Senior Transport Planner – AR

Main purpose of Job: Working in a small Transport team, assisting the Team Leader in initiating and developing high-level transportation policy and programmes. To manage the Smarter Travel programme and help with the coordination, preparation and submission of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and initiate bids for funding from other sources. To work with colleagues and stakeholders on the promotion of integrated transport and project management of related schemes. To deliver high quality projects through the complete project life-cycle.

Key activities include:

• Assisting in the delivery of projects and programmes for the Council and providing effective management, financial and project support.
• Able to manage own time effectively and identify priorities for self and others where there is direct or indirect line management responsibility.
• May require attendance at meetings, preparing agendas, reports and relevant documents and providing advice to Members, the public and colleagues on specialist areas relevant to the role.

Main Accountabilities:

• To ensure integrated transport schemes and projects meet with the Council’s commitment to deliver a high quality service to our customers and ensuring project outcomes meet corporate aims.
• To support the Transport Lead to prepare and cost annual programmes and bids for the Transport service area, including relevant input to service and operational plans.
• To identify integrated transport schemes from the annual programme of Transportation work, including the monitoring of developers’ contributions, cycling schemes and expenditure on appropriate projects.
• To support work relating to the Bus Services Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership, including monitoring the bus shelter contract and contractor for the council.
• To initiate and carry out research into best practice and alternatives in the field of integrated transport and to commission detailed investigations in respect of specific schemes.
• To promote carbon reduction initiatives throughout the borough. Manage the Smarter Travel programme including Travel Plan monitoring. Budget management relating to this area.
• To client manage specific integrated transport projects and work areas, utilising the Framework Contract where appropriate and progressing to meet procurement requirements.
• To attend and represent the authority on associated Working Groups, and on other Liaison Groups and external bodies associated with the development of integrated transport, smarter travel and road safety schemes.
• To monitor and evaluate projects and programmes as required. Preparing detailed reports and documents.
• To participate in specific corporate initiatives.
• To liaise, consult and work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes for a range of audiences.
• To lead work streams with limited supervision, taking responsibility for the quality of the work and providing expert advice to Members, colleagues, consultants, and stakeholders.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Experienced in making independent, rapid and important decisions in project matters commensurate with level of authority.
• Experience of managing other disciplines especially planning and legal, and possess the ability to evaluate schemes and projects.
• Experience of negotiating, approving and monitoring S106 Travel Plans and developing voluntary travel plans.
• Should have demonstrable experience of negotiating and influencing with external stakeholders to deliver strategic outcomes for transport schemes.
• Experience in using behaviour change techniques to encourage active travel.

Skills and abilities:

• Effective strategy development experience and report writing skills, able to make recommendations for decision making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to articulate complex information.
• An understanding of large, complex and political organisations.
• Use of computer application covering word processing and spreadsheets and GIS applications.

Knowledge and understanding:

• Specialist technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the field of work.
• Well-developed knowledge of political environment, legislative framework, and regional and national drivers in this area.
• Understanding how to deliver projects to achieve strategic goals and service improvements.
• A thorough understanding of equal opportunities, health and safety and methods of applications within this job.
• Knowledge of Project Management principles.

Qualifications:

• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in the specialist area.
• Evidence of continuous commitment to professional and personal development.
• Membership of or eligible for membership of a professional body in Planning or Transport Planning.