Transport Development Planning Officer

Description

This role has a starting salary of £31,262 per annum, based on working 36-hours per week. We are excited to be hiring a new Transport Development Planning Officer to join our fantastic Transport Development Planning Team.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Surrey County Council is embarking on an exciting and transformative journey to become a leading-edge authority, putting Surrey's people and places at the heart of everything we do.We have great ambitions and by 2030 we want Surrey to be a uniquely special place where everyone has a great start to life, people live healthy and fulfilling lives, are enabled to achieve their full potential and contribute to their community, and no one is left behind.

The Environment, Infrastructure and Growth directorate has a vital role in helping to achieve these ambitions as we provide a diverse range of essential services which benefit all of Surrey's residents, businesses and visitors. These services include Highways and Transport, Countryside, Planning and Waste management.

Our vision is to enable safe, sustainable, connected and thriving communities now and in the future.

What is a PDP?

We are offering a Professional Development Programme (PDP) position in our Environment, Infrastructure and Growth (EIG) directorate. The position provides a formal career development opportunity supported by a comprehensive training and development offer. This position has a grade span ranging between PS7 – PS9 (£31,262- £42,053) which you will have the opportunity to progress through. The role is suitable for entry-level candidates with a relevant degree or candidates with some experience working in a related field.

As a Transport Development Planning Officer (PDP) you will be responsible for advising Local Planning Authorities on the transport impacts of development proposals in a diverse and varied region, joining the County at a particularly exciting time. You will have specific regard to promoting sustainable development, maintaining, and improving road safety, minimising traffic generation and maximising the shift towards sustainable travel modes within the framework of transport and land use planning policy and guidance.

By the end of the PDP, you will have demonstrated ability to assess the transport implications of development and respond to Planning Application consultations independently. You will develop experience in reviewing Transport Assessments and negotiating with developers to secure transport related improvements to development proposals. You will also be able to work on drafting and coordinating legal agreements with developers under Sections 38 and Section 278 of the Highways Act, legislation which allows developers to deliver improvements to Surrey's roads relating to their planning application.

Personal development and progression plays a big part in the ethos of the Transport Development Planning Team and Surrey County Council as a whole. You will be part of a large enthusiastic team who will support your development to help further your career in transport planning. The Professional Development Programme is an ideal way to kickstart your career in Transport Planning and will provide you with a structured framework to learn and to progress through the pay grades to match your growing depth of experience and knowledge.

About the Role

This role sits within Surrey County Council's Planning and Placemaking Service. The service comprises a range of teams and roles that fulfil the County Council's responsibilities with respect to the Planning control system in England. As well as being the Planning Authority on Minerals and Waste matters and its own development, the Planning service also consists of teams assessing development proposals across the county in terms of the compliance with national Planning policy including impact on the transport network.

Surrey County Council is the Highway Authority for roads within the county. The Transport Development Planning team is responsible for assessing the impact of development proposals on the roads and transport networks in the area. We provide recommendations to the county's Planning Authorities to help improve and preserve the safety and sustainability of travel in the area as new developments are delivered. Our team considers over 3500 planning applications each year, ranging from small residential proposals to large urban extensions; new or expanded schools; and new commercial or retail units. 

This role provides an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic team with a variety of responsibilities and to help shape Surrey into the future. This role would suit an enthusiastic and motivated individual with an interest in the planning system and transport planning principles. You will be expected to have good written and verbal communication skills and be enthusiastic about the planning and delivery of high-quality development. You will have good problem-solving skills to contribute innovative solutions to a wide range of challenging issues and be able to negotiate with developers to deliver improvements to development schemes. You will require a full UK driving license and be willing to travel regularly within the county for site visits and meetings.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Degree in a relevant subject - geography, town planning, civil engineering, transportation planning, or equivalent; OR equivalent transport planning experience
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good negotiation skills
• Skilled in the use of IT (including proficiency in Word and Excel) 
• You are a team player, flexible, adaptable, and able to work under pressure
• Interest and any knowledge of relevant highway and planning technical matters
• Full UK Driving License

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferrable skills or any barriers to employment. 

For an informal discussion please contact Kirsty Wilkinson by email at Kirsty.Wilkinson@surreycc.gov.uk or by telephone on 07749281074. 

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/03/2024 with interviews planned for 20/03/2024. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit. 

Location

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values. 

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council. 

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.