Strategic Development Assistant Engineer

Highway Development Control have area-based teams who work on development proposals within specific districts, and a Strategic team that cover the county. This role sits within the Highway Development Control (Strategic) Team. Highways Development Control acts on behalf of the Local Highway Authority (LHA) and provides statutory responses to Planning Applications to the Local Planning Authorities (LPAs). Highways Development Control (Strategic) handle the large high-profile developments across Lancashire, providing impartial professional highways advice in line with national policy (the National Planning Policy Framework), guidance, technical standards, regulations and the legal framework (including the Highways Act 1980), supporting the development process. A number of the projects are of national importance and subject to a high level of scrutiny. Consequently, this provides an opportunity to work on a diverse and interesting range of developments with colleagues and project partners.

The Strategic team in Highways Development Control have recently handled applications for development such as the Eden Project North (Morecambe), shale gas exploration (Cuadrilla), garden villages, enterprise zones, significant employment areas, major infrastructure schemes (private and public), large scale residential development, and more. Development Control have also secured millions of pounds in highways infrastructure and for transport improvements through our work negotiating with developers.

You will be someone who is adaptable, enjoys a challenge, pays attention to detail and is resilient. This role will require you to push your ability to be innovative, collaborative, respectful and supportive. The work that is undertaken in Development Control requires analytical ability, strong communication skills (including but not limited to writing) and commitment. You will be expected to undertake work including analysis of Transport Assessments, working with many colleagues including liaising with LPAs, maintaining clear audit trails and record keeping, and analysing data to problem solve. Direct experience is desirable but not essential if the candidate can demonstrate other transferable qualities. The nature of this role is such that the drive and ability to undertake self-directed learning is critical and support will be provided. You will be required to analyse technical information, including traffic modelling. You will also have duties in relation to The Town and Country
Planning Act 1990 S106 contributions and meeting LCC's legal obligations that may include strategies, infrastructure projects and handling existing processes.

You will be required to maintain professionalism in a pressured environment representing the Local Highway Authority, and where external stakeholders, including the general public, will have a significant level of interest in the LHA's position on a development. There will be future opportunities to progress, and this role will provide a range of opportunities to develop the skill set to prepare you for this.

The role may require work on occasion outside traditional working hours, in mornings, evenings, or on weekends. This is dependent on the type of development currently being worked on and what information is needed to support LCC's analysis and recommendation to the Local Planning Authority.

The role is based at Cuerden Depot, Bamber Bridge, with agile working across other depots and some home-based work possible. The candidate is expected to have access to transport to undertake work related duties which may be outside traditional working hours. If you have any questions, please contact dan.spencer@lancashire.gov.uk

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

Lancashire County Council is the fourth largest local authority in England and covers a substantial geographic area encompassing 12 District Councils. Acting as both the Local Highway and Traffic Authority, the County Council through its Highways Service is responsible for maintaining the safe and effective use of its highways, being made up of 4,300 miles of road, 151,000 streetlights and 2,955 bridges. Highways Development Control provide statutory comments on over 6,000 planning applications annually.

| Salary £32,020-£36,298 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Cuerden Mill Depot, Bamber Bridge |