[6895] Control Room Operator

National Highways; Newton-le-Willows; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways in the North West region is recruiting a Control Room Operator based at the Regional Operations Centre in Newton Le Willows. You’ll monitor live traffic via CCTV, coordinate incident responses with emergency services, and support road maintenance teams to minimise disruption.

This role requires strong communication, calm under pressure, and safe operation of traffic management tools, with shifts to cover a 24/7 schedule.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.
• Ability to work shifts as part of a 24/7 cover.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor live traffic using CCTV, sensors and data feeds.
• Coordinate incident responses with police, fire and ambulance services.
• Provide timely information to road users and media via digital signs and feeds.
• Work with stakeholders to manage incidents and ensure safety.
• Support maintenance and construction activities with safe, minimal disruption.

Skills

Traffic monitoring

Incident management

Communication skills

Typing proficiency

Problem solving

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Education

GCSE Maths and English

Tools

CCTV systems

Traffic sensors

VMS signage

Job description

Your new role

As a Control Room Operator, you’ll be the first line of support when someone makes that crucial roadside call. Whether it's a breakdown, an accident, or an urgent road issue, you'll be the voice of reassurance, the problem‑solver, and the one who mobilises the right teams to take action. From setting road signs and signals, to coordinating with emergency services and ensuring our road workers can safely carry out maintenance and upgrades - you’ll be at the heart of it all.

Every day in our Regional Operations Centre is different. It’s fast‑paced, dynamic and incredibly rewarding. We take immense pride in our work, knowing that we’re connecting businesses, families, and communities across the country with passion and dedication.

We’re looking for people to join our diverse and energetic team to manage our road networks in the North West region, where you’ll be based at our Regional Operations Centre at Newton Le Willows.

Our Control Room Operator's operate 24/7, 365 days of the year, so our operators work 6 days on, 3 days off. Consisting of: 3 earlies (6am – 2.26pm), 3 lates (2pm – 10.26pm), 3 rest, 3 covers (can be any of these shifts), 3 nights (10pm – 6.26am), 3 rest.

The starting salary for this role is up to £37,362.50 (made up of base salary plus 25% shift allowance) increasing to up to £38,900 (made up of base salary plus 25% shift allowance) after 9 months probation.

Want to find out more about our Control Rooms, take a look here!

What you’ll be doing

• Monitoring live traffic conditions, using a range of tools and technologies, such as CCTV cameras, traffic sensors, and real-time data feeds, to keep an eye on traffic flow, congestion, and incidents.
• Incident management, when an incident occurs, such as an accident, breakdown, or severe weather event, ROC operators are among the first to respond. You’ll coordinate the immediate response, which might involve dispatching traffic officers, alerting emergency services, or setting up road closures and diversions.
• Providing accurate and timely information to road users. This can include updating digital road signs (Variable Message Signs), coordinating with local media, and providing updates to traffic information services.
• Working closely with various stakeholders, including the police, fire services, and local authorities, to manage incidents and ensure the safety of road users.
• Playing a role in coordinating road maintenance activities and construction work, ensuring that such operations are carried out safely and with minimal disruption to traffic.

To be successful

We are looking for people who are great communicators and proficient problem-solvers. If you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it – then you’ll be a great fit for our organisation.

Some skills and requirements we are looking for include;

• Decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and telephone manner
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Comfortable with technology and able to quickly learn new systems
• A high level of typing proficiency

Other Requirements

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above), or equivalent. However, if you do not have these qualifications, please do still apply, as we’re likely to accept applicants who have relevant work experience or similar level qualifications.
• Prepared to work shifts as part of a 24/7 cover.

A bit about us

Operations is at the heart of keeping the strategic road network moving and ensuring our customers get the best possible experience when using our roads.

We address over 39,000 customer enquiries every month, plan and deliver all maintenance activities on the network, drive efficiencies and improvements across our systems and roads, and respond to incidents across 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that we manage. All to make sure National Highways customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys.

*Please note, the advert may close ahead of the deadline if we receive a large number of applications.