Control Room Operative

National Highways; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,062 - 36,512; Full time

Job summary

A government highways agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a Traffic Management Officer based in Bristol. The successful candidate will monitor live traffic using advanced tools, coordinate incident responses, and ensure safety for road users. Required skills include decision-making, excellent communication, and the ability to work under pressure. A GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent is necessary. The position offers up to £35,062.50 initially, increasing after probation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor live traffic conditions with tools like CCTV and sensors.
• Coordinate responses to accidents, breakdowns, and severe weather.
• Provide timely information to road users and update digital signs.
• Work with emergency services, police, and local authorities.
• Coordinate road maintenance and construction work.

Skills

Decision-making and problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills and telephone manner

Ability to work calmly under pressure

Comfortable with technology and able to learn new systems quickly

High level of typing proficiency

Education

GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent

Job description

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 – coordinating the immediate response to accidents, breakdowns, or severe weather events, including dispatching traffic officers, alerting emergency services, or setting up road closures and diversions.
• Providing accurate and timely information to road users, including updating digital road signs, coordinating with local media, and supplying updates to traffic information services.
• Working closely with stakeholders such as police, fire services and local authorities to manage incidents and ensure the safety of road users.
• Co‑ordinating road maintenance activities and construction work to minimise disruption to traffic.

To be successful

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

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and telephone manner
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Comfortable with technology and able to learn new systems quickly
• High level of typing proficiency
• GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent; we also consider relevant work experience or similar qualifications.

Other Requirements

• Prepared to work shifts as part of a 24/7 cover – 6 days on, 3 days off, cycling through early, late, rest, cover and night shifts.

Location and Shift Pattern

Based at our Regional Operations Centre at Brunel House, Bristol.

Salary

Starting salary up to £35,062.50 (base salary plus 25% shift allowance). After 9 months probation it increases to up to £36,512.50.

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 each 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.

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