2024 Engineering & Architecture Associates Program - Traffic Design

Description

About the Engineering & Architecture Associates Program:

The Engineering & Architecture Associates Program is a two-year rotational program at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey open to Engineering and Architecture students who are receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree between September 2023 and May 2024. During their first year, Associates rotate through different Engineering/Architecture disciplines in both construction and design. Associates also rotate through different Port Authority facilities, like: George Washington Bridge; Holland Tunnel; JFK Airport; LaGuardia Airport; Lincoln Tunnel; Newark Airport; PATH; World Trade Center; and more. In their second year, Associates focus on the discipline they applied for. In addition to gaining hands-on experience and becoming part of the team in each rotation, the Engineering & Architecture Associates Program also provides mentorship, professional development, training, networking, and facility tours.

Even though this is a rotational program, Associates are full-time, permanent employees with a yearly salary and benefits. After successful completion of the program, Associates are promoted to Associate Engineer/Architect. As of 2023, there are close to 200 program alumni still working at the agency. Most Associates grow their careers within the Engineering Department (we have Associates who have rose to Chief positions) while others transition to engineering roles in other departments like: Aviation; Operations Services; Major Capital Projects; PATH; Planning & Regional Development; Port; Sustainability; Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals; World Trade Center; and more.

The 2024 cohort is expected to start in the beginning of June.

About the Traffic Design Division:

Traffic Engineering is a dedicated and diverse group of transportation professionals that oversees and supports various transportation functions within the Port Authority including planning, design, operations, safety, modeling, data analytics, technologies, and real-time transportation management. These services are provided in support of the operations of all Port Authority facilities and to conceive, enable, and execute the delivery of all state-of-good-repair projects and major agency programs. Traffic Engineering serves as the unofficial Department of Transportation of the Port Authority and it has the unique and critical responsibility to establish and implement the rules and regulations for vehicular traffic on all Port Authority roadways.

Responsibilities:

While there’s no typical day for an Associate because rotations vary, some examples of responsibilities related to the Traffic Design Division include:

• Conducting, collecting, reviewing, and disseminating vehicular, pedestrian, and mode-specific passenger traffic volume counts to support transportation modeling, analysis, and other data needs of the agency
• Assisting with vehicular and pedestrian transportation analysis utilizing industry-standard transportation software
• Supporting the layout and planning of roadways and parking lots to improve traffic safety or increase capacity
• Supporting designs of traffic control devices, including work orders for the Port Authority Sign Shop to install roadway pavement markings, traffic signing, and delineators
• Supporting design of temporary traffic control devices, including barriers, drums, and cones, to support maintenance of traffic during construction
• Fielding verification of the installation of permanent and temporary traffic control devices
• Assisting with crash monitoring and reporting, preparing crash diagrams, and supporting traffic safety improvement projects
• Serving as transportation operator at the Port Authority Transportation Management Center or Airport Operations Centers
• Researching best practices in transportation technologies and develop ideas for transportation innovation
• Learning about the award-winning Traffic Safety Improvement Program including crash records management, crash mitigation, crash prevention, and educational safety campaigns
• Understanding the agency-wide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program in accordance with the Agency's mission as put forth in the ITS Strategic Plan
• Providing support to all Port Authority facilities to ensure the safe and reliable movement of people and goods, to ensure code compliance, and to develop engineering solutions that meet the needs of evolving facility operations and increase operational efficiency
• Learning how traffic engineering design services support the delivery of the Port Authority's Capital and Operating programs
• Experiencing traffic engineering services on large, capital programs including airport redevelopments and other multi-faceted megaprojects such as JFK Airport Redevelopment, Port Authority Bus Terminal Replacement, and Lincoln Tunnel Helix Replacement
• Experiencing how construction takes place in the field, conducting field inspections, working closely with Resident Engineer’s office, and interacting with contractors
• Understanding how the properties of materials is used for design, and the testing of materials for quality control during construction
• Learning how Civil Design, including drainage and grading of roadways, is interdependent with the Traffic Engineering Division 

Examples of Rotations for a Traffic Design Associate:

The most recent rotations have included: Traffic Safety Improvement Program; Transportation Technologies Group; Traffic Operations & Customer Experience; Traffic Planning & Project Delivery; Major Redevelopment Program; Construction Management; Materials; and Civil Design.

Qualifications:

• Students receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related discipline between September 2023 and May 2024
• Passion for public service
• Openness to rotating through different Engineering/Architecture disciplines and Port Authority facilities (your home address will be taken into consideration when rotations are chosen)
• A valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of being hired

 Desired:

• Possess Engineer In Training (EIT) Certificate in the States of New York and New Jersey or ability to obtain licensure with reciprocity
• Experience or internship working at a public transportation agency, traffic engineering/planning consulting firm, or another entity involved with the transportation of people and goods
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with AutoCAD, GIS, and databases
• Interest in public transportation

How To Apply:

• Click “Apply Now”
• Follow the prompts
• Please submit the following with your application
  1. Resume that clearly indicate when you’re expected to receive your degree in MM/YYYY format
  2. Cover letter detailing why you’re interested in participating in the Engineering & Architecture Associates Program

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application deadline is Thursday, November 30, 2023.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should apply to this job by clicking on the "Apply Now" button and submitting a combined cover letter and resume. The Port Authority of NY & NJ welcomes veteran and military spouse applications.

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted.

About The Port Authority:

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than twenty three billion in annual wages and eighty billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.