School Transport Coordination Officer

Torbay Council; Torquay; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay Council invites applications for a School Transport Coordination Officer based in Torquay. You will determine eligibility for school transport, coordinate routes and arrange transport provision with Passenger Assistant support, while responding to disruptions and advising families and schools.

The role balances individual needs with council policy and value for money, supported by IT systems and data management in a hybrid working setup at Torquay Town Hall.

Qualifications

• Interpret and apply policy criteria to transport eligibility.
• Organise competing priorities in a busy transport office.
• Utilise IT tools for data, spreadsheets and databases.
• Negotiate with families, schools and contractors with diplomacy.
• Provide courteous customer service and administrative support.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for school transport and coordinate routes.
• Arrange transport provision and Passenger Assistant support.
• Respond to changing or disrupted travel arrangements.
• Maintain transport and financial information and support procurement.
• Contribute to ongoing review and improvement of transport services.

Skills

Policy interpretation

Organisational skills

IT skills

Communication/diplomacy

Customer service/admin support

Education

A Level / NVQ Level 3

Tools

Capita

Liquid Logic

Job description

School Transport Coordination Officer

Application Deadline: 15 November 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Manager, School Services

Compensation: £32,578 - £35,570 / year

Description

Are you highly organised, confident making balanced decisions and able to remain calm when priorities change quickly? We are looking for a School Transport Coordination Officer to join our School Services team within Children’s Services.

This is an important and varied role helping to ensure that children and young people can access education through safe, suitable and cost-effective transport arrangements.

You will help determine eligibility for school transport, coordinate existing routes and arrange transport provision and Passenger Assistant support. You will also respond to changing or disrupted travel arrangements, work with transport providers and provide clear advice to parents, carers, schools and partner agencies.

The role involves balancing the individual needs of children and families with Council policy, service standards and value for money.

You will maintain accurate transport and financial information, support procurement and contract activity and contribute to the ongoing review and improvement of transport services.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has excellent organisational skills and can manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Can interpret and apply policies fairly and consistently.
• Communicates confidently and diplomatically with families, schools, colleagues and transport providers.
• Can negotiate effectively and make balanced, child-focused decisions.
• Is comfortable using spreadsheets, databases and other digital systems.
• Can work independently, use initiative and respond calmly to unexpected situations.
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Has experience of working in a customer-service or office environment.

Knowledge of school transport, SEND, route planning or systems such as Capita or Liquidlogic would be beneficial.

Why join Torbay Council?

You will join a supportive public-service organisation where your work will make a practical difference to children, young people and families across Torbay.

The role is based at Torquay Town Hall and is eligible for hybrid working, subject to service requirements.

Torbay Council’s wider employment offer includes a minimum of 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, flexible-working opportunities, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, learning and development support, wellbeing services and an employee reward scheme offering discounts with over 800 retailers.

If you are organised, solution-focused and committed to delivering excellent services for children and families, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 23rd November 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however this advert will not close before 11th November 2026 .

Skills

Essential:

• Ability to interpret and implement policy criteria.
• Excellent organisational and time keeping skills, sufficient to deliver a reliable and efficient transport service, and manage conflicting priorities in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Effective standard of IT skills (competent with word processing, spreadsheets, internet navigation, use of databases)
• Effective communication / diplomacy skills including the ability to negotiate with external contractors.
• Understanding of customer service including some administration support skills.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Knowledge of School Transport policy and procedures.
• Basic Knowledge and understanding of SEND.
• Knowledge of route optimisation.
• Knowledge of CAPITA and/ or Liquid Logic.
• In depth understand of SEND and how this can impact transport.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Educated to A Level / NVQ Level 3 standard or relevant experience or willing to reach required level of qualification.
• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Experience working in a customer service area.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced dynamic environment.