour travel speeds by utilizing adaptive signal controllers; reduced wait time at intersections by 45 minutes per day.
- Efficiently managed daily operations related to lane closures and construction projects within allocated budgets while ensuring compliance with federal regulations governing highway maintenance activities.
- Actively monitored traffic flow at busy intersections, controlling and directing the movement of over 10,000 vehicles a day while ensuring safety protocols were followed.
- Improved road safety by quickly responding to emergency situations such as accidents, disabled vehicles or hazardous debris; reduced collision incidences by 15%.
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of state laws pertaining to speed limits and driving regulations when issuing verbal warnings and citations for violations.
- Monitored construction sites with complex detour patterns to ensure that all drivers received adequate warning signage before reaching work zones; decreased driver complaints regarding navigation issues by 14%.
- Patrolled highways on foot or in marked vehicle during peak hours to identify instances of reckless driving or other infractions; issued an average of 25 tickets per month for non-compliance cases.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may require a traffic control specialist to be proficient in the use of certain software, while Organization XYZ may need someone with experience working on roadways.
It is essential to keep this in mind because many employers now utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS). These computer programs scan resumes for specific keywords before passing them on to a human. Therefore, you want your resume skills section tailored specifically for each job that you are applying for.
You should also elaborate further upon these skills by discussing them more thoroughly in other areas such as the summary or experience sections of your resume.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Construction Traffic Control
- Roadway Design and Engineering
- Traffic Control Device Operations
- Traffic Control Plans and Strategies
- Traffic Data Collection and Analysis
- Traffic Flow Analysis
- Traffic Incident Management
- Traffic Safety and Enforcement
- Traffic Signal Installation and Maintenance
- Traffic Signal Timing and Synchronization
4. Education
Mentioning an education section on your resume will depend on how much experience you have. If you are just starting out and don’t have any work history, include the education section below your resume objective. However, if you already have a few years of professional experience in traffic control specialist roles, it may be better to omit this information altogether.
If an education section is included, try to list courses and subjects related specifically to traffic control or other relevant topics that could help demonstrate your understanding of the job role.
Certificate in Traffic Control and Management
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in a certain field. Having certifications on your resume shows potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to learn about an industry, as well as stay up-to-date with its developments.
If there are any certifications related to the job you’re applying for, be sure to include them in this section of your resume so hiring managers can see how qualified you are for the position.
Traffic Control Supervisor Certification
American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Terrill Konopelski, this would be Terrill-Konopelski-resume.pdf or Terrill-Konopelski-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter in your job application is a great way to make yourself stand out above other candidates. Cover letters are typically 2-4 paragraphs long and provide an opportunity for you to introduce yourself, explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role and how your skills can benefit the company.
Cover letters offer recruiters more insight into who you are than what they may gain from simply reading through your resume alone. Writing one is highly recommended as it allows them to get a better understanding of who you are and if there’s potential fit between both parties.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Gabriella,
I am applying for the position of Traffic Control Specialist with the Department of Transportation. I have seven years of experience working as a traffic control specialist, and my knowledge of traffic laws and regulations is extensive. In addition, I have excellent communication skills and am able to work well with the public.
As a traffic control specialist, I am responsible for directing traffic at construction sites, special events, and accidents. I set up cones, barrels, and signage to ensure that motorists are aware of the situation ahead and can safely navigate around it. I also provide information to drivers when necessary and help them resolve any problems they may be having.
In my current role as a traffic control specialist with the Department of Transportation, I have successfully directed traffic at some of the largest construction projects in the state. My ability to remain calm under pressure has allowed me to effectively manage difficult situations while keeping both motorists and workers safe.
I would welcome the opportunity to bring my knowledge and experience to your team as a Traffic Control Specialist. Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need more information about my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Terrill