Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Flag Person

🎯 Role Definition

A Flag Person (commonly referred to as a Flagger) is responsible for establishing and maintaining safe, efficient movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic through or around construction zones, maintenance operations, and other temporary work areas. The Flag Person follows traffic control plans and MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) guidance, directs motorists with flags, paddles, or signage, coordinates with on-site crews and equipment operators, and ensures all work zone safety protocols are observed. This role requires strong situational awareness, clear communication, and a commitment to public and crew safety.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Construction Laborer (entry-level road/utility labor)
General Labor / Site Assistant
Traffic Control Laborer / Temporary Traffic Technician

Advancement To:

Lead Flag Person / Senior Flagger
Traffic Control Supervisor / Traffic Control Crew Lead
Traffic Control Technician / Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Coordinator
Field Safety Officer or Construction Site Safety Representative

Lateral Moves:

Road Maintenance Technician
Flagger Trainer / Instructor
Municipal Traffic Operations Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Control, direct, and manage the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic through construction, maintenance, utility, or emergency work zones using flags, paddles, stop/slow signs, and hand signals in accordance with established traffic control plans and MUTCD standards.
Set up, maintain, inspect, and remove temporary traffic control devices including cones, barricades, advanced warning signs, channelizers, message boards, and arrow boards to create a safe work zone and clearly communicate lane closures or detours to motorists.
Monitor oncoming traffic conditions and make immediate, safety-first decisions to stop, slow, or allow vehicle movement while coordinating with equipment operators and crew members to prevent conflicts and collisions.
Communicate clearly and continuously with equipment operators, truck drivers, and co-workers via hand signals and two-way radios to coordinate vehicle movements within the work zone and ensure safe ingress and egress of construction vehicles.
Enforce speed reduction and lane-change instructions inside work zones by providing visible and authoritative presence and by guiding drivers through temporary traffic patterns to reduce crash risk and protect workers.
Maintain constant situational awareness of hazards including approaching vehicles, changing weather, shifting light conditions, and site-specific risks to proactively mitigate unsafe situations and notify supervisors of emergent dangers.
Perform continuous visual inspection of control devices and replace or reposition signage and channelizing devices as conditions change or as equipment/wind displaces them to maintain compliance and visibility.
Record and report incidents, near-misses, traffic disruptions, and unusual driver behavior to site supervisors or safety officers in accordance with company incident reporting policy.
Execute alternating traffic control for single-lane operations by coordinating signal times, flagging sequences, and hand-held paddle use to maintain steady traffic flow while protecting crews and equipment.
Assist in implementing temporary detours and pedestrian control measures around work zones, ensuring safe crossings, ramps, and accessible routes are maintained for pedestrians, cyclists, and persons with disabilities.
Adhere to and enforce PPE requirements for all personnel in the work zone, including high-visibility apparel, hard hats, and safety footwear; ensure that flagging personnel remain clearly visible to motorists at all times.
Provide clear, professional, and courteous directions to motorists and pedestrians while de-escalating conflicts and handling frustrated drivers to maintain safety and positive public relations for the project and agency.
Participate in pre-shift briefings and tailgate safety talks to review traffic control plans, hazard assessments, and job-specific instructions to ensure all flagging personnel understand their duties and the day’s risks.
Perform nighttime and low-visibility flagging operations using appropriate retroreflective equipment, supplemental lighting, and enhanced signage to preserve safety and traffic flow during extended or emergency operations.
Implement emergency traffic control when required, such as accident scenes, utility strikes, or unexpected lane blockages—prioritizing life safety, stabilizing the scene, and coordinating with emergency responders and law enforcement.
Maintain and inventory traffic control equipment, report damaged or missing devices, and ensure replacement supplies are staged and available to minimize work interruptions and safety exposures.
Follow company and local laws for traffic control and work zone safety, staying current with MUTCD updates, state DOT guidelines, and municipal ordinances relating to temporary traffic control.
Provide training, coaching, or on-the-job guidance to new or less experienced flaggers; demonstrate correct flagging techniques, hand signals, and setup procedures to raise overall team competency and compliance.
Work safely near moving vehicles and heavy machinery by keeping a safe distance, positioning oneself for maximum visibility, and following site-specific exclusion zones and stop-work authority protocols to prevent injury.
Conduct basic pre-shift vehicle and equipment checks (e.g., signage trucks, light towers) to verify functionality and safe operation before deploying to the work zone.
Complete basic documentation such as traffic control setup logs, daily shift reports, worker time sheets, and sign-in/out records, ensuring accurate records for compliance and project management.
Coordinate with contractors, utilities, and municipal agencies on site-specific traffic arrangements, special events, or schedule changes that affect traffic control requirements or public access.
Maintain a professional appearance and attitude while representing the company on public roads, ensuring interactions with the public are courteous and information is relayed clearly and accurately.

Secondary Functions

Assist with loading, unloading, and transporting traffic control equipment to and from job sites, ensuring devices are properly secured and maintained.
Support erosion and sediment control crews or maintenance teams on multi-disciplinary projects where flagging duties overlap with other public works activities.
Participate in after-action reviews and safety debriefs to help identify improvements to traffic control plans and flagging procedures based on field experience.
Help conduct basic traffic counts, queue studies, or observation logs as requested by project engineers to inform temporary traffic control adjustments.
Provide input for preparing traffic control plan revisions and site-specific standard operating procedures based on observed field conditions and public interactions.
Train as a backup vehicle spotter or signal person for equipment moves and short-haul operations when flagged procedures require additional personnel.
Maintain awareness and basic familiarity with electronic message boards and portable traffic signal systems and assist in their deployment as directed.
Support public outreach efforts by distributing informational flyers or answering basic questions from community members about temporary traffic impacts when requested by supervisors.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Current certification as a Flag Person / Flagger (state or employer-recognized) and demonstrated knowledge of MUTCD standards and temporary traffic control best practices.
Proficiency setting up, deploying, and securing temporary traffic control devices including cones, barrels, barricades, portable signs, arrow boards, and channelizing devices.
Competence operating two-way radios and clear radio protocol to coordinate with crews and emergency responders; ability to follow radio discipline and call-sign procedures.
Experience reading and following traffic control plans and site diagrams, including phasing, lane closures, and pedestrian circulation maps.
Basic vehicle operation skills for company pick-ups or sign trucks, including trailer hookup and light tower/arrow board deployment when required by the role.
Ability to safely perform flagging duties in nighttime, inclement weather, and high-traffic environments using supplemental lighting and high-visibility apparel.
Knowledge of personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and ability to enforce PPE compliance among crew members in the work zone.
Familiarity with incident reporting protocols and the ability to prepare clear shift logs, incident reports, and equipment checklists for project managers.
First Aid / CPR certification or the ability to obtain such certification, and familiarity with emergency response procedures on roadway incidents.
Physical ability to stand for extended periods, walk along lane closures, lift cones and signs up to specified weight limits, and perform repetitive duties in outdoor environments.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and hazard recognition skills to anticipate and respond quickly to changing traffic and jobsite conditions.
Exceptional verbal communication and public-facing skills for clear directions to motorists and professional interactions with the public and subcontractors.
Calm temperament and conflict-resolution ability to de-escalate confrontational drivers while maintaining strict adherence to safety procedures.
Dependability and punctuality with a strong safety-first mindset; consistent attendance and reliability are critical to maintain continuous traffic protection.
Teamwork and collaboration skills to coordinate effectively with crew members, equipment operators, supervisors, and emergency services.
Attention to detail for accurate placement of signage, careful documentation, and adherence to traffic control plans and regulatory requirements.
Adaptability to shift schedules, sudden project changes, and work in varied environmental conditions while maintaining performance and focus.
Time management and organizational skills to set up and take down control zones quickly and efficiently while meeting project timelines.
Observational reporting skills to document near-misses, unsafe behaviors, and conditions that require corrective action and communicate them clearly to supervisors.
Professionalism and customer service orientation to represent the contracting organization in a positive manner to the traveling public.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent combination of relevant training and on-the-job experience will be considered.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or coursework in construction safety, transportation, or public works; formal traffic control/flagger courses recognized by state DOTs.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Management / Trades
Transportation / Traffic Operations
Occupational Health & Safety
Civil Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level to 3 years of experience; many employers accept candidates with 0–1 year of related construction, maintenance, or public works experience combined with flagger training.

Preferred:

1–3 years of documented flagging or temporary traffic control experience on construction or municipal projects, with verifiable certification and references demonstrating safe performance and solid communication skills.