Salary £35,336 - £37,568
Purpose of the post
•Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
ABOUT THE SERVICE:
The Traffic Wales Service (TWS) is the Welsh Government's traffic information service for motorways and trunk roads in Wales and provides the public link to the Welsh Government's Traffic Management Centres in Conwy (North Wales) and Coryton (South Wales).
Both trunk road agents (North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA) and South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) areresponsible for managing, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government.
TWS is managed by NMWTRA but works closely with both Agents and the Welsh Government to deliver the service across Wales.
JOB PURPOSE:
To assist and deputise for the TWS Communications Manager in delivering the TWS in line with the requirements of the Welsh Government in order to meet its key strategic aims:
•Effective, safe and efficient Network Operations and Streetworks
•Reducing congestion and improving the reliability of journey times
•Supporting Welsh Government communications strategies
Responsible for:
•the operational delivery of the TWS e.g. creating process and procedures for operational delivery on an all Wales basis, developing new communications platforms.
•leading on the feasibility, design and implementation of Welsh Government and TWS projects.
•leading on communications and liaising with key stakeholders when significant events occur in Wales e.g. adverse weather events, national sporting events.
•assisting with communications strategy and the strategic development of the service.
•developing a better public understanding of the Welsh Government and the Agents’ work and promoting the use of the TWS to improve the travelling experience of Wales’ road users.
•implementing the communication strategy and campaigns that educate and inform the public and continually improve TWS brand awareness.
•supporting the Communications Manager with the line management of the TWS team.
Responsibility for functions
Responsible for:
•7 members of staff within the Traffic Wales Service team.
•managing the rotas and the workloads of the Traffic Wales staff to provide a continuous 7am to 7pm service and overnight on call cover.
• Marketing and event equipment, mobile phone, laptop / office PC
(note – General IT equipment managed by Gwynedd IT. TWS IT equipment and systems managed by NMWTRA Technology Team)
Main duties
Operational Management
•To assist and deputise for the TWS Communications Manager, including line management responsibilities.
•To organise staff rotas to ensure the Welsh Government’s operational requirements are met.
•To develop, lead, implement and evaluate TWS operating procedures and protocols to promote the service, Agent activities and Welsh Government’s work involving the strategic road network and wider transport initiatives.
•To provide cover during periods of absenteeism to ensure core service hours are maintained and take part in a 24 hour on-call out of hours rota and delivering emergency communications support.
•To liaise with internal stakeholders to support in the planning, design and implementation of internal communications strategies and campaigns.
•To act as key liaison with internal / external stakeholders’ communications and community engagement teams e.g.
-NMWTRA/SWTRA Operations Teams
-NMWTRA/SWTRA Network Management Teams
-NMWTRA/SWTRA Capital Delivery Teams
-NMWTRA/ SWTRA Streetworks Teams
-Welsh Government Central Communications Staff
-Emergency Services (e.g. Police, Fire & Ambulance)
-Statutory Utilities (e.g. water, gas, telecommunications providers)
-Press and other media organisations
-Local Authorities
-Elected members
-Trade representative organisations e.g. Freight Hauliers Association
-Recovery Operators e.g. AA / RAC / Green Flag
-National Highways (the former Highways England)
-Natural Resource Wales
•To support the dissemination of relevant information bilingually to the travelling public through the use of the Traffic Wales website, mobile phone app and various social media platforms.
•To respond to travelling public enquiries and complaints through social media, telephone or email.
•To ensure that the service is operated in line with statutory requirements and to promote cooperation between the Traffic Management Centres in Coryton and Conwy.
•To write, edit and review content for the TWS communication channels including the website, news releases and social media accounts, ensuring that they are high quality, suitable for the target audience, accessible and useful.
•To assist with the development and content management of the Traffic Wales website and user engagement channels.
Performance Management
•To carry out audits of Traffic Wales web pages and mobile phone application, using analytics to make recommendations.
Project Management
•To lead on specific communications projects in line with the TWS’ strategic priorities. e.g. contingency communications for adverse weather events, road safety initiatives and tunnel maintenance.
•To establish, grow and manage emerging TWS communication channels to disseminate reliable, timely and bilingual information in order to have a significant positive impact on the effective management of the strategic road network.
•To assist with the development and implementation of effective communication campaigns that help to positively influence road users’ behaviour, grow brand awareness and improve user’s experience.
•To support delivery of the design, content, and production of all marketing materials.
Statutory Compliance
To ensure TWS compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Freedom of Information Act, other legislative requirements, Welsh Government / Agent policies and procedures.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
To foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. In this context, to monitor technological and other developments in the industry, including new methods, with the aim of adopting best practice wherever appropriate.
To co-operate and liaise with staff from other Departments of the Council, and Partner Authorities in order to promote the effective management of the Agent and the Directorate.
To assist other Agent staff in fulfilling their technical, financial and administrative duties.
To ascertain and hold the latest information regarding:
•standards, technical developments and computerisation
•current best practice in relation to communications
Other managerial, administrative, technical and professional duties commensurate with the status of the post.
•Responsibility for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
•Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•To form part of the on-duty rota and to provide cover for shift rotas as required.
•Requirement to work hours which are outside normal working hours as required
•To assist Agent operational staff in dealing with the communication aspect of emergencies and adverse weather events if required.
•There will be a requirement to travel to Agent offices within the Agent area as well as occasionally to the South Wales Traffic management centre at Coryton, Cardiff.
•Occasional attendance at events e.g. Royal Welsh Show including evenings and weekends as required.