How to hire a traffic investigator

How to hire a traffic investigator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step traffic investigator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a traffic investigator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic investigator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the traffic investigator you need to hire. Certain traffic investigator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A traffic investigator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, traffic investigators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents traffic investigator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Traffic Investigator	Description	Hourly rate
   Traffic Investigator		$15-34
   Transportation Technician	A transportation technician is tasked to assist in all matters concerning transportation and delivery of products and items to intended destinations. The transportation technician provides the proper delivery and transport rates and methods on the best and most efficient delivery method... Show more	$13-23
   Traffic Signal Technician	Traffic Signal Technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and installation of traffic signals as well as highway lighting systems. Their duties include maintaining and assembling traffic signals and highway lightings, administering concrete for control equipment and pole installation, utilizing traffic signal software, and carrying out annual inspections... Show more	$12-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Traffic Safety
   • Physical Evidence
   • Criminal Investigations
   • Traffic Accidents
   • Traffic Control
   • DUI
   • Motor Vehicle
   • Traffic Surveys
   • Federal Laws
   • Traffic Enforcement
   • Conduct Interviews
   • Traffic Management

   Responsibilities:

   • Draft and execute subpoenas, search warrants, arrest warrants, and surveillance activities.
   • Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the elderly and mentally handicap citizens residing in Medicaid or state operate facilities.
   • Skil with the use and maintenance of firearms.
   • Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the elderly and mentally handicap citizens residing in Medicaid or state operate facilities.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your traffic investigator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A traffic investigator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, traffic investigators' average salary in vermont is 56% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level traffic investigators 54% less than senior-level traffic investigators.
   • Certifications. A traffic investigator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a traffic investigator's salary.

   Average traffic investigator salary

   $48,535yearly

   $23.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level traffic investigator salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a traffic investigator job description

   A traffic investigator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a traffic investigator job description:

   Traffic investigator job description example

   Work for Indiana
   
   Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana's communities every day.
   
   At the State of Indiana, we don't just talk about diversity and inclusion - Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to interview and to perform the essential functions of a role.
   
   Next Level benefits at the State of Indiana are here! Be sure to review our expanded benefit package offerings below.
   
   About the Indiana Department of Transportation:
   
   The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state's quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you.
   
   Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $39,884.00 per year but may be commensurate with education and/or experience.
   
   Location: The location of this position is INDOT Crawfordsville.
   
   About the Job:
   
   The Traffic Field Investigator performs technical engineering assignments in collecting, correlating & analyzing vehicle and volume turn count counts, radar speed observations, topographic information, accident data & photographs for use in various traffic & safety studies (Traffic Signal, Flashing Beacon, Speed, Parking, School zones, Warning and Regulatory sign requests). Investigates traffic related concerns using special measuring devices & prepares data for inclusion in final reports; prepares reports & recommendations on changes/additions of traffic control based on field observations & analysis, handles complaints from public & officials regarding study locations & other traffic related matters.
   
   A Day in the Life:
   
   * Collect, correlate, and analyze field data for assigned projects.
   * Conduct various traffic studies; count traffic; take roadway measurements, draw sketches, and take photographs of locations being investigated.
   * Use Microsoft Office software, spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and graphics software to produce reports.
   * Recommends proper course of action to supervisor from collected information and reports.
   * Prepare work orders.
   * Work with public to answer questions and to clarify requests
   * Performs related duties as assigned
   * Participate in snow removal activities.
   
   The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
   
   What You'll Need for Success:
   
   * High School Graduate or equivalent.
   * Must possess valid driver's license.
   * Must have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or ability to obtain a CDL within 90 days.
   * Basic knowledge of Computer Aided drawing drafting skills.
   * Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
   * Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; develop complex reports.
   * Must be detail oriented and possess excellent organization skills.
   * Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
   * Must be able to work independently.
   * Must be available for snow and ice removal and report in a timely manner.
   
   Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
   
   Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
   
   The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
   
   * Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
   * Wellness program (offers premium discount for the medical plan and gift cards)
   * Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
   * Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
   * Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
   * Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
   * A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
   * 150 hours of paid new parent leave
   * Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
   
   * Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
   * 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
   * Education Reimbursement Program
   * Group life insurance
   * Referral Bonus program
   * Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
   * Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
   * Free Parking for most positions
   * Free LinkedIn Learning access
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity:
   
   The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
   
   Current Employee? Click here to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find traffic investigators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any traffic investigators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level traffic investigators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your traffic investigator job on Zippia to find and recruit traffic investigator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting traffic investigators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic investigator

   Once you've found the traffic investigator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new traffic investigator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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