Senior Transport Planner (Mass Transit) - Req25003

Job title:        Senior Transport Planner (Mass Transit)
Salary:           PO4 £43,421 -  £46,464
Hours:           37 hours
Contract:       Full time
Location:       Merrion House with requirement to work in WYCA project office. Hybrid working available.

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

To support the Head of Transport Strategy and Head of Mass Transit Design and/or Principal Transport Planner in the development and implementation of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit programme. Working as part of a joint team with WYCA to ensure the programme delivers for the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, Best Council vision, Council policies and West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partner authorities with regards to the Local Transport Plan/West Yorkshire Transport Strategy (WYTS).

This is an exciting infrastructure programme which provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something that will fundamentally change public transport provision within Leeds and the wider region.

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 Senior Transport Planner (Mass Transit), you will bring to the role:

• Experience of being responsible for workstreams within the development and implementation of Mass Transit in line with the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, West Yorkshire Transport Strategy, regional policies and the Council’s transport programmes.
• Experience of providing technical consultation, interpretation and specialist transportation advice to the department and other bodies on behalf of the team.
• Experience of evaluating and developing transport and highway project business cases, funding bids and project proposals as necessary.
• Ability to support the management and monitoring of project budgets and risk.
• Experience of contributing to transportation policy advice and inputs to the development of spatial planning policy and the Local Development Framework relevant to Mass Transit.

About the role
As Senior Transport Planner (Mass Transit) you will have specific responsibility for workstreams within the development and implementation of Mass Transit.  The post holder will input across a portfolio of Mass Transit projects covering strategy development, policy appraisal, transport studies, street design, project and programme development and co-ordination within a wider development, planning and regeneration context.

The role is important to our emerging Mass Transit team within the wider Highways and Transportation service capability.

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 an expression of interest of no more than 1000 words.

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 Paul Foster, Transport Strategy Manager via email Paul.Foster@leeds.gov.uk 
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. 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 support the Head of Transport Strategy and Head of Mass Transit Design in the development and implementation of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit programme. Working as part of a joint team with WYCA to ensure the programme delivers for the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, Best Council vision, Council policies and West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partner authorities with regards to the Local Transport Plan/West Yorkshire Transport Strategy (WYTS). 

The post holder will have specific responsibility for workstreams within the development and implementation of Mass Transit.  The post holder will input across a portfolio of Mass Transit projects covering strategy development, policy appraisal, transport studies, street design, project and programme development and co-ordination within an wider development, planning and regeneration context.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Transport Strategy and Head of Mass Transit Design and/or Principal Transport Planner in the detailed organisation and administration of technical staff.
• To represent the service at a level commensurate with the grade of the post.
• To develop a skilled and adaptable team able to respond and react to unit demands as and when required ensuring that staff are fully up to date with legislative and guidance changes and Council(s) policies.
• Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects.
• To maintain effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions and stakeholders in accordance with the good practices of the Council and its partners.
• Provide a courteous, helpful and responsive service to Members, community representatives, the public, stakeholders and business communities to ensure the highest standards of service are met, complaints investigated, and the image of the Council promoted and enhanced.
• To take responsibility for workstreams within the development and implementation of Mass Transit in line with the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, West Yorkshire Transport Strategy, regional policies and the Council’s transport programmes.
• To prepare specifications and project briefs for transport planning studies to support Mass Transit.
• To provide technical consultation, interpretation and specialist transportation advice to the department and other bodies on behalf of the team.
• To evaluate and develop transport and highway project business cases, funding bids and project proposals as necessary.
• To support the management and monitoring of project budgets and risk.
• To contribute transportation policy advice and inputs to the development of spatial planning policy and the Local Development Framework relevant to Mass Transit.
• To prepare project briefings and reports to the boards, committees, press releases and responses to letters and enquiries as required.
• To participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other transport planning duties within the section as workloads and priorities demand at a level appropriate to the grade of the post..
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Qualifications 

• A degree or equivalent level qualification and experience relevant to transport planning is an essential requirement.  A post graduate qualification in transport planning and / or an accredited professional qualification is desirable but not essential

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.

• Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice transport strategies and initiatives through agreed policies and strategies. 
• Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance in the highways and transportation service.
• Able to communicate and present detailed issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
• An ability to methodically and accurately undertake policy and data analysis within competing time constraints.
• Ability to supervise, mentor and develop a technical team.
• Able to assimilate and apply complex and detailed information and relay this to stakeholders.
• Able to manage budgets and plan expenditure. 
• Knowledge of transport planning and the latest policy developments and innovations related to the duties of the post.
• Knowledge and understanding of the process for delivering major transport infrastructure such as Mass Transit.
• Knowledge and understanding of transport policy and the Local Transport Plan system and funding framework.
• Knowledge and understanding of transport project planning, evaluation and monitoring techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of transport modelling and appraisal techniques.
• Knowledge of transport scheme impact monitoring techniques and procedures. 
• Knowledge and understanding of project planning and monitoring techniques
• Knowledge of the spatial planning system and its relationship to transport planning and policy making.
• Knowledge of the principles of highways and traffic engineering
• Knowledge of the Climate Emergency and the role of transport planning in responding.
• Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context. 
• Extensive post qualification experience in a planning, transport, regeneration or engineering role relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this post.
• Experience of working within a cross-service and multi-organisation teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience of supervising and delivering policy, projects and initiatives relevant to the area of service delivery in the remit of the post.
• Experience of relevant project management working within local authority, public or business sector organisations.
• Experience of supervising and delivering transportation and/or highway engineering projects and initiatives.
• Experience of project management techniques, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience of the preparation of local transport policies and preferably a Local Transport Plan.
• Experience in local transport policy appraisal and development.
• Experience of presenting reports and technical evidence at committees, boards or other non-technical audiences
• Experience of staff supervision, mentoring and developing a team

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

• Ability to make an effective contribution to internal and external meetings.
• Ability to lead initiatives and policy projects from inception to completion.
• Ability to provide constructive problem solving and conflict resolution.
• 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 priorities.
• Ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects and staff teams.
• Ability to provide leadership that commands respect, trust and confidence and which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.
• 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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