Position description
Title:
Transport Planner
Group:
Highways & Network Operations
Location:
Wellington
Reports to:
Transport Planning Manager
Date:
August 2011
Organisation profile
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is a Crown entity that was established on 1 August 2008, under the
amended Land Transport Management Act 2003, bringing together the functions of Land Transport NZ
and Transit New Zealand to provide an integrated approach to transport planning, funding and delivery.
The purpose of the NZTA is ‘to build a better land transport system for New Zealanders’.
What we do -
Help New Zealanders to travel reliably and safely
-
Invest in moving people and freight to grow New Zealand’s economy
-
Meet our customers’ needs by being people-focussed.
Our strategic priorities – the things we are focussing on:
-
Improve customer service and reduce compliance costs
-
Plan for and deliver roads of national significance
-
Improve the effectiveness of public transport
-
Improve the efficiency of freight movement
-
Improve the road safety system.
The NZTA employs approximately 1400 staff throughout New Zealand and is structured into six
business groups. The NZTA encourages staff to work collaboratively across the organisation. It is
committed to linking people together and drawing from the combined skills and knowledge held within
the NZTA, in order to develop innovative solutions and work more effectively with stakeholders.
NZTA values
To achieve our purpose we must exhibit the following values:
Achievement
We achieve excellent results
Service
We provide outstanding service
Integrity
We are honest, ethical and trustworthy
Respect
We show consideration for others
Professionalism
We produce high quality work
…resulting in a great place to work as a high performing, innovative organisation.
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Business Group Background - Highways & Network Operations
The Highways & Network Operations Group (Highways), one of six business groups within the NZTA,
contributes to optimising the wider transport network by planning, operating, protecting, maintaining
and improving the state highway network. The Group works closely with other parts of the business to
ensure the strategic priorities are achieved. State highways perform a vital national, inter-regional and
regional role in the transport network. State highways carry buses, trucks, cars, motorcyclists, walkers
and cyclists and connect cities, towns, ports and tourist destinations. The Highways customer base is
extensive and is focussed predominately on users of the SH network. The Group operates adjacent to
communities and traverses sensitive and important parts of New Zealand.
The priorities for Highways are to:

Improve its customer service, particularly with road users but also with suppliers, neighbours and
key stakeholders

Undertake all activities on the basis of operating and improving a national network

Develop staff so that decision making can be devolved low into the Highways structure and that
staff are trained and competent in collegial decision making

Contribute to the development of the Organisational Development strategy and implement its intent
over the Group/Business Unit and evidence this by measurement.
Purpose of position
The Transport Planner will manage allocated transportation planning projects, monitoring and
investigations in accordance with NZTA’s policies and standards and in a manner that promotes an
integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system.
Key accountabilities – general
Team Contribution

Participates in the annual business planning processes for their team

Demonstrates support for all the NZTA initiatives and organisational development activities,
modelling expected behaviours to managers and other staff

Works in a manner that reflects a clear alignment with the values and expectations of the NZTA
staff and works to understand and resolve issues that may be in conflict with these values and/or
expectations

Actively supports an organisational culture based on high quality, innovation, responsiveness,
excellent communication and continuous improvement.
Relationship management

Engages effectively with internal experts/staff across the NZTA so that the best information is
available for decision-making, policy development, planning, resource and risk management,
operations and service delivery to our Minister and the public

Actively manages internal client expectations and maintains timeliness of delivery including meeting
service level agreements
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Stakeholder management

Establishes and maintains professional relationships with providers of land transport services, local
and central government transport sector agencies, other State agencies, the private sector, interest
groups, the public and international transport agencies and peers as appropriate

Convenes and attends meetings with key internal and external stakeholders to address specific
issues and generate solutions, and has the ability to influence thinking and decisions that are
consistent with the NZTA strategic direction

Provides meaningful and timely communication to the sector so that stakeholders understand their
requirements in relation to the Government transport sector objectives.
Risk and issue management

Escalates any significant risks and issues to their manager in a timely way

Ensures a comprehensive risk management approach to the way the business is managed on a day
to day basis. Identifies threats to SH Plan, business and the NZTA so that risks within their area of
responsibility are managed, mitigated or minimised

Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities so that there is continuous improvement in
business processes and greater value is delivered to customers and stakeholders.
Customer service

Develops a customer service ethos that focuses on the provision of high quality, proactive and
timely service, support and advice, which is aligned to the NZTA’s needs and strategies.

Actively manages key customer segments of road users, key stakeholders, neighbours and suppliers
by:

encouraging and promoting dialogue and collaboration with road user groups such as
Automobile Association, Road Transport Federation, bus operators, cycling interest groups
so that they play a part in assisting with the setting of priorities, standards and urban
design

developing and maintaining a working relationship with all suppliers so that they have
forward visibility of our programme and can openly discuss issues with the NZTA and see
the NZTA as a premier client

ensuring we are open, honest and available to all our neighbours so that they can advise us
of issues and that they can, through engagement, assist us in finding the best solutions to
our transport problems.
Health and safety

Takes responsibility for own health and safety

Ensures own actions keep self and others safe

Identifies, reports and assists to eliminate hazards in their own workplace

Participates in local workplace safety management practices.
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Self development

Takes responsibility for personal development and continually develops their own professional
expertise.
Key accountabilities - specific
Plan for Macro-integration

Supports national planning through comprehensive identification of local and regional land use and
transport planning issues and opportunities with potential effect on demand management, network
and strategic planning

Ensures a ‘best case scenario’ view on regional transport issues that will deliver integrated, safe and
sustainable solutions to regional demand issues

Anticipates community needs and co-ordinates various players in the regional transport sector to
arrive at agreements or compromises so that key principles are acceptable in the light of NZTA’s goals

Oversees the extent to which these solutions find their way into regional plans and strategies.

Identifies where adjustments need to be made to NZTA’s own regional network plans, road
hierarchies and strategies to support the agreements made and ensure information flows back to
National Office

Works with other Transport Planners and the Resource Planning team and operations staff to review
land use developments and their impact on the SH network and provide sound and timely advice

Assists in reviewing all regional transport models including validation and gain acceptance by National
Office for their use.
Develop SH year forecast

Assists National Office with a regional view on how NZTA’s strategies and plans can be translated into
a set of manageable and fundable regional projects, which optimise corridor performance within the
macro-planning context

Scopes projects and alternative options

Considers opportunities for managing road space and vehicle priorities to enhance access for public
transport, high occupancy vehicles and trucks, and establish integrated sustainable priorities for road
use for all types of vehicles

Accurately forecasts net economic, social and environmental benefits for incorporation into the
national State Highway Network Plan

Monitors and manages information on possible network improvements and ensures sound analysis
supports all suggested solutions

Ensures information from the regional Transport Planning team and other units on identified
improvements is presented to the Regional Manager in a timely and concise manner

Assists in the compilation and co-ordination of the regional 10-year and Annual Capital Works Plan
achieving all the target dates and assist the Regional Manager in representing the region on the
national prioritisation of activities
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
Assists NZTA’s consultation in the region and ensures stakeholders are satisfied with the consultation
process

Obtains a comprehensive picture of potential adverse effects caused by the preferred project option
and potential additional benefits delivered

Ensures legal compliance of the consultation process, including declarations and the processing of
s93 notices

Provides necessary regional cross-divisional information to ensure sound costing of any solution.
Consult and develop projects

Manages allocated projects in accordance with the procedures and standards specified in NZTA’s
project management manual to agreed quality standards, budgets and timeframes while ensuring
alignment with the NZ Transport Strategy

Sizes and scopes the investigation required to achieve the desired outcomes of allocated projects, by
preparing a Project Plan and draft briefs, and consulting with affected Territorial Local Authorities,
Regional Authorities and National Office, to achieve consensus on project scope

Reviews and adjusts forecast project cost: benefit based on findings from forecast and stakeholder
consultation

Provides National Office with a regional project delivery schedule

Ensures legal compliance of the project planning process and scope whether all necessary consents
can be obtained in a timely manner

Ensures stakeholders are informed of NZTA decisions and understands where their concerns were or
were not incorporated in the project plans and why.

Works to achieve stakeholder buy-in to the chosen option

Sustains ongoing dialogue with communities on the chosen project option and remain receptive to
their concerns

Prepares budget forecasts and reconciliation against actual revenue and expenditure

Ensures ready availability of performance information for reporting purposes.

Researches, obtains and provides technical advice to guide the consulting industry and as requested
by other regional staff.
Business Administration

Maintains communication process with the territorial Local Authorities, Regional Council and National
Office, at agreed milestones during the currency and at the conclusion of the activity, and prepare
Action Papers

Answers general queries/complaints to the Regional Office, including those of a technical nature, from
the general public, Police, Territorial Local Authorities and road industry associations

Keeps the Manager and National Office informed of potential problems ahead of them becoming
public, consistent with a no surprises approach

Assists the Manager and works with National office staff to identify supplementary funding sources,
including developer contributions, and present accurate and complete business cases.
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Financial Dimension
Not applicable
Committee / Steering Group / Team memberships
Business/Technical/Operational Teams – responsible for contributing to specialised teams and groups
ensuring business procedures are reviewed, updated and improved as required to meet business need.
Key relationships
Internal

Integrated Planning Manager

Transport and Resource Planning teams

National Office Transport Planning teams

NZTA managers and staff
External

Other Government Departments / agencies

Consultants and Contractors

Territorial Authorities

Iwi and Maori committees

Developers

Landowners and occupiers
Person specification
Education and training
A three year Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) or a degree that is benchmarked to the
Sydney Accord is essential.
A registered Engineering Technology Practitioner (ETPract) and a technical member of IPENZ (TIPENZ) are
essential. (for critical positions)
Or
Be working towards becoming a registered Engineering Technology Practitioner (ETPract) and a technical
member of IPENZ (TIPENZ).
A current and valid New Zealand Driver’s Licence (or equivalent) is required for this position.
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Knowledge and experience

Experience in the transport sector or related civil roading construction.

Substantial experience in relation to reviewing transport models, and the evaluation of activities in
accordance with generally accepted best practice is very important.

Experience in dealing with the management of multiple issues in a sensitive and political environment
in a systematic way.

Relevant hands on experience in the development of large projects through Resource Management
Act procedures.

An understanding of the Land Transport Management Act and the social and environmental impacts that
can result from construction activities and new additions to the network.

A good level of computing skills, and the use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Personal attributes

Well developed interpersonal and communication skills, both orally (including presentation skills)
and in writing.

Demonstrates strong influencing, negotiation and relationship building skills that enable issues to be
identified and resolved early.

Good organisational skills, the ability to operate with minimum supervision, work under pressure and
meet timeframes.

Proven ability to thoroughly research and collate information, as well as the ability to carry out
technically accurate assessments/peer reviews.

Demonstrates excellent problem solving skills and the ability to apply an analytical approach to
arrive at a solution that reflects best practice

Possesses the creditability and confidence to command the respect of their peers, enabling the
establishment and management of key internal relationships, and identified stakeholder groups.

Actively demonstrates, promotes and models desired organisational behaviours and values

Experience in building and fostering relationships

Displays a strong customer service ethos

Possesses a strong achievement/delivery focus – sets high standards including accuracy and
attention to detail, meets deadlines etc

Promotes a high quality climate of innovation, collaboration, change and adaptation in own area

Actively looks for opportunities to improve services and support organisational development

Displays strong team skills, contributing to team success

Takes accountability for the responsibilities of the position and own actions.
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Competencies – technical competence standards
The twelve elements of the competence standard for Engineering Technologists are set out below:
Engineering Technologist
Element One - Knowledge
Comprehend and apply knowledge underpinning good practice as an engineering technology
practitioner (Sydney Accord degree level)
Element Two – Local Knowledge
Comprehend and apply knowledge underpinning good practice as an engineering technology
practitioner that is specific to the jurisdiction in which he/she practices (NZ)
Element Three – Analyse Problems
Identify, clarify and analyse broadly-defined engineering problems in accordance with good
engineering practice
Element Four – Design or Develop Solutions
Design or develop solutions to broadly-defined engineering problems by applying accepted
procedures and methodologies
Element Five – Decision Making
Be responsible for making decisions on part or all of broadly-defined engineering activities
Element Six – Management
Manage part or all of one or more broadly-defined engineering activities in accordance with good
engineering management practice
Element Seven – Risk Management
Identify risks and apply risk management techniques to broadly-defined engineering problems
Element Eight – Ethical Conduct
Conduct engineering activities to an ethical standard at least equivalent to the relevant code of ethical
conduct
Element Nine – Recognise Foreseeable Effects
Recognise the reasonably foreseeable social, cultural and environmental effects of broadly-defined
engineering activities generally
Element Ten – Communication
Communicate clearly with others in the course of broadly defined engineering activities
Element Eleven – Maintain Currency
Maintain the currency of his or her engineering knowledge and skills
Element Twelve – Judgement
Exercise sound engineering judgement
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