Traffic warden Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a traffic warden, your work would involve:

• monitoring the use of parking meters, controlled parking zones and one-way systems
• checking for infringements of waiting restrictions and on the loading and unloading of goods
• reporting parking offences
• issuing fixed penalty notices to offenders
• checking that vehicles are displaying up to date motor vehicle licences (tax discs)
• assisting the police in keeping a look out for stolen vehicles
• arranging for vehicles to be clamped, or removed by the police to a parking pound if necessary.

In some police forces your work would include dealing with anti-social behaviour. This can mean combining the role of traffic warden with that of community support officer (see police community support officer profile).

• police community support officer

You could occasionally be called to give evidence against offenders in court.

Hours

You would usually work a shift system, including weekends, between 6.30am and 8pm.

You would spend most of the day working outdoors in all weather conditions, and in the dust, noise and fumes of traffic. You may work in a different location each day. You would wear a uniform and be equipped with a personal radio in case of emergency.

On occasion, you may face hostility from the public.

Income

Traffic wardens can earn around £14,000 to £25,000 a year.

A shift allowance may be paid on top of this.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

In most regions you will not need any particular qualifications, although some employers may ask for GCSEs (A-C) including English. You may have to pass a written entrance test in English and in some areas there may also be a maths test.

You should be in good health and you may have to take a medical examination. You may not be accepted if you have visible tattoos. For some employers you will need to be a British citizen and/or live in the local area.

You are likely to have an advantage if you have experience of working with the public and coping with difficult situations.

It is important to contact your local police force for exact entry details (as these can vary from region to region) and also to check if vacancies exist. In many areas, local authorities are taking over responsibility for enforcing traffic regulations, and employing civil enforcement officers to carry out these duties (see the civil enforcement officer job profile for details).

• civil enforcement officer

Training and development

You will usually receive on-the-job training, under the supervision of an experienced colleague or from a police officer. This will usually include:

• traffic regulations
• completing and issuing tickets for parking offences
• methods of note taking and writing short reports
• procedures and practices for giving evidence in court
• health and safety issues, including basic first aid and dealing with aggression.

In some regions you may attend a special introductory course with other new recruits. In major cities, you may attend a training course at a police training centre.

You will often have access to training on issues such as handling anti-social behaviour, and coping with aggressive motorists.

Skills and knowledge

To be a traffic warden you should have:

• a positive and friendly attitude
• assertiveness and common sense
• initiative to cope with unexpected situations
• the ability to understand and apply written and spoken instructions
• the ability to think clearly and react sensibly under pressure
• patience, tact and a sense of humour
• a good level of fitness
• the ability to form good working relationships with the police and other colleagues.

More information

Police Service Recruitment
http://policerecruitment.homeoffice.gov.uk

Metropolitan Police Service
www.met.police.uk/

Opportunities

The number of vacancies for traffic wardens is in decline. In many areas, local authorities have taken over responsibility for enforcing traffic, motoring and parking regulations from the Police. Local authorities employ civil enforcement officers (previously known as parking attendants) who have similar, but narrower, areas of responsibility (see the civil enforcement officer profile).

You may find jobs advertised in the local press and Jobcentre Plus offices. You could also contact your local police force directly for details of job vacancies or check their website. Many forces also produce a jobs bulletin. You can search for your local force on the Police.uk website.

• Police.uk

With experience, you may have the opportunity for promotion to warden supervisor or manager in forces where these roles still exist.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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