Jesus Nuñez’s Career Journey from Protector to Vice President

A traffic control job quickly turns into a rewarding career for anyone who is willing to learn and work hard. That was Jesus Nuñez’s experience when he accepted an entry-level position almost 20 years ago. Now an AWP Safety vice president responsible for the company’s operations in the U.S. Mountain region, Nuñez recently shared his traffic control journey — and how it has inspired the next generation of his family to pursue safety as a career.

Turning a Job Into A Career

Starting out as a yard helper loading trucks at Trafficade, which became part of AWP Safety in 2021, Nuñez made sandbags and learned the ropes of basic traffic control. He initially viewed the job as just a paycheck. “My main focus was to make sure I could take care of my family,” Nuñez says as he reflects on his early days in the traffic control industry. But he quickly realized the industry offered countless career advancements opportunities. A quick study, Nuñez advanced to a position driving a company truck and later to setting up signage for active worksites. He credits on-the-job learning from more experienced colleagues with helping him move up. “I was blessed to have good coaches and mentors,” he says. That coaching and experience paid off as Nuñez progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, including work site supervisor, dispatch manager, operations manager and regional vice president.

Working HArd and PAying It Forward

Nuñez says the keys to success are trusting yourself, valuing teamwork and jumping at the jobs no one else wants. That’s how he had the opportunity to work in the “hot seat” position as a dispatcher, which is often viewed as the most challenging role in a traffic control facility. In the hot seat, Nuñez was charged with handing out work orders, managing logistics and ensuring work sites were resourced correctly.

“That was my first test to see how much stress I could handle,” he says. “It was challenging and fun. I saw the opportunity to accelerate, and I took it. It opened doors for me to advance with the company.”

He also mastered multiple responsibilities that would serve him well in future roles. As Nuñez was promoted to operations manager and then vice president, he remembered how beneficial his mentors had been and knew he wanted to pay it forward. “I really started focusing on developing others,” he says.

Providing For Multiple Generations

At a time when investing in a four-year college degree can be prohibitively expensive, Nuñez sees the traffic control industry as a great alternative for those who don’t want to pursue higher education. Yet there are also opportunities for those who do have some higher education or have earned college degrees. “There’s no right or wrong way to come into this industry,” Nuñez says. “Just put your best foot forward and be ready to learn.”

According to Nuñez, AWP Safety is such a great place to start that he recommended it to his own son. “The number one reason I wanted him to work here is because it’s a great company with a great culture of ownership, teamwork, and trust. If it wasn’t, I would have advised him to go find a different job,” he says. And just as Nuñez has cared for his family with a traffic control career, he knows it will do the same for his son, who is looking forward to advancing and developing his own career. “Working at AWP Safety, I can help my family live comfortably and I know my son can sustain his future family working here, too.”

Learn more about current AWP Safety career opportunities by visiting our Careers page.