Collision Investigation & Prevention Officer

Closing date: 17 June 2026

Salary: £25,989 - £28,142 per annum

Role summary:

You’ll be contributing to the reduction of road traffic collisions and casualties across Somerset. 

You will achieve this by investigating and analysing collision data, then identifying trends and causation. This work will support the development and delivery of evidence-based investigation and prevention initiatives.

This will help create and contribute to important internal policies, including the Local Transport Plan and the Road Safety Strategy.

This is an important role which will help us create some of our most important road safety policy, with the clear outcomes of reducing collisions and casualties across the region. If you want to be a part of this and you feel you have the right qualifications for this role, then we would love to hear from you.

What you’ll do - key responsibilities:

• Carry out detailed collision analysis at specific sites or across local highway networks.
• Visit collision sites to conduct conflict studies.
• Undertake supplementary analysis of highways and traffic speeds to build a full understanding of collision risk.
• Provide technical analysis, professional advice and practical recommendations, working collaboratively with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Assist with the formulation of the Road Safety and Collision Investigation and Prevention Policy.

What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills:

Essential

• Knowledge of road safety principles, collision causation and prevention techniques.
• Understanding of collision data sources, analysis methods and interpretation of trends, including GIS and spatial analysis.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements relevant to highway and site-based work.
• Experience of analysing data and presenting findings in a clear, structured manner.
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners.
• Experience of producing written reports, recommendations or briefings.
• HNC/HND in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training as required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• IT skills including use of Microsoft Office applications and data systems.

Desirable

• Knowledge of local authority highway functions and statutory duties relating to road safety.
• Knowledge of national road safety guidance, standards and best practice.
• Understanding of transport planning or traffic engineering principles.
• Experience of working with road collision or casualty data, using detailed collision investigation principles, including fatal collisions and contributory elements, and human factors
• Experience within a local authority, public sector or including working on live carriageways in a highways environment.
• Experience of supporting or delivering road safety initiatives or schemes.
• Relevant qualification in road safety, transport, data analysis or a related discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Ability to use specialist collision analysis or mapping software.
• Presentation skills for stakeholder or community engagement.
• Experience of contributing to policy development or strategy.
• Advanced data handling or statistical skills.

Additional Information: 

• This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week.
• Flexible and hybrid working (1-2 days per week in the office).
• 25 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
• Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Nick Cowling, Service Manager Transport Data, Road Safety & Traffic Control, via email at nick.cowling@somerset.gov.uk.

A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request via recruitment@somerset.gov.uk quoting reference 914/AB.