Highways Agency

• Job Description: SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR
• Reference: VV1150
• Division: Safety Action Plan Temporary Traffic Management Team – Safety Standards and Research
• Number of jobs available: 1 (Full Time or Part Time)
• Terms:   Permanent and voluntary terms apply
• Pay Band:  6  (£33,877)
• Location:  Leeds

JOB OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

Provide specialist safety and technical support in the field of traffic management and safe operations in roadworks. Provide generic and best practice advice on safety related aspects of temporary traffic management through standards and advice notes and by development of industry guidance in partnership with the supply chain. The post holder will manage research and development projects and technical consultancy projects. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as Project Sponsor for both the Chapter 8 Continuous Improvement project and the Driver Comprehension of temporary signing in road works project.
• Contribute to the management of safety assurance for the Highways Agency’s Traffic Officer role, from a road user perspective.
• The post holder will have regular contact with representatives of the TTM industry seeking support for innovation, so they will need to work in partnership with all interested parties providing advice to facilitate improvements in safety standards, procedures and best practice where possible.
• The main internal contact will be other members of the Safe Road Operations Group as well as colleagues in Traffic Operations and Major Projects Divisions. Main external contacts will be DfT, representatives of the Temporary Traffic Management industry and the various groups involved with safety and supply chain partnerships.
• The post involves regular travel away from the office and occasional overnight stays to help drive initiatives forward and ensure key targets are met.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS OR EXPERIENCE

• The successful applicant will have sound project management experience and excellent analytical skills.
• They will also need to have an appreciation of temporary traffic management issues as well as a good knowledge of the guidance contained in Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 8, published in June 2006.
• A proven safety background, supported by continuous professional development with the commitment to building and expanding on existing knowledge and expertise is also required.
• You will be familiar with and have experience of risk management techniques and an understanding and experience of developing standards and policy.
• You will also be required to deputise for the team leader from time to time so should have experience of working with senior management.
• Ideally a relevant degree in Engineering in addition to the experience described above.

Leadership

Takes a longer term strategic view.   Promotes a corporate approach to problem solving and decision making.  Conveys enthusiasm and inspires self-belief in others.

Customer Focus

Demonstrates an awareness of customer’ situation and priorities by adapting approach to suit their requirements.  Looks for ways to improve or streamline existing procedures and services

Communications/Influencing

When working to tight deadlines, maintains ability to draft concisely and precisely on significant issues.   Sets clear and achievable negotiating objectives in a variety of situation and identifies fallback positions.

Problem Solving/decision making

Deals with complex and ill-defined problems requiring significant levels of judgement and assessment of ambiguous information.   Spots opportunities to take measured risks and manages the consequences.

Managing Delivery

Prioritises and organises the work to deliver to time, budget and agreed quality standards.  Evaluates the outcomes against best practises of innovation and integration and shares learning.

Applying and developing job knowledge and expertise

Understands how own technical area/professionalism fits into the wider picture and the likely impact of own advice on other areas.   Takes a broad view when offering advice and is prepared to be flexible to achieve results.