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What does a traffic operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A Traffic Operator coordinates all logistic shipments and associated operations. You will be required to oversee all payments and credit negotiation demands within traffic management. For all that you will do, you'll be required to listen to emergency radios for incident alerts as well as maintain operating standards and emergency procedures. As a Traffic Operator, you will be responsible for carrying out rig movements while drilling is going on, depending on the particular industry. You'll do some other tasks like operating heavy machinery like the bobcat equipment and also perform demolition work.

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Traffic operator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real traffic operator resumes:

  • Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
  • Dispatch safety service patrol along the interstate to assist with disable vehicles, accidents, or any lane closures.
  • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
  • Train and recruit transportation personnel ensuring compliance with numerous transportation and DoD regulations.

Traffic operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Traffic Operators are proficient in Patrol, Traffic Management, and CCTV. They’re also known for soft skills such as Empathy, Good judgment, and Leadership skills.

We break down the percentage of Traffic Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patrol, 15%

    Receive radio communications from VDOT Safety Service Patrol to notify System Operators of an incident.

  • Traffic Management, 10%

    Entered incident information into computer systems using traffic management software.

  • CCTV, 7%

    Use CCTV, CAD feed, radio and telephone communication to monitor traffic and Dispatch IMAP vehicles.

  • Incident Management, 6%

    Utilized traffic equipment for incident management and the improvement of travel time and safety for traveling motorists.

  • DOT, 6%

    Maintain telephone or radio communications with incident responders, DOT field personnel and other public and private agencies.

  • Traffic Control, 6%

    Managed traffic control, answer various questions from public, keep traffic flowing.

Common skills that a traffic operator uses to do their job include "patrol," "traffic management," and "cctv." You can find details on the most important traffic operator responsibilities below.

Empathy. The most essential soft skill for a traffic operator to carry out their responsibilities is empathy. This skill is important for the role because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." Additionally, a traffic operator resume shows how their duties depend on empathy: "developed skills and understanding of plant operations and processes as well as key safety measures"

Good judgment. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling traffic operator duties is good judgment. The role rewards competence in this skill because "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." According to a traffic operator resume, here's how traffic operators can utilize good judgment in their job responsibilities: "experience with outbound, inbound, sit, and dity processes relative to movement household goods. "

Leadership skills. traffic operators are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to traffic operator responsibilities, because "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." A traffic operator resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "progressed through the ranks to leadership positions, with responsibilities for operation and maintenance of sophisticated military communications systems other"

Physical strength. traffic operator responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." This resume example shows what traffic operators do with physical strength on a typical day: "preformed physical and computer quality checks to maintain a bottle that were within the specs provided by the customer. "

Most common traffic operator skills

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Compare different traffic operators

Traffic operator vs. Fleet manager

A fleet manager is responsible for monitoring the delivery processes, including the maintenance and registration of delivery vehicles, recruiting delivery drivers, and regularly inspecting the vehicle's engine to boost optimal performance for efficient deliveries. Fleet managers purchase the vehicles, negotiating contracts with trusted manufacturers, and try to keep minimal costs without compromising quality. They also manage delivery schedules, respond to the receivers' inquiries and concerns, and resolve delivery complaints immediately. A fleet manager must have excellent communication and analytical skills, especially on strategizing profitability techniques and identify related business opportunities.

If we compare the average traffic operator annual salary with that of a fleet manager, we find that fleet managers typically earn a $12,882 higher salary than traffic operators make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between traffic operators and fleet managers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like dot, computer system, and customer service.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a traffic operator are more likely to require skills like "patrol," "traffic management," "cctv," and "incident management." On the other hand, a job as a fleet manager requires skills like "vehicle fleet," "preventative maintenance," "fleet management," and "parts inventory." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Fleet managers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $49,573. In contrast, traffic operators make the biggest average salary, $57,245, in the finance industry.fleet managers tend to reach similar levels of education than traffic operators. In fact, fleet managers are 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Traffic operator vs. Flight control manager

An airport manager oversees all of an airport's activities. They are responsible for managing flights, communicating with all pilots on takeoff and landing, coordinating airport employees, and ensuring passengers' comfort. They resolve organizational issues and ensure that aviation safety policies are followed. Airports function as the door to a country, so they should be presentable, hospitable, and comfortable.

A career as a flight control manager brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a traffic operator. In fact, flight control managers salary is $18,557 higher than the salary of traffic operators per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both traffic operators and flight control managers have skills such as "cctv," "radio communications," and "emergency situations. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real traffic operator resumes. While traffic operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "patrol," "traffic management," "incident management," and "dot," flight control managers use skills like "faa," "mcc," "nasa," and "biomedical."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Flight control managers tend to reach similar levels of education than traffic operators. In fact, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Traffic operator vs. Assistant terminal manager

On average, assistant terminal managers earn higher salaries than traffic operators, with a $28,620 difference per year.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a traffic operator is likely to be skilled in "patrol," "traffic management," "cctv," and "incident management," while a typical assistant terminal manager is skilled in "safety rules," "osha," "safety regulations," and "customer complaints."

When it comes to education, assistant terminal managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to traffic operators. In fact, they're 1.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Traffic operator vs. Airport manager

Airport managers tend to earn a higher pay than traffic operators by an average of $5,795 per year.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "patrol," "traffic management," "cctv," and "incident management" are skills that commonly show up on traffic operator resumes. On the other hand, airport managers use skills like strong customer service, customer complaints, business demands, and human resources on their resumes.In general, airport managers hold similar degree levels compared to traffic operators. Airport managers are 3.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of traffic operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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