Engineer Highways Development in Leeds

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 be involved in assessing a wide variety of development proposals and promoting safe and sustainable transport options and opportunities for developments.

You should have an HNC (level 4) or HND (level 5) qualification in Civil Engineering, a degree or equivalent level qualification relevant to transport planning/civil engineering and/or 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.

As our next Highways Development Engineer, you'll be part of a team assessing transport & highway safety, accessibility and impacts of development proposals through the planning system, supporting Leeds Best City Ambitions of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Strong Communities and Sustainable Cities by helping to ensure safe and sustainable development. The role is a career-grade post with the opportunity to develop and progress through the grades.

Responsibilities:

• Assess transport impact of development proposals, giving advice to developers and negotiating the provision of appropriate solutions.
• Evaluate existing and proposed scenarios to identify transport-related problems and solutions using traffic models and other analytical tools where appropriate.
• Liaise with other Council directorates and outside agencies.
• Respond to consultations and requests for advice on planning applications and other related issues.
• Carry out site visits anywhere within the authority's borders.
• Assist in developing work programmes.
• Monitor own progress against targets.
• Prepare and present reports including requests for decisions by Elected Members and delegated officers.
• Prepare and present evidence for hearings and written representation planning appeals.
• Assist in preparing evidence for public inquiries.
• Assist as required in the co-ordination of services to one or more Community Committees to ensure effective and responsive communication and reporting on issues of concern.
• Deputise as required for Senior Highways Development Engineers.
• Follow procedures and maintain records in accordance with the directorate's standards.
• Maintain a knowledge and awareness of new developments related to the area of work.
• Undertake other duties of a similar nature and responsibility as may be determined.

To manage a defined activity or a small range of the Directorate's activities to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council's Corporate Plan and comply with Government Standards. To undertake the delivery of specified elements of the Divisional Plan, Service Plan and Corporate Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.

Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focusing on equality of outcome. Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting Service Management Team.

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 and with regard to implementing e-government objectives.

To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government. To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in a relevant planning, transport or engineering role.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present issues clearly and succinctly.
• Strong numeracy skills with the ability to understand technical information.
• Commitment and ability to develop within the role.
• An HNC (level 4) or HND (level 5) or equivalent level qualification and/or experience relevant to transport planning or civil engineering.
• 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.
• A degree in a related subject is desirable.

Personal Attributes & Skills:

• Able to draft reports and carry out informal presentations.
• Able to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
• Ability to make an effective contribution to internal and external meetings.
• Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
• Ability to develop and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
• Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Able to respond to consultations and requests for advice.
• Able to co-ordinate inputs from internal and external sources.
• Able to specify traffic surveys and interpret the results.
• Able to produce effective minutes of meetings.
• Able to demonstrate an awareness of local and national transport policy issues.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.
• Understanding of public sector issues.
• An understanding of service delivery issues.
• HNC (level 4) or HND (level 5) qualification in Civil Engineering or equivalent level qualification and/or experience relevant to the duties of the post.

Behavioural & 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 Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity 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.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

Desirable Requirements – SO1:

• Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
• Ability to resolve conflict.
• Able to operate traffic assignments models (e.g. SATURN).
• Able to use ARCADY, PICADY software (Junctions).
• Able to use the TRICS database.
• Able to use AutoCAD to present data and scheme options.
• Able to write appeal statements and proofs of evidence.
• Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
• A degree in a related subject is desirable.
• Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross projects.
• Experience of managing services to meet customer needs.
• Able to develop/interpret traffic assignment models.
• Able to participate effectively at meetings with officers from other agencies.

Desirable Requirements – SO2:

• Ability to resolve conflict.
• Able to undertake preliminary design of transport, highway and traffic management schemes.
• Able to prepare, at preliminary design stage, cost estimates for constructing transport, highway and traffic management schemes.
• Able to prepare scheme specifications and detailed design briefs.
• Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
• A degree in a related subject is desirable.
• Experience of assisting in the management projects, using project management techniques and reporting recommendations.
• Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross projects.
• Experience of managing services to meet customer needs.
• Able to identify traffic/transportation problems and generate innovative solutions.
• Able to analyse Transportation Assessments produced by developers.
• Able to design and conduct public consultation exercises.
• Able to write technical and Director reports.
• Able to prepare inputs to development briefs and the local plan process.
• Able to participate effectively at meetings with members of the public.
• Able to resolve conflict.
• Experience of writing reports and carrying out presentations.

Desirable Requirements – PO1:

• Able to produce Transportation Assessments.
• Able to chair officer meetings.
• Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
• A degree in a related subject is desirable.
• Experience of managing projects, using project management techniques and reporting recommendations.
• Experience of managing services to meet customer needs.
• Able to evaluate transport options.
• Able to give formal presentations.
• Able to participate effectively at meetings with Councillors.
• Able to present evidence at hearings.
• Able to participate in DC Panel and Member briefings.

Desirable Requirements – PO2:

• Able to manage projects including the preparation and monitoring of programmes and cost estimates.
• Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
• A degree in a related subject is desirable.
• Experience of managing projects, using project management techniques and reporting recommendations.
• Experience of managing services to meet customer needs.

About Leeds City Council:

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.

Benefits:

• 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.

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 visa route 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.