Job Details: Job Reference: HCC623266 Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 per annum Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working) Hours per week: 37 Contract Type: Permanent Closing Date: 1 March 2026 Interview Date: w/c 9 March 2026 The Role: Early applications are encouraged as we may close the advert ahead of the stated closing date. Joining our School Transport Service as a Route Optimisation Officer, you’ll bring your motivation for using data, technology, and problem solving skills to improve public services. You’ll lead the strategic optimisation of school transport routes using QRoutes AI Vantage software, helping us identify and deliver a more cost effective, efficient, and sustainable transport network across both Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Mainstream provision. Focusing on high impact areas, you’ll use analytics, collaboration, and service insight to streamline operations and optimise school transport routes. What you’ll do: Use QRoutes AI Vantage software to review and optimise school transport routes across SEN and Mainstream services. Implement cost saving and efficiency strategies based on route optimisation findings. Analyse seat usage, vehicle capacity, and route efficiency to reduce overall transport spend. Collaborate across School Transport teams and operators to implement route changes effectively and support sustainability and service improvement goals. Support the use and integration of route planning software into transport planning approaches. Liaise with Commissioning Team for retendering routes, terminating contracts where optimisation identifies opportunity for change, and reallocating Passenger Assistants where appropriate. Apply policy guidance to reassess eligibility and safe walking routes. Communicate route changes clearly to parents, schools, Passenger Assistants, and transport operators. What we’re looking for: Experience in transport planning, logistics, or public sector service delivery, within a customer-focused environment. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and work with complex data. Experience using route optimisation tools, or confidence learning new software quickly. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to work independently while contributing collaboratively across teams. Strong IT skills, especially within Microsoft Office applications. High levels of attention to detail and strong organisational skills. Ability to prioritise, manage multiple tasks, and work under sustained pressure. Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Route Optimisation Officer role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application. Why join us? Work with innovative technology to shape a more sustainable, efficient future. Join a supportive, collaborative team with a shared commitment to service improvement. Gain valuable experience in route optimisation, data analysis, and strategic planning. Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice. A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here. Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying. Other roles you may have experience of may include: School Transport Optimisation Officer, School Transport Planning Officer, SEN and Mainstream Transport Planner, Transport Routing and Analytics Officer, School Transport Data Insights Officer, Route Optimisation Systems Officer, Strategic Route Planning Officer, School Transport Network Analyst Travel Requirements: You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary. Additional Information: Route Optimisation Officer Candidate Pack Vetting Requirements: The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview. Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jayne Ricketts, Eligibility and Contracts Manager on jayne.ricketts@hants.gov.uk or Rhys Powell, Commercial and Contracts Officer on rhys.powell@hants.gov.uk Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.