Highways Development Officer

Job Title: Highways Development Officer
Starting Salary: £38,220 + market enhancement payment £3,551 progressing to £41,771 + market enhancement payment £3,320 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage - Hybrid working
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Growth & Environment

About the team

Highways Development Management Team (HDM) plays a vital role in shaping safe, sustainable and well‑designed communities across the County. As a Statutory Consultee for planning applications, the team is responsible for assessing, influencing and approving the highway and transport elements of development proposals. Our focus is to ensure that new developments deliver appropriate, safe and practical highway solutions that mitigate their impact on the transport network. This includes securing high‑quality sustainable transport measures such as walking and cycling infrastructure, public transport improvements and reduced car‑dependency to support HCC ‘s vision of cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Hertfordshire.

By working closely with Planners, Developers and Stakeholders, the HDM team helps to secure improvements that enhance the local road network for all users and contribute to a more accessible, resilient and sustainable transport system. This is an exciting opportunity with involvement in interpreting transport policy and technical standards in order to deliver the formal advice of the County Council, as the statutory highway and transport authority. The role requires an ability to work in a collaborative manner with colleagues, private sector partners and Local Planning Authorities.

About the role

You will be:

• Considering, evaluating and reporting upon the transport implications of planning applications informally at pre-application stage and formally as part of the statutory response period when submitted
• Providing support to the process of negotiating with developers and their consultants on contributions to transportation infrastructure arising from development proposals and ensure these are properly secured through the completion of appropriate legal agreements
• Contributing to local development management intelligence to the production of spatial transport strategies
• Representing the County Council at meetings with private sector partners, District Council Planning Departments and at appeals (written reps/ informal)
• Involved with shaping future highway infrastructure provision to support the Government’s growth agenda both at a local and strategic level
• Working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver a quality service;
• Gaining an understanding of planning and highway law, including the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and Highways Act 1980

About you

Essential:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or Transport Planning, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of Highway Development Management procedures and practices in a Local Authority environment
• Knowledge and experience of traffic and transportation design, highways and planning legislation
• Experience of working effectively and competently with people at all levels in an organisation
• Experience of working without supervision, effective time management skills and working to deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues displaying trust and respect to achieve results
• Clear, decisive and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal
• Role requires a full and valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of negotiating financial contributions, and dealing with section 106, 38 and 278 agreements
• Experience in dealing with the public, Councillors and others on highway related matters
• Experience of dealing with Appeals and Public Inquiries

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within Technical Services, level 11 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles: Technical services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact rosemary.chatindo@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: TBC

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.