Highways Agency

SENIOR TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

• DIVISION:  SAFETY STANDARDS AND RESEARCH
• JOB REFERENCE:  VV1130
• NUMBER OF JOBS: UP TO 2
• LOCATION:  BRISTOL
• TERM:  FULL TIME , PERMANENT AND VOLUNTARY
• PAY BAND:  6N
• PAY STARTING FROM:  £33,877

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Overview and Purpose

You will be responsible for providing high quality specialist engineering advice related to the application of technology on the Agency’s strategic road network. And for managing the departures from standard service in the area of technology. As part of your duties, you will be responsible for developing and updating specifications, standards and other technical documents in this subject area and for providing input and advice to a number of Technical Project Boards.

The work is aligned to the Agency’s Key Objectives and Balanced Scorecard system that ensures the Agency effectively fulfils its network operation role. The Agency is committed to meeting those responsibilities through a challenging programme of innovation, customer support and business improvement. This demands a high level of expert knowledge and experience in the application of traffic technology to roads, coupled with a commitment to critically challenge convention, while meeting both internal and external customer requirements.

You will be responsible for managing projects supporting the development of new advice and standards ensuring projects are cost effective, timely and customer focused .You will be responsible for managing resources (including consultants and contractors) contributing to the delivery of the departures service. Communicating and influencing skills are used daily in order to deliver these services, working closely with other teams and individuals in the Agency and other government departments.

Key Responsibilities

You will be expected to achieve challenging, personal objectives that support overall business targets. These will include, but will not be limited to:

• Provision of high quality specialist advice to customers  related to Technology deployment on the Strategic road network 
• Managing the Delivering of the Technology Departures service
• Development of existing and new standards, advice and specifications  relating to Technology
• Manage projects and resources supporting the delivery of the departures service to strict cost, quality and time criteria.
• Coordinate relevant Technical Project Boards and provide specialist input as required. 
• Contribute to Policy and strategic planning related to the application of innovative ITS solutions.
• Supporting the Team Manager in business planning and monitoring activities

Essential Skills & Experience

 It is essential that applicants demonstrate professional competence in these areas:

• A good understanding of Technology and highway electrical systems coupled with a sound working knowledge of their application to the Agency's strategic road network and the requirements of whole-life support; including experience in the application of national and European standards, used by the Agency.
• Strong project management skills.
• An appreciation of national and ideally international standards used by highway authorities for traffic control and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Qualifications: Educated to degree, HND or HNC level or equivalent in an engineering or scientific discipline or significant evidence of relevant experience at an appropriate level.  Chartered membership of an appropriate engineering institution would be advantageous.

Other Requirements

As part of your duties and liaison with key customer in other HA offices you will be expected to work away from the office. There may be occasional travel to Europe.

Competencies

Applying Job Knowledge and Expertise

Evaluates and is prepared to question or challenge major policies or decisions on the basis of technical /professional knowledge. Ability to develops own and others’ solutions; understands how own advice impacts on other areas.

Leadership

Leads by example; agrees short and long term objectives; encourages attitudes and behaviours which respect and value diversity. Conveys enthusiasm and inspires self belief in others.

Managing Delivery

Identifies those areas where the team needs to make the greatest impact.  Prioritises and organises the work to deliver to time, budget and agreed quality standards; establishes and communicates the standards and quality of performance expected.

Communications/Influencing

Gives regular & constructive feedback to the team and colleagues; influences senior managers and others by clearly demonstrating a grasp of the objectives of others; uses face to face contact when possible. When working to tight deadlines maintains ability to draft concisely and precisely on significant issues.

Problem solving/decision taking

Probes to understand causes and implications while challenging wrong and inaccurate information; considers the wider implications and risks of specific proposals and takes account of political and other sensitivities before taking a decision; takes timely, consistent and impartial decisions taking account of the views of others