Route Optimisation Officer
| Posting date: | 12 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,178 to £36,369 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 March 2026 |
| Location: | Winchester, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | Hampshire County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | HCC623266 |
Summary
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.
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.
To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.
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
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.
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.
To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.
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
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