Job title: Assistant Transport Planner – Active Travel Projects
Salary: SO2 £37,280 - £39,152
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House, Leeds
As an Assistant Travel Planner (Active Travel Projects) in the Travel Behaviour Change (TBC) Team you will have a passion for walking, wheeling or cycling and will utilise your knowledge and experience to plan and deliver behaviour change activities which promote active modes of transport. You will be involved in projects such as Leeds City Bikes, e-cargo bike trials and school streets. You will be helping to ensure transport in Leeds is accessible, sustainable and that future generations of Leeds residents have an affordable, zero carbon choice in how they travel to meet the vision of our Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy.
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 valuesand ambitions.
About you
As an Assistant Transport Planner in Active Travel Projects, you will bring to the role:
- Experience working in the field of active travel
- Ability to promote safe sustainable travel initiatives with enthusiasm and persuasion
- Experience of working effectively with others to deliver projects
- Ability to write reports, correspondence and other written materials
- Experience of working effectively with others to deliver projects
About the role
As our next Assistant Transport Planner working within the Active Travel Projects team, you will have the opportunity to be involved in all stages of development, delivery and evaluation of our projects. You will be able to see and feel the difference you are making for individuals, groups, communities and the whole district. The role will have a blend of desk-based activities, working from the office at least 2 days per week, as well as visiting sites and working within, and for, key communities on the ground. Delivering events and campaigns can be one of the most rewarding parts of the role. Our office environment is open plan which enables collaboration within the team and across the wider Highways and Transport service to further knowledge and understanding of the sector and emerging trends.
The role is integral to our Travel Behaviour Changeteam within Highways and Transportation. The Travel Behaviour Change team consists of 20 people who have a broad skillset and varied backgrounds. The team have an enthusiastic and collaborative approach to our work, utilising individual skill sets to support the wider objectives of the team and our work in safe and sustainable travel.
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 benefitsto help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form
Read our guidancefor further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Chris Kirby, Active Travel Projects Team Leader. Call 0113 3781055 or email christopher.kirby@leeds.gov.uk.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
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.
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 visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose
To coordinate and support the delivery of measures to promote safe and sustainable travel through travel planning, education, events and campaigns. The post will carry responsibility for a range of project work with stakeholders, organisations, schools and businesses across the district including behaviour change work on infrastructure projects.
Responsibilities
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
The post holder will work within the Travel Behaviour Change team (TBC) and their responsibilities will be focused on the priorities of the group they are allocated to (Active Travel Projects). However, the post holder should be able to work flexibly to respond to the needs of the wider TBC team as required.
- Assist the Active Travel Projects Team Leader in the delivery and management of the Leeds City Bikes public e-bike hire scheme.
- Day-to-day management of the delivery of the Bikeability cycle training programme in Leeds and contract management of the scheme delivered by a local training provider.
- Promoting and facilitating e-cargo bike trials for businesses and families across the district ensuring that customers receive high quality advice and support through all stages of the trial.
- Organising and attending local active travel engagement events including cycle maintenance sessions, BikeRegister cycle marking and cycle training.
- Support the scoping, costing and delivery of behaviour change interventions, supporting major infrastructure projects to promote safe and sustainable travel
- The post holder should be able to work flexibly to respond to the needs of the wider TBC team as required, for example: Take a leading role in the development and delivery of safe road user behaviour and sustainable travel events, campaigns and training to children and adults in a range of educational settings, businesses and in the wider community typically including:
- National, regional campaigns
- Education including school assemblies, classroom, playground and off site-based lessons
- Programmes such as School Streets, Vision Zero and SMoTS
- Assist with the development of educational/engagement resources for a variety of audiences.
- Participate in the preparation of communications and messaging to promote safe and sustainable travel choices and initiatives.
- Build and develop partnerships with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, partner authorities, appropriate networks and organisations to assist in development and delivery of safe and sustainable travel initiatives.
- Assist with delivery of programmes by external partners (such as Bikeability, WYCA, Living Streets, Modeshift, Sustrans etc)
- Assist with data collection and maintaining databases used to record/store/monitor data including:
- Delivery of Bikeability training by the delivery partner
- Key performance indicators for contracts including Leeds City Bikes and Bikeability
- Carry out site visits across the district as required.
- Assist with the setup of equipment at events e.g. furniture, materials, small ‘pop up’ tents / gazeboes and equipment and dismantle and store equipment in a safe and methodical manner.
- Respond to enquiries and liaise with appropriate contacts throughout the department, Council and similar bodies.
- In accordance with staff development procedures supervise Project Assistants/ Apprentices and to provide appropriate support, resources and training for staff.
- Deputise as necessary and undertake any other duties within the team as workloads and priorities demand at a level appropriate to the grade of the post.
- Understand and work within the Council’s health and safety policies and practice, taking responsibility for both personal safety and that of colleagues and the public.
- Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
Qualifications
Essential requirements
Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
- E1Either an HNC/D or equivalent level qualification in a relevant field, or extensive and comparable experience.
- E2 Meet the criteria to qualify for a Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate.
- E3 Hold a current driver’s licence or be able to travel around Leeds effectively.
- E4 Knowledge of relevant national, regional and local strategy policy, strategy and guidance.
- E5 Knowledge of relevant national, regional and local safe road user behaviour, sustainable travel events and campaigns.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- E6 Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behavioursand codes of conduct.
- E7 Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambitionof Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- E8 Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- E9 Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- E10 Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- E11 Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- E12 Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- E13 Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- E14 Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- E15 Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- E16 The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Essential skills
- E17 Ability to write reports, correspondence and other written materials.
- E18 Ability to use online platforms and Microsoft 365 software and apps e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams etc.
- E19 The ability to contribute to projects and programmes that aim to deliver travel behaviour change, facilitate and support safe and sustainable travel.
- E20 Ability to promote safe sustainable travel initiatives with enthusiasm and persuasion.
- E21 Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to different audiences.
- E22 Ability to lead and motivate others to achieve results.
- E23 Ability to resolve conflict and to solve problems positively and appropriately.
Essential experience
- E24 Experience working in the field of active travel
- E25 Experience developing and implementing safe and sustainable travel initiatives and events
- E26 Experience using data to inform, develop, implement and review projects.
- E27 Experience of working effectively with others to deliver projects.
Essential behavioural and other characteristics
- E28 Be flexible, innovative and open to new ideas to changing needs and circumstances.
- E29 Be committed to your own personal development and learning.
- E30 Be enthusiastic about making a difference and improving road safety and reducing road casualties in Leeds.
- E31 Consider the Council’s policies and Core Values when carrying out the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
- E32 Be willing to carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies.
- E33 Be willing to abide by the Council’s equal opportunities policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
- E34 Willing to work unsociable hours including evenings and weekends when required.
- E35 Ability to promote a professional image of self, the department and the Council.
- E36 Willing to abide by the Councils Safeguarding Policy
Desirable requirements
Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Desirable knowledge/Qualifications
- D1 Knowledge of the local transport planning process
- D2 An appreciation of the factors which influence decisions about safe and sustainable travel and journey planning
- D3 Have an understanding of the National Curriculum/education system.
Desirable experience
- D4 Experience of supervising and motivating others.
- D5 Experience of working with members of the public/schools/businesses or other organisations.
- D6 Experience of project management.
- D7 Experience preparing basic Risk Assessments.
Location
The role is currently based in Merrion House, Leeds but may involve working:
- In Primary and Secondary schools, and other educational establishments
- In a range of other settings such as businesses, community hubs and at public events
- Occasionally in outdoors settings e.g. site visits, events and training
- Working from home
