At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a proactive team to enhance community safety and improve public transport experiences.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public safety while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supervision, community safety, and handling antisocial behaviour.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, with strong career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
We are looking for a Travel Safe Team Leader to join our new Travel Safe team. This is a full-time role based across Gosport Town Hall, Portsmouth Civic Offices and in the community. It is a Fixed Term Contract/Secondment until 31st March 2028.
The Travel Safe Team is made up of one Supervisor and 6 officers. The service runs from 14:00 - 00:00 Friday and 07:00 - 00:00 Saturday and Sundays. The team will work varying 10 hour shifts. The team is a proactive, community‑focused service designed to improve safety, confidence and public experience across local transport networks. Operating on key bus routes, transport hubs and areas affected by antisocial behaviour (ASB), the service provides a visible and reassuring presence for passengers, transport staff and the wider community. Officers use a balanced approach of engagement, education and enforcement, supporting those who travel while addressing behaviours that undermine safety or cause nuisance. By working in a uniformed, accredited capacity, the service helps create cleaner, safer and more welcoming journeys for everyone.
The service works closely with a wide range of partners including Hampshire County Council, Gosport Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire & IOW Constabulary and local transport operators. Using intelligence, data and community feedback, officers are deployed to ASB hotspots, emerging concerns and areas needing additional reassurance. Their work includes tackling environmental ASB such as fly‑tipping and graffiti, responding to incidents in real time, and enforcing relevant legislation through Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) powers. Through strong partnership working and a problem‑solving approach, the service supports both immediate safety needs and long‑term improvements across the local transport network.
The ideal person for this role is a confident, proactive leader who thrives in a dynamic, public‑facing environment. They bring experience in supervision, enforcement, or community safety, and can balance operational oversight with direct engagement on the ground. They naturally foster professionalism and accountability within their team, offering coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback to ensure high standards across all shifts.
They are skilled in handling antisocial behaviour using a proportionate and balanced approach—combining engagement, education, and enforcement. Comfortable exercising powers, they can issue Fixed Penalty Notices, gather evidence, and make sound decisions under pressure. They respond quickly to incidents, apply dynamic risk assessments, and manage conflicting priorities with calm judgement and resilience.
This person is an effective communicator who builds strong relationships with passengers, transport staff, local authorities, police, and transport providers. They understand how intelligence, data, and community feedback shape effective deployment, and they embrace collaborative, problem‑solving approaches. Knowledge of ASB legislation, transport networks, or local communities such as Gosport is an advantage, alongside a willingness to undertake further training.
They are comfortable working autonomously, often during evenings, weekends, or public holidays, and can maintain a visible, uniformed presence across a wide geographical area. The right person is reliable, adaptable, and self‑motivated, with the ability to work independently without direct supervision. Above all, they care about improving public safety, enhancing the travel experience, and creating cleaner, safer and more welcoming journeys for everyone.
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page. You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact the recruitment team.
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your personal statement on the application. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage.
Interview date: 6th March 2026.
Travel Safe Team Leader - Portsmouth in Sussex employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Travel Safe Team Leader - Portsmouth in Sussex
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Portsmouth City Council values respect, integrity, and collaboration. Research their projects and community initiatives to show you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. This can give you insider info about the role and help you stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your leadership skills and ability to handle antisocial behaviour. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the position and keep you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Travel Safe Team Leader - Portsmouth in Sussex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your relevant experience. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've handled situations similar to those described in the job description. We want to see how your past roles have prepared you for this position!
Be Personal and Authentic: Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your personal statement. We love seeing genuine passion and enthusiasm for community safety and public service. Share why this role excites you and how you align with our values of respect, integrity, and collaboration.
Address Each Point: Make sure you address each of the 'Who is the Person' points in your application. This is crucial! We need to see how you meet the criteria laid out in the job profile, so take your time to provide clear examples for each point.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our careers portal. It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the info you need about the recruitment process there, so it's a win-win!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know the Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Portsmouth City Council's core values: respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and being people-focused. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you embody these values, as they'll be looking for candidates who align with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Travel Safe Team Leader, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past, especially in dynamic or public-facing environments. Highlight your ability to provide coaching and constructive feedback, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
The role involves tackling antisocial behaviour and managing incidents under pressure. Be ready to discuss situations where you've had to think on your feet and make quick decisions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and clearly illustrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with Community Safety Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with local community issues, transport networks, and ASB legislation relevant to Portsmouth and Gosport. Showing that you have done your homework will not only impress the interviewers but also demonstrate your commitment to improving public safety and enhancing the travel experience.