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Traffic Officer Recruitment: Frequently Asked Questions
We have complied a list of frequently asked questions (detailed below) to hopefully answer any queries you may have about the recruitment process. We hope you find all the information you need here. If your query is not covered below please contact us via email at trafficrecruitment@highways.gsi.gov.uk and we will do our best to answer it for you.
Where?
- Where can I see information about current recruitment campaigns
- Where are the RCCs (Regional Control Centre) and outstations based?
- Where will training take place?
- Where will I be based?
What?
- Do I need to hold a driving licence?
- What if I have 3+ points on my licence?
- What happens if I get points on my driving licence at any point?
- What is a typical working day like?
- What is typical example of a shift pattern?
- What holiday entitlement will I receive?
- What checks will I undergo before being offered a formal appointment?
- What if I fail one aspect of my training but pass the rest?
- What is involved in training?
- What development opportunites are there for me?
- What is the waiting list?
Who?
- Is there a minimum age limit?
- Is there a maximum age limit?
- What is the full range of Traffic posts that may become available?
- I am not a UK national, can I still apply?
- I'm a Special Constable, can I still apply?
- I'm already a civil servant, can I transfer into the Traffic Officer Service?
How?
- How do I complete the Achievement Record?
- How do I find out about future vacancies?
When?
- If I'm successful at the Assessment Centre, how long will it be until I'm doing the job?
Where?
Where can I see information about current recruitment campaigns
Details of all the vacancies we are currently recruiting for can be found on our Current Vacancies page. You can register to receive email alerts on this page too, or you can contact our enquiry line on 0800 917 4441 and register that way.
Where are the Regional Control Centres (RCCs) and outstations based?
We have one RCC in each of our seven geographical regions, with four or five outstations in each region.
- West Midlands - Quinton, Birmingham
- East Midlands - Nottingham
- North West - Rob Lane, Warrington
- North East - Calder Park, Wakefield
- East - South Mimms, Hertfordshire
- South East - Godstone, Surrey
- South West - Avonmouth
View a map of the Regional Control Centre and outstation locations
Where will training take place?
The Foundation Training course will be based at our central Traffic Learning Centre in Quinton, Birmingham. Whilst our training programmes are usually residential, there is some flexibility depending on individual circumstances e.g. for part time employees. More detailed information will be sent to you once you have been offered a position.
Where will I be based?
Due to the safety critical nature of these roles you must live within one hour's drive of your place of work. Please bear this in mind when applying for positions within the Traffic Officer Service.View a map of the Regional Control Centre and outstation locations
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What?
Do I need to hold a driving licence?Yes, you must have held a full, valid UK driving licence for at least 2 years for all the roles except that of Regional Control Centre Operator.
What if I have 3+ points on my licence?
We will accept 3 points but no more at the time of application.
What happens if I get points on my driving licence?
If you receive additional points before you start working for us you will need to contact the Traffic Appointments Team on 0113 283 6262 or for advice.
As one of our employees, in a situation where driving is a fundamental part of the job and a condition of employment, for operational flexibility and for Health and Safety reasons you must be able to legally drive. (e.g. hold, and continue to hold, a valid and relevant driving licence and be insurable).
You will need to inform your line manager if you receive any additional points on your licence.
What is a typical working day like?
On the Meet the Team page, members of the team explain in their own words what a typical working day is like.
What is typical example of a shift pattern?
In order to provide full around the clock services, The Traffic Officer Service operates on a shift working basis. The shifts are usually comprised of one of the following:
a) 24/7 pattern - this comprises early, late and night turns of duty on a rotating basis and attracts a 20% shift allowance.
b) Double-day pattern - this comprises early and late turns of duty and attracts a 12.5 % shift allowance.
SAMPLE 24/7 SHIFT PATTERN:
- Earlies 0600-1425
- Lates 1400-2225
- Nights 2200-0625
SAMPLE DOUBLE-DAY SHIFT PATTERN:
- Earlies 0600-1425
- Lates 1400-2225
Shift patterns vary on a regional basis dependent on business needs. Paid and unpaid meal breaks are worked in accordance with local shift patterns and taken at such a time as authorised by your line manager.
Some regions may be able to offer a static part-time working pattern which may not involve shift working. Instead each day will be the same turn of duty dependent on local business needs.
What holiday entitlement will I receive?
We offer 222 hours of annual leave with an additional 10 and a half public and privilege days (divided as 8 public and 2 and a half privilege). The Traffic Officer Service operates 24/7, 365 days a year, which naturally includes Bank Holidays and weekends. However if you work on a Bank Holiday you will be entitled to a day back in lieu as part of your public holiday allowance.
What checks will I undergo before being offered a formal appointment?
- Medical check (may include attending a medical)
- Security check (includes Criminal Records Bureau check where appropriate to the job)
- Character enquiry
- Satisfactory references
Please bear in mind that these checks can take some time.
What if I fail one aspect of my training but pass the rest?
As we need to maintain the safety of our staff and of all road users, offers of employment may not be confirmed if training is not satisfactorily passed.
What is involved in training?
The Foundation Training Course will provide you with a solid grounding in the skills required to carry out your role. The duration of the course will vary depending on your role. The intensive programme has been designed to give you exposure to managing incidents, dealing with customers, patrolling and closing the motorway (if on-road) and the full range of activities that you will experience on the job.
What development opportunities are there for me?
After you start working with us you'll have the opportunity to undertake the Certificate in Traffic Management, a Level 3 vocational qualification accredited by City & Guilds
Who?
Is there a minimum age limit?
No, but you must have held a full valid driving licence for at least 2 years for all roles other than Regional Control Centre Operator.
Is there a maximum age limit?
Our usual retirement age is 65. If you are applying for a Traffic Officer Service role please be aware that the maximum age we accept applications for is 63.5. This is because of the length of time it will take to recruit and train you to become competent in these safety critical roles.
What is the full range of Traffic posts that may become available?
- Regional Operations Manager
- Operations Manager
- Team Manager
- Regional Control Centre Operator
- Traffic Officer
I am not a UK national. Can I apply?
Applications are welcomed from other nationalities as outlined in the application pack. These applications must be supported by a driving record equivalent to the UK requirement and a full, valid licence must be held that permits the applicant to permanently drive Highways Agency vehicles on the UK roads network. This will be assessed by the Agency who will seek advice from the DVLA where necessary before reaching a final decision on suitability.
I'm a Special Constable, can I still apply?
Due to a conflict of interest, the role of Special Constable is incompatible with that of Traffic Officer (TM1b) and Team Manager (TM2 /on-road). Whilst we don't want to exclude you from applying for these posts, you would need to resign your Special Constabulary Membership before accepting an offer of employment with us.
I'm already a civil servant, can I transfer into the Traffic Officer Service?
Due to the safety critical nature of these roles and the very different competencies they require, we are unable to facilitate transfers into the service. You would need to be successful at application stage and pass the assessment centre. Once you were offered a role you would then be treated as a civil service transfer.
How?
How do I complete the Achievement Record?
We advise that you read through the recruitment brochure (in particular the guidance notes contained on pages 14 & 15) before completing your achievement record
Recruitment Brochure (858 KB PDF)
How do I find out about future vacancies?
You can register to receive email alerts when we are about to run a recruitment campaign for the role and the location you are interested in.
If I'm successful at the Assessment Centre, how long will it be until I'm doing the job?
Once a formal offer of employment has been made and all medical, security and criminal checks have been successfully completed, you will attend a training programme to ensure you start your role fully prepared. The length of your training depends on which role you're doing:
- On road roles: 6 weeks
- Off road roles: 4 weeks
After successfully completing your training you will continue to receive support and on the job training..
If you are successful after the assessment centre but we have more successful people than we have roles for currently will have the option to be placed on a waiting list for future vacancies as and when they arise for a period of up to 12 months.
