Other Questions

Question 1

Tell us about yourself. What knowledge, skills, or abilities do you have to do this well.

Answer 1

IntroductionLicensesDegreesEngineer I - ResponsibilitiesEngineer I - AccomplishmentsAssociate/Acting Senior - ResponsibilitiesAssociate/Acting Senior - AccomplishmentsNext steps

Question 2

Do you have any questions for us or there anything else you’d like to add?

Answer 2

Passion StatementDriveCreativityPassionIf given the opportunity,

Question 3

How would you reduce the fatalities and accidents in the City of Fremont?

Answer 3

Keep City small - short blocks, walkable access to public transitReduce travel speeds - traffic calmingCreate streets for people - wider sidewalks, bike lanes, plazasPublic Transportation - safe, affordable, convenientData mapping techniques - map hotspots, put resources where there are greatest risk

Question 4

How do you motivate staff?

Answer 4

I motivate staff in various ways.Lacking in previous years.Purposeful parties - professional and personal milestones; breakfast, lunch, dinner; exampleRecognition - staff meeting to citywidePeer recognition Result - no additional staff loss

Question 5

How would you fill in gaps in mobility in Downtown and Warm Springs District?

Answer 5

This is challenge we frequently face during design. Constrained by project limits, funding limitations, or environmental requirements. Keep an eye on the goal.Aggressively pursue grant funding.Mapping techniques.Keep connections a priority during development review.Remember during CIP process.I have contributed to this efforts during previous CIP programming to add funding for Fremont/Sundale, Fremont/Bidwell, and Mowry/State. Be creative with temporary measures until funding is available for permanent construction.

Question 6

Provide an example of a high priority project.

Answer 6

Based on experience, every project is a high priority project to somebody.The best part of being in traffic is that we get involved in almost every project. The worst part of being in traffic is that we get involved in almost every project.A high priority project for the Kandee and City Manager’s office is the Capitol Avenue downtown project. I provided support for Phase I and are actively managing the traffic portion for Phase II.A high priority project for PD is our community surveillance cameras. My role was to provide the design and communication infrastructure knowledge as well as the liaison for Caltrans.The citywide sustainability project is a high priority for our long range planning group.We also have a list of transportation high priority projects such as Vision Zero and communication upgrades.There are many high priority projects and I have been successfully in balancing the priorities by recruiting the right staff, balancing the workload, and providing the motivation to work efficiently and effectively.

Question 7

Who are you customers?

Answer 7

1 Citizens2 City Manager/Mayor/Council3 Management - Director, CE, ACE4 Planners5 Project Managers in Other Sections - Design, Development6 Construction7 Direct Reports

Question 8

Give an example of a trouble employee.

Answer 8

I have had experience dealing with a few different scenarios with trouble employees now.The first is an employee whose attendance was an issue. The employee would provide very little advance notice for time off. The task at hand was to set expectations. The action was a one on one meeting to discuss roles, responsibilities, and expectations by asking questions. The result was improved attendance.The second example is a situation where an employee who didn’t feel part of the group. My task was to uncover root cause hiding under the symptoms. The action was to firs have a one-on-one meeting to ask questions, create a strategy plan, and continue meeting to discuss keep, stop, start items. Result so far is an increased level of comfort and improved communication.

Question 9

How do you train or develop your staff?

Answer 9

I train staff depending on their individual preferences.Upon hire and through evaluations, we discuss career goals, strengths, and areas of improvement.Bi-weekly one-on-one meetings.

Question 10

What do you consider to be your greatest strength as it relates to this position?

Answer 10

I believe my greatest strength is my interpersonal skills. I have the ability to work with many different personalities and work styles. I have created the relationships, trust, and respect from other departments and agencies. This is most helpful in solving problems. My success in solving problems are directly linked to who is willing to help.

Question 11

How do you prioritize work?

Answer 11

I prioritize work based by using categories.SafetyGrant funding deadlinesConstruction deadlinePolitical SensitivityPriority Development

Question 12

What are the goals of the mobility section of the General Plan?

Answer 12

1 Complete Streets - bike lanes2 Reduce VMT - land use, walkway networks3 Efficiency and Connectivity - signal timing, grade sep, 4 Balancing Mobility and Neighborhood Quality - redefine LOS, traffic calming5 Regional - 880/680, EWC, quiet zones6 Moving Goods - truck routes7 Parking - reductions, bikes

Question 13

Describe how do you approach a problem?

Answer 13

I approach every problem as an opportunity to improve a process, a procedure, or a system. • Failures serves as the best lessons in life• Solve the root problem not the symptoms• Solid strategy• Gather right people, resources, budget and knowledgeCONTROLLER FREQUENT PED RECALL• Easy - change the cabinet• Correct – find faultsCOLLEAGUE REQUEST FOR SUPPORT• Easy – assign staff• Correct - establish priorities and expectations

Question 14

How do you monitor the best practices within the Transportation profession?

Answer 14

• Forums - ITE, EBTE• Working lunches• Workshops• Training courses• Network/colleagues• News from other cities

Question 15

Describe a traffic safety program you have supervised?

Answer 15

Vision Zero

Question 16

Describe a project where you have worked proactively with the Police Department and other stakeholders on efforts related to enforcement, education, and policy.

Answer 16

Community Surveillance Camera project

Question 17

Describe your experience supervising the operation and maintenance for traffic signals and street lights.

Answer 17

I assist in the daily operations of our signal system. The daily operations structure include ACTRA, maintenance contractor, 1 dedicated associate transportation engineer, and a few engineer I for support. My role in operations is to assist in the priority of response to requests or concerns.Story on AMP flashing.I have a great working relationship with our signal maintenance and street light maintenance contractor, Bear Electrical Solutions.My role in street light maintenance is working with Carl Valdez. I am responsible for the design and maintenance of the lighting levels in the City and managing requests.

Question 18

Describe your experience managing for the replacement and upgrading of traffic signal infrastructure.

Answer 18

Mowry Avenue Arterial ManagementTraffic Improvement Program - signal modificationsAdaptive Signal Control Technology

Question 19

Describe your experience supervising the preparation of master plans, traffic studies, geometric design plans, traffic signal designs, contract drawings, and specifications for transportation system improvements.

Answer 19

I have experience in managing the preparation of project plans by in house engineers, consultants, as well as a developer’s consultant. I supervise the preparation of plans to make sure they conform to MUTCD, Caltrans, city standards, and to make sure that there are no conflicts or any issues that may come up during construction. For example, I make sure that signal foundations aren’t in conflict with storm drain or that we have accommodated bicyclists and pedestrians.I supervise the preparation of specs to ensure that the equipment we are directing the contractor install is for the desired operation and are in conformance to our standards or to make sure that we can covered all necessary pay items.

Question 20

Describe your experienced supervising the review of studies which evaluates the impact of new development.

Answer 20

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Question 21

What are some appropriate mitigation measures to address impacts and improve multimodal transportation system?

Answer 21

Some appropriate mitigation measure to address impacts include:right of way conflict - install stop signs or traffic light (Delta, Whole Foods)bike parking, bicycle detectioninstallation of sidewalks, APS

Question 22

Describe your experience in the selection and direction of consultants?

Answer 22

Preparation of RFPEvaluation

Question 23

Describe your experience writing clear and concise and verbal reports to the City Manager’s Office and City Council.

Answer 23

Adopting interim solutions at Civic CenterApproval of PS&E package of projectsAward and execute contractsApproval of new projects and appropriate funds

Question 24

Describe your experience with the transportation operating and capital budget.

Answer 24

CIPCost Center Reports - General fund allocationsPWC summary reportsCGFM certification

Question 25

How would you recommend revenue enhancements and cost reductions?

Answer 25

Revenue enhancements: Aggressively and proactively pursue grant funding (ATP, HSIP, etc.), creative solutions to bid packages, parking meters (Washington Hospital)Cost reductions: careful planning in the selection of equipment (systems engineering approach), review process (TTC in residential areas), proactive and less reactive to problems (internal)

Question 26

Describe your experience pursuing outside funding and grant applications?

Answer 26

HSIP (Fremont/Alder), SR2S (Blacow/Grimmer), ACTC (quiet zones), CMAQ, MPA course on grant applications, stating the need, following instructions to a T, solving the problem

Question 27

Describe your experience in the investigations of traffic related citizen service requests.

Answer 27

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Question 28

Describe your experience with conferring with property owners, school groups, public officials, and civic organizations regarding traffic issues.

Answer 28

Property owners - right of way issue on FrobisherSchool groups - FUSD, PTAPublic officials - MTCCaltrans

Question 29

How do you communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.

Answer 29

Communicating the science, remove jargon, explain the relevance, multiply it with the passion.

Question 30

Describe your experience coordinating with other jurisdictions on regional transportation issues.

Answer 30

MTC speechCaltrans on 680 HOT lanesMTC 880 fiber optic network sharing

Question 31

How do you develop the partnerships to support the city’s goals and resolve problems?

Answer 31

Make deposits to the bankneed to solve problemswithdraw from those accountsCapitol Avenue pole problem

Question 32

Can you share a time when you solved a problem?

Answer 32

I solve problems everyday. My job requires me to solve a problem before the public even realizes there is a problem. My job also requires me to be creative, resourceful, and self-motivated to solve problems when it's already the eleventh hour. An example of proactively solving problems is our traffic improvement program. This program requires me to take an inventory of our streets and focus on high priority locations. An example of problem where I had to act quickly is a recent intersection signal flash at Blacow/Boone. The situation was a cabinet defect causing the signal to go into flash disturbing the high school operations. I had to act quickly and mobilize our signal maintenance contractor, prime contractor, and the police department in a very short window. I also wanted to be present to send the message that I was willing to get dirty to get the job done. The result was a functional traffic signal.

Question 33

Give an example of a time when you overcame a challenge.

Answer 33

May and June 2014 was a time of many challenges that I overcame. The project I was managing was an intersection improvement at Fremont/Alder in front of a high school. The list of challenges I faced include: the last 2 weeks of project advertisement, the project scope was increased by 50%, issue an addendum which replaced all 20 sheets of the project, find additional funding, bids over engineer's estimate, 0% DBE requirement, work with legal to review good faith efforts, all while losing 2 members of our traffic section. The action I took was just to take the initiative and face those challenges head on. As they say, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I was successful in overcoming that challenge that better prepared me for future challenges.

Question 34

Give an example of when you made a mistake.

Answer 34

A time that I can recall when I made mistake was my first time working with a consultant hired by a developer for the Times Square market development in Warm Springs. The situation and the mistakes that I made were to assume that the design consultant had done their due diligence in design and that the project schedule were fixed. The issue was that there was an overhead utility conflict with our new traffic signal safety lighting, the poles were already ordered, and the project was rushed for the certificate of occupancy. The action I took was to remove the safety lighting, add additional lighting, require structural load calculations so that the project could move forward. What I learned from it was to never assume that the consultant stepped foot in the field which has now led to our practice of meeting with the consultant in the field. I also never assume that the time frame provided is stagnant.

Question 35

Give an example of a time when you worked as a leader.

Answer 35

A time when I successfully took charge and saw positive results was last August. Last August was one of our low points in the traffic section. The situation was we had lost our public works director, our senior engineer, and an associate engineer. We had an engineer take an early maternity leave and we were facing vacations that had already been scheduled. At the same time, we had high priority PWC projects and developments that were not going to wait for us. I took charge in seeking additional help by recruiting two temporary engineers, provide training, reestablished priorities and pushed for consultant contracts from previous employees. The result was continued services and operations and the group stretched and grew professionally as a result.

Question 36

Give an example of when you worked with a team.

Answer 36

I have worked with a team for as long as I can remember.I believe that the best projects with the biggest rewards requires some level of collaboration for the various perspectives, expertise, and knowledge. An example of a collaborative project was our Community Surveillance camera project. This project required the efforts of PD for their knowledge in crime patterns, IT department for their technical knowledge in our system's network, and our traffic group for our relationship with Caltrans and our knowledge in street lights and traffic signals. I enjoyed this project thoroughly because these project partnerships are rare.

Question 37

Give an example of time when you did something interesting.

Answer 37

An example of my extracurricular task is my involvement in the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women. The work that we do is to maximize parity for women in all areas such as the workplace, education, housing, etc. I have special interest in efforts to encourage studies and careers in the STEM fields. Next month, I'll be presenting to high school students and their parents about my education and career path. In January, I'll be participating in a lunch workshop where I will be present to another group of high school students to answer any questions they may have.

Question 38

What is your greatest strength?

Answer 38

Interpersonal skills to create the working relationships and trust with other departments and agencies.

Question 39

What is your weakness?

Answer 39

I would say that my greatest weakness is public speaking. I have plenty of experience with public speaking, but I still get so nervous beforehand.I have continued to improve in this area by putting myself in roles where I have to exercise this muscle. I have agreed to be chair of our EBTE, president of PETA, and earned my MPA.Story: Last year, our public works director asked me to prepare a brief oral presentation in collaboration with ACTC to MTC. The direction was given to me a 4 in the afternoon for a 9 am meeting the next day in Oakland. I made a lot of excuses in my head.

Question 40

Describe your experience working with outside agencies.

Answer 40

Similar to CIP projects, I enjoy working in collaboration with outside agencies. A few projects I am working with outside agencies include: - SV WAN upgrade with SJ - Fremont Boulevard Adaptive w/ Caltrans, Iteris, and MTC - Bike head w/ FHWA - Local Assistance engineer

Question 41

How do you deal with the public or difficult citizens?

Answer 41

I have had my fair share of dealing with the public. The key is to first make sure your are actively listening to learn the issues. (Science - jargon)/relevance x passion Memorable and difficult situation was working with a mom who lost her daughter in a car crash.

Question 42

How do you feel about public speaking?

Answer 42

Public speaking is a muscle that I have been continuously working on to improve. I have found opportunities to make me comfortable and speaking to a large group, but the butterflies do not go away. MTC example

Question 43

Describe your experience with dealing with Regional Transportation Funding.

Answer 43

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