Graduate Transport Planner - REQ000430

Job title: Graduate Transport Planner

Salary: SO1-PO2 £32,076.00 - £40,221.00 (pay award pending)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB. Hybrid working available.

Leeds is the UK’s fastest growing city and is the main driver of a city region with a £70 billion economy and a combined population of 3 million. The Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy sets out a bold ambition to create a city where you don’t need a car, and where everyone has an affordable, low carbon, healthy and accessible choice in how they travel. As a Graduate Transport Planner, you will play an important role in the delivery of this ambition, by contributing to the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of highways infrastructure schemes, strategies, and policies.

This is an exciting time to join our team as we seek to deliver on the ambitions of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy by building on the progress of the past ten years. Over 60km of new segregated cycle lanes have been installed since Leeds hosted le grand depart in 2014. In the last few years we have seen the completion of world class city centre gateways at the Corn Exchange, The Headrow and Park Row alongside the delivery of new cycle superhighways and public transport enhancements.

The successful candidate will need to have a passion for delivering a safe, inclusive and sustainable transport network.

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 Graduate Transport Planner, you will bring to the role:

An appreciation of the role and function of transport planning and engineering in the delivery of a sustainable transport system.
A degree or equivalent level qualification.
Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
Experience of collecting, using, analysing and interpreting data and information.
Commitment to achieving equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.

About the role

As a Graduate Transport Planner, you will have a varied role which is likely to include supporting the development and delivery of highways schemes, supporting the development of transport strategies and policies, monitoring the impacts of schemes and strategies, and supporting public consultation exercises. Through this work, you will support the delivery of improved public transport, improved infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling, and of a safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable transport network.

You will join an experienced and supportive team, working within the Transport Strategy service, which forms part of the Highways & Transportation directorate.

Appointment may be at either SO1 or PO2 grade, depending on experience, as set out in the job description. If appointed at SO1, progression to PO2 will again be dependent on meeting the relevant criteria set out in the job description. Subject to satisfactory performance, your salary will also rise by annual increments up to the maximum of your grade within the National Joint Council Pay Scales.

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
Subject to existing qualifications, opportunity to study for a Master’s Degree in Transport Planning at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, funded by Leeds City Council (study time allowance provided).
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 guidance for 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 Morgan Tatchell-Evans, Team Leader Transport Planning. Call 0113 3783655 or email morgan.tatchellevans@leeds.gov.uk.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

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

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose To work as a member of a team of transport planners engaged on the research, development and implementation of transport policies, strategies and programmes.

Responsibilities

A Graduate Transport Planner’s principal accountabilities and responsibilities will include those listed below. Appointment to, and progression within the role will consider the degree of training and experience achieved in line with the ‘Essential Requirements’ and ‘Additional Requirements’ detailed below, with ultimate decisions regarding progression to the PO2 Pay Scale to be made by the relevant Head of Service.

Principal Accountabilities

To support the delivery of best value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council’s Best City Ambition and comply with government standards.
To undertake the delivery of projects and strategies as part of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy.
Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects.
To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate continuous professional development (CPD) programmes.
Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
To abide by the Council’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
Take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, members of the public and other stakeholders in accordance with the Best City Ambition.
To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government.
Ensuring that information and administrative systems are up to date and properly maintained.
Ensure that procedures and systems are consistently followed and applied, kept up to date and to advise on appropriate changes.
Recording and distribution of incoming information as required.
Maintain positive and productive team relationships, encouraging initiative, innovation and effective communication.
Deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working and the acceptance of responsibility.

Specific Responsibilities

Assist the Council and its partners in the development, delivery and review of the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan and Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy.
Assist in the development and implementation of the Council’s transport policies and programmes, including inputs to the Local Plan.
Assist in the preparation of project briefs for transport schemes and studies.
Assist in project development, and management of transport projects and assignments by self, other members of the team and consultants.
Assist with the presentation of transport data and information, producing accurate and timely reports.
To support the development and submission of transport funding bids and project proposals.
To undertake the research and analysis of transport and highways policy issues to assist in the development and implementation of transport policies, initiatives and new innovations.
Assist in planning and undertaking site surveys and inspections.
To support and contribute to partnership working both within the Council and external bodies, in particular with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
Assist in monitoring of highway and transport schemes and initiatives, and support the evaluation of Council and Partners’ performance.
Assist in the running of the Council’s transport models to support appraisal and business case preparation.
To undertake any other duties of a similar nature and responsibility as workloads and priorities demand at a level appropriate to the grade of the post.

Additional Responsibilities for Grade PO2

To undertake a leading role in the development, commissioning and delivery of transport projects and policies.
To prepare specifications and project briefs for transportation and highways infrastructure schemes and other transport initiatives.
Assist in developing and supporting continuous improvement practices and contribute to their implementation.
To support the detailed analysis of complex transport policy and strategy issues, data and information.
To provide consultation, interpretation and specialist advice to the department and other bodies on behalf of the team.
To represent the Team Leader where appropriate and support the organisation, administration and management of the work programme.
To assist in the management of the operation and development of the Council’s transport models.

Qualifications

A degree or equivalent level qualification.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Requirements for appointment to Scale SO1:

Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
Awareness of the role and function of transport planning and engineering in the delivery of a sustainable transport system.
Ability to actively identify problems and suggest solutions.
Ability to manage competing priorities whilst meeting deadlines and working accurately on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
A degree or equivalent level qualification.
Awareness of the information sources, collection and research techniques in the transport planning or engineering field.
Awareness of current local transport issues as they affect local authorities.
Understanding of transport planning and the development of sustainable transport policies.
Experience of collecting, using, analysing and interpreting data and information.
Experience of preparing and presenting reports.
Experience of using standard IT packages such as MS Office.
Ability to promote a professional image of self, the department and the Council.
Commitment to own personal development and learning.
Commitment to achieving equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
Understanding of employees’ responsibility for health and safety.
Ability to manage conflicting views and priorities within working relationships.
Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence, working with professional and technical staff from within the Council and outside bodies.
Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.

Additional requirements for appointment to Scale PO2:

Demonstrable experience in transport planning/ engineering or a similar role relevant to the duties of this post.
An understanding of the information sources, collection and research techniques in the transport planning and engineering fields.
Understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a local highway and transport authority.
Knowledge and understanding of transport planning and the development of sustainable transport policies.
Knowledge of the latest developments in transport policy and planning.
Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put them into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
Ability to locate, evaluate, organise and present complex information clearly, both in writing and orally to a variety of people.
Knowledge of the range of transport modelling and appraisal techniques.
Knowledge and understanding of the practical application of transport modelling techniques.
Ability to plan the undertaking of, and review the results of, transport modelling.
Ability to plan and undertake project development, appraisal and project tasks.
Ability to contribute to the analysis and solution of complex transport and highways development planning issues.
Experience of carrying out complex data analysis and interpretation.
Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
Knowledge of the Local Transport Plan system and funding framework.
Knowledge and understanding of the spatial planning system and Local Development Frameworks.
Awareness of highway and traffic engineering design and procedures.
Awareness of the principles of project management.
Experience of managing projects, in the development and implementation of transport/highway schemes.
Knowledge of the techniques and processes for monitoring the impacts of transport policy measures and improvement schemes.
Experience of working effectively with others to deliver multi-disciplinary projects.
Experience in the use of project appraisal and evaluation methods.
Experience in the preparation of project briefs.
Experience of public consultation and the techniques used for effective engagement with groups and individuals relevant to the transport sector.
Experience of developing funding bids and project business cases.
Ability to liaise confidently and effectively within the section and with other professional staff across the department and partner organisations.
Awareness of the health and safety responsibilities specific to the role of a client for design and construction works.
A master’s degree/ post-graduate diploma in transport planning would be considered as a significant contribution to demonstrating the achievement of the requirements for appointment to Scale PO2.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

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
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
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 comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
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.
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.

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