Job Title: Bike It & Active Travel Officer, Bedford

Job Description

Job Title: Bike It & Active Travel Officer, Bedford

Reference: SUS1990

Salary: Grade F: £21,534 - £24,103 pro rata per annum

(dependent on relevant skills and experience)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week

Fixed Term: funding to 31 July 2017 – Maternity cover

Base: Transport Policy, 4th floor, Bedford Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP

Job Purpose:

To be responsible for leading and supporting the delivery of activities promoting Active Travel across a range of settings within Bedford with the primary aim to promote cycling at selected Bedford schools. To develop and support ‘school champions’, to harness local authority resources available for cycling and to make links between schools and the wider walking and cycling community.

Place in organisational structure:

The postholder will be one of a national team of officers and will report to the Delivery Co-ordinator, Midlands and East. There will be close liaison with local authority staff and their delivery partners and Sustrans regional and central staff.

Key Relationships:

Internal: Delivery Coordinator, Midlands and East

Head of Delivery, Midlands and East

Sustrans Schools Officers (UK wide)

England Director, Midlands and East

Behaviour Change and Engagement team members (Bristol)

Research and Monitoring Unit staff

Active Travel teams based in Luton and Dunstable

Regional staff

Other Sustrans staff

External: Schools and parent ‘champions’ and head teachers

Local authority staff including Schools Health and Wellbeing Team, school travel, road safety and transport planning team.

Primary Care Trust staff, and in particular Public Heath,

Supporting organisations i.e. schools sports coordinators, British Cycling, Cycling UK & Living Streets

Bedford Borough Council Project Team including Walking and Cycling Policy Officer and Transport Policy Team Leader.

Bedford Borough Council (BBC) Transport Portfolio Holder and local Councillors including the elected Mayor of Bedford

Bedford Borough staff and management

Station Travel Plan Steering Group

Bedford Cycle Strategy Group

TOCs (Train Operating Companies) –GoVia, London Midland, East Midland Trains

Other consultants

CCNB (Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire)

Local walking and cycling groups

Local bike retailers and suppliers

Local media

Local bus operators

Local businesses

Local community

Key Responsibilities:

·  To measure baseline pupil walking, cycling and scooting activity for home to school and other cycling journeys and carry out follow up surveys at selected schools each year.

·  To deliver cycling promotion activities in schools to increase the number of pupils and staff cycling, walk or scoot to school.

·  To manage a team of external suppliers to provide walking, scooting and cycling activities in schools.

·  To promote cycling, working alongside the local authority / Primary Care Trust and local authority services (such as cycle training and school travel plans).

·  To provide stories and information for Sustrans press office (who will liaise with other media partners), and other Sustrans publications.

·  To compile progress reports and presentations for project stakeholders.

·  To provide advice, information and other support for ‘school champions’ and project beneficiaries – who include teachers, parents, governors, pupils and residents.

·  To develop links between schools and the local walking and cycling community.

·  To share good practice with other local authorities and schools in the area through presentations, workshops and press articles.

·  To plan, organise and support a programme of activities and events designed to raise awareness of Active Travel and to predominantly promote cycling and walking and where possible rail travel amongst target groups with the assistance of local authority staff, promotions agencies, the Train Operating Companies, Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire (CCNB) and other stakeholders.

·  To use a range of media and techniques, including social media sites and networking to raise awareness of Active Travel.

·  To work with local businesses and organisations, such as BBC, Bedford Hospital and the University to promote sustainable travel within Bedford.

·  To identify when additional staff resources are required and assist in the recruitment of additional staff.

·  To assist in the training and line management of casual staff members of the team.

·  To assist with the compilation of reports for presentation to the various stakeholders.

·  To attend stakeholder meetings.

·  To recruit and support volunteers to assist with the running of the project and to provide legacy for the project.

Communication and marketing

·  To support and comply with the charity’s guidance on branding, tone of voice and key messages, positively contributing towards raising Sustrans’ profile.

Training and personal development:

·  To attend essential Sustrans training as required by the Charity.

·  To ensure own personal development by working to objectives set as part of the Charity’s appraisal process.

Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

·  To support and comply with the organisation’s policy for the management of Health and Safety.

·  To support and comply with the organisation’s policies for the management of safeguarding.

·  To support and comply with the organisation’s policy and procedures relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and apply principles of best practice in own role.

Other

·  To perform any other duties consistent with the nature and grade of the role as agreed with the line manager.

Working Conditions:

The postholder will be one of a team of Project Officers based across the country and will work at the nominated office base, although there may be opportunities to work from home at times. Occasional overnight stays away from home, weekend and late working may be required.

Employment will be conditional on clearance by the appropriate DBS Disclosure check.

Special Note:

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment, but indicates how that contract should be performed. The job description may be subject to amendment in the light of experience and in consultation with the jobholder.

Compiled: Delivery Co-ordinator, Midlands and East

Date: October 2016
Bike It & Active Travel Officer, Bedford (SUS1990)

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential
Qualifications, education and training / Educated to A Level standard or equivalent
Experience / Experience of working on projects within an established project management framework
Experience of partnership working within a community-based or environmental project
Project management experience
Experience of delivering physical activity or other behaviour change projects with schools, workplaces or communities
Experience of working with children and young people
Experience of delivering projects with different partners from different sectors
Experience of leading group workshops, organising and running events
Skills and abilities / Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Presentation skills
Excellent organisational skills , including ability to prioritise and manage own workload
IT literate
Proven ability to deliver engagement activities and promotional events
Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships
Ability to motivate and enthuse others
A flexible and enthusiastic approach
Knowledge / Understanding of sustainable transport issues regionally and locally
Health, economic and other benefits of active travel
IT literacy - familiar with use of Microsoft Office
Other / Committed to the promotion of sustainable transport
Criteria / Desirable
Qualifications / Educated to degree level or equivalent
Qualified National Standard Cycling Instructor
A current outdoor first aid certificate
A current ride leader qualification
Undertaken a walk leader training course
Hold a bike mechanics certificate
Experience / Experienced in internet research
Experience of engaging with workplaces
Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers
Experience of engaging with community groups
Experience of working in schools and local authorities
Skills and abilities / Good report writing skills
Knowledge / Knowledge of behaviour change methodology-both theory and practice.
Understanding of what represents good quality cycling infrastructure provision
Good understanding and knowledge of sustainable transport policy nationally and regionally
Knowledge of local area and surrounding environment
Knowledge of local organisations promoting a wider well-being and environmental agenda