Job Introduction
The starting salary for this position is £29,291 per annum for 36 hours per week based Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, with good opportunities for flexible working including working from home and at other Surrey County Council office space across the County.
This is a Professional Development Programme (PDP) position in Environment, Transport and Infrastructure (ETI). The position provides a formal career development opportunity supported by a comprehensive training and development offer. This position has a salary grade span ranging between PS7 – PS9 (£29,291 - £40,146 per annum) which you will have the opportunity to progress through over the course of the Programme. The role is suitable for entry-level candidates with a relevant degree or candidates with some experience working in a related field.
As Transport Development Planning Officer (PDP) within our Transport Development Planning Team 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.
This role sits within Surrey County Council’s Planning Service. The service comprises a range of teams and roles that fulfil the 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.
Transport Development Planning
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.
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.
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.
To be shortlisted to interview for this position, your application will clearly evidence:
- 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
At Surrey, our values and behaviours are just as important as our skills and abilities. They shape who we are as an organisation. Find out more about the values we follow.
For more information please find the full job description below and refer to this before submitting your application. We also invite you to read our Life at Surrey handbook to see insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Additional Information
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 1st May 2023 with interviews to follow.
Contact Details
For an informal discussion please contact Matt Strong by e-mail at matthew.strong@surreycc.gov.uk. We look forward to receiving your application.
Benefits
From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.