PDP Transport Development Planning Officer

The starting salary for this position is £33,552 per annum for 36 hours per week.

We are excited to be recruiting a PDP Transport Development Planning Officer to join our fantastic team, based at Victoria Gate in Woking.

This is a Professional Development Programme (PDP) position in our Environment and Planning directorate. The position provides a formal career development opportunity supported by a comprehensive training and development offer. This position has a grade span ranging between PS7 – PS9 (£33,552-£45,135) which you will have the opportunity to progress through. The role is suitable for entry-level candidates with a relevant degree or candidates with some experience working in a related field.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service (prorated for part time staff)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Transport Development Planning Team. As a Transport Development Planning Officer (PDP) 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.

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.

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.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Degree in a relevant subject - geography, town planning, civil engineering, transportation planning, or equivalent; OR equivalent transport planning experience
• Good written and verbal communication, and 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

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

1. Please describe your qualifications and/or relevant experience in transport planning or a related field (e.g. geography, town planning, civil engineering, transportation planning). If you do not hold a relevant degree, outline the relevant experience you have and how it relates to this role. You may also include any interest or knowledge you have in highway or planning-related matters.
2. Give an example of a time when you used your written and/or verbal communication skills to explain technical information or negotiate with others (such as colleagues, stakeholders, or the public). What was the outcome?
3. Tell us about a planning or transport policy, guidance document, or development proposal you have read that interested you. What did you take from it, and why did it stand out to you?
4. Please provide an example of a time you worked effectively as part of a team while managing competing priorities or deadlines. How did you organise your work, support others, and ensure a successful outcome?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Abi Grealey (abigail.grealey@surreycc.gov.uk) or Trish Gurney (tricia.gurney@surreycc.gov.uk).

This job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/05/2026 with interviews to follow on 20th May at Victoria Gate, Woking.

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.