Transport Planner

Leeds City Council; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Leeds is looking for a Transport Planner to support the delivery of transport planning projects focusing on active travel and accessibility. The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of experience in transport planning, strong communication skills, and a relevant degree. This position offers hybrid working arrangements and various staff benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave entitlement

Membership of West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Clear career pathway and professional development

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in transport planning or related.
• Strong communication and analytical skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of local transport policy and design for cyclists.
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant field required.

Responsibilities

• Support policies and projects promoting sustainable transport.
• Coordinate design and implementation of transport schemes.
• Manage active travel KPIs and prepare reports.
• Assist in the management of funding bids and project proposals.
• Develop working relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Transport planning experience

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

AutoCAD

GIS

Job description

Overview

As our next Transport Planner, you will play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of a range of transport planning projects, with a particular focus on active travel and accessibility. You will use your knowledge, expertise and skills to support the delivery of our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and capital programme of active travel schemes across the city. The role is integral to our Active Travel and Accessibility team which identifies the pipeline of active travel improvements required in Leeds, takes active travel schemes forward for delivery and facilitates improvements to help residents who need improved access in Leeds. As a member of our Transport Strategy service and the Active Travel and Accessibility team, the post holder will play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of a range of transport planning projects, with a particular focus on active travel and accessibility. The post holder will support the Principal Transport Planner, the Team Leader and relevant Project Managers in the preparation and implementation of transport policies and initiatives relating to sustainable transport including cycling, walking, access and mobility. The post holder will take specific individual responsibility for elements of the project portfolio including the development, programming and monitoring of the active travel infrastructure programme.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of policies and projects which promote sustainable transport.
• Provide technical consultation, interpretation and advice to the department and other bodies relative to current active travel legislation and guidance concerning the highway.
• Coordinate and support engineering staff engaged in the design and implementation of sustainable transport, access and mobility schemes.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
• Prepare presentations and organise events as appropriate within and external to the Authority, in particular with regard to issues of active travel.
• Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focusing on equality of outcome.
• Promote, demonstrate and evidence the Council's values and expected behaviours through your own role and through the work of the service.
• Manage all active travel KPIs relating to infrastructure.
• Prepare specifications, project briefs for transportation and feasibility studies and other transport initiatives.
• Prepare reports and responses to letters and enquiries.
• Assist in scheme appraisal and evaluation including the development of business cases, funding bids and project proposals.
• Assist in the management and delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure investment plans, leading on the agreed active travel priorities within the programme.
• Undertake any other transport planning duties within the Service Area as workloads and priorities demand at a level appropriate to the grade of the post.
• Manage a defined activity or a small range of the Department's activities to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council's Corporate Plan and comply with Government Standards.
• Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting the Service Management Team.
• Work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in transport planning (or related) with a passion for active travel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and across disciplines.
• Ability to take responsibility for tasks and workstreams under supervision and to develop transport planning expertise further.
• Knowledge of local transport policy and planning, design for cyclists and pedestrians, and inclusive mobility needs.
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant field; a postgraduate qualification in transport planning or an accredited professional qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Demonstrable experience in planning and organising workload, managing projects, and engaging in public consultation.
• Ability to interpret plans, maps, technical documents and prepare simple plans; computer literacy (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with AutoCAD and GIS is advantageous.
• Knowledge of highways and traffic engineering principles, including LTN 1/20.
• Experience in policy development, business cases, funding bids and multi-disciplinary project delivery; experience with WYCA Assurance Process is desirable.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution is desirable.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement and delivering the Council's strategic ambitions (Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Zero Carbon).
• Ability to work within policies and procedures, with emphasis on health, safety and wellbeing.
• Willingness to participate in appraisal, training and development to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships, be flexible and adaptable to change, and work collaboratively or independently with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discrimination; ability to recognise and challenge incidences of harassment or abuse.
• Willingness to work within the Council's flexibility protocol and to use software tools such as AutoCAD and GIS to support network design and schemes.

Benefits

• Leeds City Council is one of the region’s largest employers with generous terms including 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.
• Clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities, including support on the Transport Planning Society's Professional Development Scheme (PDS) / CTPP qualifications.
• A range of staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial wellbeing.
• Please ensure you are eligible to work in the UK before applying; visa sponsorship information is provided for eligible roles.