INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Lead Passenger Assistant

Salary: £25,185 pro rata 40 weeks Term Time only

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Westland Road LS11 5SB

As a Lead Passenger Assistant, you will support a cohort of passenger assistants to provide a safe and supportive transport experience to vulnerable clients, older people, children who are in care, children and young people with daring degrees of learning, emotional and physical disabilities

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Lead Passenger assistant, you will bring to the role:

Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
Flexibility to the changing needs of the service.
Professional and approachable with a caring attitude
Hold a full current driving licence
A good understanding of Health and safety
Awareness of council policy and procedures in respect of safeguarding and GDPR

About the role

You will work as part of a team of 3 Lead passenger assistants, who support colleagues in the day-to-day provision of the passenger transport service across the Leeds authority to approx. 4700 customers daily.

You will assist in the delivery of a high-quality professional service working closely with a designated resource co-ordinator, colleagues and private hire contractors. It is desirable that you have experience of staff management and possess the key skills to support motivate and coach a cohort of passenger assistants.

The role is integral to our team of field-based passenger assistants, and you will have a pragmatic approach to problem solving and working under your own initiative.

You must possess excellent communication skills, be professional, caring, customer focused and confident and skilled in developing relationships. The need to be flexible but sensitive when dealing with a range of complex issues and customers at all levels is critical. A willingness to learn and develop whilst embracing the use of Microsoft Office/Teams and the Genesy’s telephony system is essential. You will be provided with a works laptop and mobile phone.

It is essential that you abide by and promote the Council’s Health and Safety Policy to staff under your control. You must also be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., Child protection (Safeguarding), confidentiality and data protection (GDPR) reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Karen Stroud Resources Scheduler or Wendy Crowther service manager Tel- 0113 3760100 or email Karen.stroud@leeds.gov.ukor Wendy.crowther@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose – To support operational functions within CEL Passenger Transport in the provision of quality service.

Under the direction of the Area wedge manager and Resource Co-Ordinator to support in the monitoring of the Passenger Assistants covering a patch of the city responsible for the provision of an effective and efficient passenger transport service.

Responsibilities

To ensure the effective service delivery to the specified standards.
Always assist with the day-to-day co-ordination of operational resources and services working flexibly with area wedge manager.
Under the direction of the appropriate manager, interpret specifications/requirements. Develop, implement, and monitor safe systems of work, take corrective action, and ensure continuous improvement. Challenge and address issues positively.
Assist in the management and deployment of human resources including; managing staff performance, Appraisals ,sickness: working within the council’s Attendance Management Policy and Procedures providing support to staff and arranging the provision of staff training and promoting their continual development and Health and Well Being.
Develop, implement, and maintain appropriate administrative procedures.
Ensuring provision, safe use and maintenance of equipment and materials.
Promotion, implementation, monitoring and the preparation of information within the section relating to ISO 45001, OHAS 18001 Health and Safety, VOSA, and EMAS.
Complete regular monitoring/review of passenger assistants at day centres/schools and the quality of the transport service delivered both in – house/external (Private Hire) and the overall service provided to customers.
To assist in coordinating and planning staff training days within Education settings and CEL Passenger Transport.
To use appropriate Microsoft applications, mobile devices to assist in delivering a transport service that is always efficient and cost effective.
To act as the services customer liaison officer with members of a school site and with parents/guardians when required.
To work collaboratively with LCC and school colleagues in the effective management of sensitive/complex transport cases.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti -discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards, culture, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
To take personal responsibility under, abide by and promote the Council’s Health and Safety Policy to staff under their control and self.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. Child protection (Safeguarding), confidentiality and data protection (GDPR) reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
Responsible for monitoring and reporting of any issues/concerns with the Private Hire contractor vehicles for e.g. defects/cleanliness to the Compliance Officer where the passenger assistant is picked up by private Hire.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
The duties outlines are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also compromise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications - Hold a full driving licence.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Skills Required

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Excellent communication skills to people at all levels including staff and customers.
Able to produce clear and concise reports.
Able to lead, motivate and direct others. Able to deal effectively with sensitive personnel related issues in a professional and confidential manner.
Assisting in the setting of targets and plan workloads to meet deadlines and achieve results whilst working in a competitive environment.
Able to manage change including organisational reviews.
Assist in investigations and resolve complex management and other issues.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge of IT applications, including Microsoft Office packages.
Knowledge of IS0 45001, Health and Safety, EMAS and other Comparable management systems.
An awareness of and sensitivity to the changes affecting local government and the need for flexibility to implement change.
Knowledge of modern management techniques and information systems.
Knowledge of standard staff management and personnel procedures.
An understanding of Council Policies and Procedures.

Experience Required

Proven management experience and organisational experience, including experience of managing staff and managing change.
Experience of working in a large bureaucracy.
Experience of working in local government.
Experience of staff supervision, mentoring and developing a team

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