Job title: Senior Highways Development Engineer
Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
Would you like to support safe and sustainable development in Leeds? We have an exciting opportunity in the Transport Development Services Team, within the Highways and Transportation Service of Leeds City Council . You would manage a small team assessing the impact of a wide variety of development proposals on the highways network and promoting safe and sustainable transport options and opportunities for developments. You should have a degree or equivalent level qualification relevant to transport planning / civil engineering and experience relevant to the post.
The post is full time (37 hours a week) with flexible/hybrid working, based at Merrion House in Leeds City Centre.
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 Senior Highways Development Engineer, you will bring to the role:
- Demonstrable experience in a relevant planning, transport or engineering role
- Strong communication skills and ability to present complex issues clearly and succinctly
- A high degree of numeracy with ability to understand and critically interpret transport and traffic models
- Experience in supervising and developing staff
- A degree or equivalent level qualification relevant to transport planning or civil engineering
About the role
As our next Senior Highways Development Engineer you’ll be part of a team assessing the transport and highways impacts of development proposals though the planning system, supporting Leeds Best City Ambition of Health and Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon by helping to ensure safe and sustainable development.
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
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 John Booth, Principal Highways Development Engineer. Call 0113 336 7349 or email john.booth@leeds.gov.uk
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 supervise a team dealing with all aspects of highways development management including significant developments, input into local plans and the development of design briefs.
Responsibilities:
- Support the Principal Highways Development Engineer in the detailed organisation and administration of staff.
- Deputising for the Principal Highways Development Engineer and/or Project Managers when necessary.
- Respond to consultations and requests for highways development management advice.
- Monitor progress against targets.
- Generate and evaluate potential options and solutions to transport-related problems using traffic models and other analytical tools where appropriate.
- Evaluate existing and potential future transport solutions for development areas and contribute to workshops dealing with the regeneration of the City.
- Liaise with other Council services and outside agencies on development matters.
- Attend formal and informal meetings with Elected Members and members of the public.
- Prepare and present reports for decisions by Elected Member and delegated officers.
- Prepare and present evidence for public inquiries and hearings.
- Undertake site visits to assess development proposals.
- Prepare inputs to Planning/Development Briefs and the Local Plan/LDF process.
- Represent the authority at site visits with members and other meetings to discuss and negotiate in respect of development management (highways and transportation).
- To support the management and monitoring of project budgets and risk.
- To prepare project briefings, reports, press releases and responses to letters and enquiries.
- Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of recruitment and service delivery focussing on equality of outcome.
- Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice.
- To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with Department Health and Safety Policy.
- To undertake any other duties within the Section as workloads and priorities demand at a level appropriate to the grade of the post.
Qualifications
A degree or equivalent level qualification relevant to transport planning / civil engineering.
A post graduate qualification in transport planning / civil engineering and / or an accredited professional qualification is desirable but not essential.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements:
Method Of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.
Skills Required:
- Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
- Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
- Able to communicate and present detailed issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
- An ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems.
- High degree of numeracy able to understand and critically interpret the outputs of transport and traffic models.
- Ability to prioritise workloads to meet often conflicting deadlines.
- Ability to prepare and present Panel and Board reports.
- Ability to prepare appeal statements and present evidence at hearings and public inquiries.
Knowledge Required:
- A degree or equivalent level qualification relevant to transport planning or civil engineering.
- Knowledge of transport planning and the latest policy developments and innovations related to the duties of the post.
- Knowledge of the principles of highways and traffic engineering design and standards.
- Understanding of the highways and road traffic legislation and regulations as they relate to Planning and the management of developments.
Experience Required:
- Demonstrable experience in a planning, transport or engineering role relevant to the duties of this post.
- Experience of relevant project working within local authority, public or business sector organisations.
- Experience in assessment of planning applications and/or transport/development proposals.
- Experienced in supervising and developing staff.
Behavioural and Other Related Characteristics Required:
- Ability to provide constructive problem solving.
- Ability to develop productive working relationships and to work with a range of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
- Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of complex projects and adapting to changing circumstances and service priorities.
- Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates:
Knowledge Required:
- Knowledge and understanding of transport modelling and appraisal techniques.
- Understanding of the planning system and its relationship to transport planning and policy making.
- A post graduate qualification in transport planning/ civil engineering and / or an accredited professional qualification is desirable but not essential.
Experience Required:
- Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
- Experience of negotiating preferably in a planning and development environment.
