📍 Upper Hutt, Wellington Region | 🕒 Full Time, Permanent | 📁 Infrastructure Transport and Engineering
🚦 Turn transport strategy into practical programmes and projects for our growing city
🛣️ Lead transport investigations, business cases and network improvement planning
🤝 Work with partners and our community to shape safe, connected transport outcomes
Are you an experienced transport planner ready to turn strategic direction into practical improvements for a growing city?
Upper Hutt City Council is looking for an accomplished Senior Planner (Transport) to join our Infrastructure Transport and Engineering team.
This senior technical role leads the implementation of Upper Hutt’s Integrated Transport Strategy, translating strategic priorities into deliverable programmes and projects. You’ll combine transport planning and traffic engineering expertise to progress initiatives from investigation and options analysis through business cases, funding approvals and design, before handing completed designs to our project delivery teams.
About the role:
As Senior Planner (Transport), you’ll:
Develop and maintain a prioritised programme of transport investigations, initiatives and network improvements that supports Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy.
Undertake investigations, modelling and options assessments, and lead the development and implementation of speed management plans, road safety programmes and associated transport interventions.
Prepare business cases, project scopes, cost estimates, procurement documentation and funding applications, working with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi through investment and approval processes.
Lead concept and preliminary design, manage external consultants where required, and progress detailed designs and supporting documentation for handover to project delivery teams.
Support the forward transport capital works programme, including prioritisation, financial forecasting, reporting and input into Annual Plan, Long Term Plan and asset management processes.
Provide specialist transport planning and traffic engineering advice on development proposals, growth planning, resource consents and Traffic Impact Assessments.
Prepare clear technical advice and recommendations on transport matters, including traffic controls, speed management and parking controls within delegated authority.
Build effective relationships with Council teams, mana whenua, transport partners, developers, consultants and the community, supporting early and meaningful engagement.
You’ll bring sound technical judgement and a practical approach to improving network safety, accessibility, resilience, efficiency and sustainability. The role also participates in the team’s rostered after-hours response to network issues, incidents and urgent service requests.
What you’ll bring:
We’re looking for a credible and collaborative senior transport professional who combines strategic thinking with strong technical planning, project development and relationship skills.
Demonstrated senior-level transport planning experience in a New Zealand local government or NZ Transport Agency context.
Experience preparing transport-related business cases.
The ability to interpret and apply relevant transport legislation, standards, guidelines and industry practice.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess options and develop practical recommendations.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, including business case writing and presenting specialist advice to varied audiences.
A collaborative, customer-focused approach, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities and follow work through.
You’ll have:
A relevant tertiary qualification in transport planning, urban planning, transport engineering or a related discipline.
A current full Class 1 driver’s licence.
The ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
An understanding of the NZ Transport Agency business case approach and National Land Transport Programme funding requirements and cycles would be advantageous, along with practical knowledge of the Resource Management Act, Land Transport Act and Local Government Act. Familiarity with transport modelling tools and full membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute, Engineering New Zealand or an equivalent professional body would also be beneficial.
Why join us?
At Upper Hutt City Council, we’re all about working together to enhance the quality of life in our city. We value being approachable, acting with integrity, being courageous, working as one team and bringing positivity to what we do.
We offer:
A supportive and collaborative team environment
Varied work across transport planning, traffic engineering and project development
An opportunity to shape transport programmes and network improvements for a growing city
Flexible work options, ongoing learning and professional development
A chance to contribute to infrastructure that supports the Upper Hutt community
Sound like you?
We’d love to hear from you! Apply now and help turn transport strategy into safe, connected and deliverable outcomes for Upper Hutt.
If you would like to be considered for this role, please apply online: www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Council/Work-with-us/Current-vacancies.
All applications must include a cover letter, CV and a completed online Upper Hutt City Council application form.
📅 Applications close: 5pm, 6 November 2026.
We reserve the right to interview and select a candidate prior to the closing date.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE.