You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

GBP 7283 Assistant Researcher (Engagement) Transportation Planning and Road Safety

University of Exeter Internships
Email

 

Job Summary

 

It’s an exciting time to be working in transport! A full-time Assistant Researcher is required for the Transport Planning Team in the Climate Change, Environment and Transport directorate at Devon County Council (DCC). You will assist in the development and implementation of transportation strategies and interventions to support low carbon travel and enable safe and sustainable economic development as set out in emerging or adopted District Council Local Plans and Core Strategies. This role will also have a specific focus on public engagement and communication. 

This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers a full-time 12-month contract working Mon-Fri within DCC flexible working hours. Some out of hour’s work may be required e.g. to attend public engagement meetings or undertake site visits or surveys. You will be based at County Hall in Exeter with the option to work remotely for some of the week. You will be employed by the University of Exeter and seconded to DCC for the duration of your contract which mean you can access the benefits on offer from both organisations.

 

Key Dates

 

Closing Date: 03/07/2024

Interview Date: W/C 08/07/2024

Start Date: 15/07/2024

End Date: 15/07/2025

 

Salary: £25,007 per annum.

 

 

 

Purpose of the Role

 

In the role of Transportation Planning Assistant Researcher, you will receive training, gain experience, and develop your skills across a wide range of transport issues. We’d like you to take a special interest in the engagement side of our work, ensuring we are delivering the best for our local communities in Devon. You work will include data analysis, report writing and mapping and will also have a significant focus on public engagement and communications. 

The transport planning team has a key role in developing transport plans to support delivery of ambitious housing and job numbers, whilst also ensuring that we respond positively to Devon County Council’s climate emergency declaration. Understanding how technology and innovation will change the way people travel is an increasingly important part of the role, as is understanding how behaviour change can support safer and sustainable travel. In recent years, the team has been hugely successful in submitting bids and securing funding to enable delivery of high-quality cycle routes, new railway stations and bus service improvement schemes. You will enjoy seeing how the projects that you work on help to build a county where people can get around easily to do the things they need to do. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities 

 

  • Develop a communications and engagement strategy for the Transport Planning team.
  • Assist with the preparation for and the undertaking of significant transport planning related public engagement exercises across the county, in person and online.
  • Assist with the production of planning and transportation studies, and other related projects, using transport modelling and other technical tools, with appropriate training and support from senior members of the team, to inform policy development and infrastructure requirements.
  • Assist with transportation inputs to Local Plans
  • Assist the Highway Development Management Officers with the appraisal of Transport Assessments and Travel Plans in support of major planning proposals.  This will include providing input on the likely effect on road user safety of new schemes.
  • Assist with the delivery of transportation and road safety projects across the County.
  • Assist with arranging and undertaking traffic surveys such as traffic counts and roadside interviews

 

*Carry out any other duties and projects as required by your Line Manager, commensurate with the level of the post. 

 

Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?

 

  • Good quality work experience on a variety of transport related projects
  • Training will be largely on the job and through informal internal training with colleagues.
  • Where appropriate there will be opportunities to attend technical/non-technical training courses and/or seminars/workshops to improve skills and knowledge.
  • Some of the more general skills you will develop involve corporate report writing, data analysis, mapping, and communications.
  • More specifically, you will have the opportunity to be involved in and learn about the council’s public engagement processes and to gain experience of key technical transport planning tools used for mapping and modelling purposes.

 

 

You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in: 

  • Prevent Duty - Inclusive, Cohesive and Safe Universities
  • Equality and Diversity Introduction
  • Health and Safety Introduction
  • Information Governance

 

Support Available

 

  • Regular meetings with the line manager
  • Workplace buddy or mentor
  • On the job training/shadowing
  • The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.

 

 

The Benefits

 

You will also have access to a wide range of benefits, rewards and recognition from the University including: 

  • Generous pension
  • A holiday allowance of 39 days per year
  • Totum Card (student discount)
  • Salary Exchange Schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Discounted membership to the university's sports facilities including cricket centre, indoor/outdoor pools, squash courts and fitness centre’s.
  • The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
  • All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide.
  • You will have access to the university’s Career Mentor Scheme and career consultancy opportunities.
  • You will have access to the university’s extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills.
  • You will be invited to quarterly networking and professional development events through ‘The Graduate Network’ exclusively for GBP’s and their line managers.

 

About You (Person Specification)

 

Degree and Attainment

 

  • Degree from a UK-based University in the last 3 years, preferably a mathematics/engineering/ geography or similar numerical or social science-based degree.

 

Skills

 

  • Report writing skills.
  • Ability to be adaptable to changing areas of work focus and team environment.
  • Confidence in handling and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and information.
  • Ability to interpret modelled data.
  • Understanding of statistical analysis.
  • Understanding of research methods.

 

Personal Qualities and Attributes

 

  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to use initiative and able to learn through experience.
  • Self-motivated, able to work unsupervised.
  • Ability to interact effectively with the public and other professionals.

 

Knowledge

 

  • Knowledge of transport planning issues.
  • Knowledge of organisations involved in transport.

 

Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements

 

  • To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be in your final year at any UK-based university.
  • If you are in your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation.
  • If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early.
  • You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation).
  • The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity. 
  • We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion)
  • Learn about the university’s commitment to the Disability Confident scheme here
  • At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK and evidence must be provided in advance of the appointment.  Examples of suitable evidence can be found in the Intern Guidance- Proving Right to Work the UK guide. Candidates should continue to have permission for the duration of the GBP contract. This includes British citizens, individuals with an EU Pre-Settlement or EU-Settlement Status; and those with a Graduate Route Visa.
  • All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role.

 

How to Apply

 

  • Download and complete the attached Internship Application Form. CVs cannot be accepted. Please make sure you have downloaded the latest copy of the Internship Application Form.
  • Guidance and useful tips for completing your application are found on the Internship Application Form.
  • Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement.
  • Use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.
  • You should insert the correct reference code on the application form: GBP 7283
  • Please save your Internship Application Form as ‘your name - GBP 7283’
  • The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through GBP Scheme. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria.
  • Please also include details of any reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.
  • You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.
  • Send your completed application (not by OneDrive) to internships@exeter.ac.uk, with the reference code: GBP 7283 in the subject bar of your email, by the closing date.

 

Further Guidance and Support

 

  • (Exeter graduates only) You can refer to the My Career Zone Digital resources on application and interview preparation here.
  • (Exeter graduates only) If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment with a professional Careers Consultant by emailing careers@exeter.ac.uk.
  • Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid.
  • It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.
  • If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at internships@exeter.ac.uk