Development Management Officer - Highways WMF3180e

The Cumbria County Council; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave

Discount schemes

Job summary

Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a Development Management Officer - Highways to join our Highway Development and Adoptions Team in Barrow. The role involves leading on specialist highway areas, preparing technical responses, and securing Section 106 contributions for resilience improvements.

You will assess planning applications affecting highways, review statements and plans, and engage with communities and partners to promote collaborative working. Driving license is essential.

Qualifications

• An experienced and motivated highway or civil engineering professional with a relevant degree or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Strong understanding of highway mechanisms, Traffic Management and Active Travel requirements.
• Experience in preparing statutory planning consultations.
• Experience working with multi‑agency partners and leading technical or community task groups.
• Ability to understand technical drawings and produce clear written and verbal reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on specialist areas depending on experience—such as highways in new developments, or stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare technical responses, advise on mitigation measures, and help secure Section 106 contributions and funding for resilience improvements.
• Assess planning applications and enquiries that affect highways, providing formal Local Highway Authority responses.
• Review Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans and monitor implementation on development sites.
• Negotiate mitigation measures, financial contributions and infrastructure improvements, including supporting Section 106 and Section 278 drafting and management.
• Provide technical advice on highway policy, guidance, legislation and sustainable highway drainage.
• Engage with communities, partners, technical groups and elected members to promote collaborative working.

Skills

Highways knowledge

Traffic management

Active travel

Stakeholder engagement

Technical reports

Communication skills

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

Job description

Application closing date 01/11/2026 Location Barrow In Furness Salary £44,253 - £45,529 Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time

Job description

Location: Barrow in Furness
Contract Type: Temporary for 36 months

About this opportunity

Westmorland & Furness Council is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Development Management Officer - Highways to join our Highway Development and Adoptions Team

The post directly supports the delivery of major place‑based programmes in Barrow, including Brilliant Barrow and Barrow Rising, contributing to long‑term regeneration, resilience, and infrastructure improvement across the area.

This role supports the Council’s range of highway development management functions, including:

• Assessing planning applications and enquiries that affect highways, providing formal Local Highway Authority responses.
• Reviewing Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans and monitoring implementation on development sites.
• Negotiate mitigation measures, financial contributions and infrastructure improvements, including supporting Section 106 and Section 278 drafting and management.
• Provide technical advice on highway policy, guidance, legislation and sustainable highway drainage.
• Engage with communities, partners, technical groups and elected members to promote collaborative working.

You will lead on specialist areas depending on experience—such as highways in new developments, or stakeholder engagement. A key part of the role involves preparing technical responses, advising on mitigation measures, and helping secure Section 106 contributions and funding for resilience improvements.

Who we are looking for…

You will be an experienced and motivated highway or civil engineering professional with:

• A relevant degree or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Strong understanding of highway mechanisms, Traffic Management and Active Travel requirements.
• Experience in preparing statutory planning consultations.
• Experience working with multi‑agency partners and leading technical or community task groups.
• Ability to understand technical drawings and produce clear written and verbal reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills.

Desirable:

• Experience using AutoCAD and GIS software.

Essential:

• Valid driving licence (regular site visits required).

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

Please note: If the Post Specification for this vacancy states that a UK driving licence is required, non-UK driving licences with entitlement to drive vehicles in the UK will also be accepted.

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Helen Renyard Senior Lead Officer – Flood and Coastal Risk Management on [e-mail]

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 01/11/2026

Interview date: 10/11/2026

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at [e-mail].

For guidance on the recruitment process, FAQs, and useful tips for completing your application, please visit: Our Approach to Recruitment | Careers

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.