Passenger Transport Driver

Leeds City Council; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity in Leeds is looking for a Driver/Escort to transport vulnerable clients safely. The role requires a valid D1 driving licence and includes flexible working hours. You'll play a crucial part in ensuring the wellbeing of passengers while having opportunities for career progression and training. Benefits include competitive salary and generous pension contributions.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave entitlement

Membership of West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Hold a D1 licence for driving
• Good communication skills and teamwork ability
• Available for split shifts, 30 hours weekly
• Caring and approachable attitude for passengers
• Understanding of health and safety responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Transport vulnerable clients, ensuring their safety
• Operate flexible transport services
• Assist service users and manage timely arrivals
• Participate in day center outings and other activities
• Perform vehicle maintenance and cleanliness checks

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Flexible to service needs

Caring attitude

Physical ability

Education

Hold a valid D1 driving licence

Job description

Job title

Driver/Escort

Salary

B1 GBP 24,480 - GBP 25,183 pro rata

Hours

30

Contract

Permanant (52 weeks and Term time only)

Location

Westland Road LS11 5SB

Overview

As a driver you will provide a safe and supportive transport experience to vulnerable clients, older people, children who are in care, and children and young people with varying degrees of learning, emotional and physical difficulties.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

As a Driver you will bring to the role:

• Hold a D1 licence
• Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Available to work on a split shift between core hours of 7-10am and 2-5pm, 30hrs weekly
• Flexible to the changing needs of the service
• Approachable and caring attitude offering a warm welcome to passengers, families, carers and staff
• A good understanding of your responsibilities in regard of Health and safety
• An enhanced DBS will be required
• A good level of physical ability is needed

About The Role

As our next driver, you will join a team that transports over 4,000 passengers to school/college or centres daily. We currently employ over 240 drivers, and our team is growing due to increased demand for our service. You will be integral in supporting passengers ensuring their safety and wellbeing while on transport. You will enjoy working with people; your approachability, warmth and enthusiasm will contribute positively to our passenger's day. You will need to support passengers on and off transport, so a good level of physical ability will be required.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How To Apply

Complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Karen Stroud, Resources scheduler, or Wendy Crower, Service manager. Call 0113 3760100 option 2 or email [e-mail] or [e-mail].

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children or Adults barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

Equal Opportunity and Eligibility

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least 38,700 per year or meet other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Purpose of Job
To be able to drive, hold a valid driving licence, transporting some of the most vulnerable people of Leeds from their own homes to various locations throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Transporting older people, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health problems and people with learning difficulties from home to centres and luncheon clubs as required, including assisting service users between home and the vehicle, and ensuring that the service user home is left safe and secure.
• Operate a flexible transport service in relation to arrival and departure times in accordance with agreements between the Transport Manager and Day Centre Managers and to respond to changes in circumstances at short notice.
• Participate with Day Centre staff in outings to various locations as required e.g. trips, shopping, theatre, etc.
• Undertake recreational based activities at Day Centre which provide stimulation and interest to the members.
• Deliver Community meals, ensuring the collection and recording of cash payments as required.
• Delivery of stationery, goods and materials including loading and unloading as required.
• Clean and washing of vehicles with appropriate machinery and equipment, routine daily and weekly maintenance and safety checks on vehicles and completion of appropriate logs and records as required.
• To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Fleet Deployment Manager.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities

Relation ships

The postholder will be expected to work under their own initiative but also as a member of a team maintaining a close working relationship with other colleagues, service users, carers and other agencies/professionals.

Physical Conditions

The transport section is located at Westland Road, Beeston, Leeds 11. Leeds City Council operates a non-smoking policy; however, the postholder may be required to visit establishments or service users homes where other people may smoke. The post holder will be required to undertake a variety of manual handling and lifting tasks e.g. wheelchairs etc. All posts are subject to an Enhanced police check.

Social Conditions

The Department provides Day Care transport seven days per week; therefore, it is essential that all resources are flexible regarding changes to hours or areas of work. There may be a requirement to work on bank holidays. Most positions available will be appointed on a split shift basis, this is to ensure our core business times of a.m.'s and p.m.'s are provided.

Economic Conditions

During your employment with the Council your terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with collective agreements negotiated from time to time by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services, as set out in the Scheme of Conditions of Service as supplemented by local collective agreements reached with trade unions recognised by the Council and by the rules of the Council.

Prospects

Promotion: While no guarantee can be given to subsequent promotion, there are currently a number of higher-graded posts within the Division which potentially provide the opportunity for career progression within the Department. Any subsequent vacancies will be filled in compliance with agreed Council procedures.

Training

The Department has a positive commitment to the training and development of employees in all areas of its activities. Similarly, employees are also expected to adopt a positive attitude to any training provided and to their own personal development.

Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required.

Employee Specification

Detailed below are the types of skills, experience and knowledge which are required of applicants applying for the post. The Essential Requirements indicate the minimum requirements and applicants lacking these attributes will not be considered for the post. The points detailed under Desirable Requirements are additional attributes to enable the applicant to perform the position more effectively or with little or no training. They are not essential but may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

• To be able to drive, holding a valid D1 driving licence, whilst keeping to a route schedule, ensuring passenger safety at all times.
• Ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally with service users, parents, carers and staff in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Sympathetic to and understand the needs of the service user.
• Ability to use own initiative to resolve minor problems.
• Writing skills sufficient to fill in log sheets, reports etc.
• Flexibility regarding changing of hours or areas of work.
• Ability to undertake moving and handling tasks i.e. manoeuvring of wheelchair users to and from the vehicle.

Behavioural And Other Job-Related Characteristics

• Ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policies.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under the Council Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

Desirable

• To hold an appropriate MIDAS certificate

Experience

• Of working with people in a caring capacity.
• Of working with people with a disability.
• Of driving a large vehicle in Leeds or other large cities.
• Of working within a team.
• Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.

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