DigiGo Lead Driver

The role is responsible for undertaking a range of vehicle driving duties and operational task management within Essex for DigiGo ensuring passengers are carried in a safe, cost effective and environmentally aware way. They also work collaboratively with the wider team to lead and take responsibility for key tasks essential to delivering a successful, public-facing service.

The role ensures the safe transfer of passengers between pick up and drop off for and that vehicles are driven in line with the requirements of the Highway Code and ECC driver guidelines.

The role will deliver a high-level of customer service to ensure customer queries are brought to a satisfactory conclusion by ensuring that messages are passed on and dealt with at a senior level where appropriate.

The role assists in promoting DigiGo by providing an exceptional service throughout Essex.

Accountabilities

• The role ensures that routes taken are as instructed and cost effective.


• Assisting management by co-ordinating drivers and supporting the delivery of a range of management tasks within the service. Workload will be split between this and driving for the service, based around business requirements.


• Form part of the Duty Manager rota, covering one week in a four-week rolling cycle.


• Responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operation of the vehicle, including the recording of statistical data relating to vehicle details, passengers carried and maintenance records.


• Responsible for routine maintenance of the vehicle and ensuring it is kept clean and tidy; ensuring the vehicle driven meets all legal requirements or ECC standards, where they exceed minimum legal requirements.


• Responsible for undertaking vehicle safety checks at the start of each shift and completing appropriate paperwork; ensuring the tail lift/disabled access equipment on the vehicle (if applicable) is mechanically sound and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.


• Responsible for ensuring that all ancillary equipment is stored appropriately in the vehicle in order to ensure safety is maintained and that that all passengers are safely secured during the journey; assisting passengers on and off the vehicle, as required.


• Representing DigiGo as first point of contact with passengers.


• Responsible for ensuring risk assessments for the vehicles and passengers are up to date, advising of any change in circumstances that require amendment to the risk assessment.


• Responsible for ensuring the passengers' health and wellbeing is of paramount concern whilst they are using the service.


• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
  
  Educated to A-Level or equivalent by experience.


• A CILT Level 3 or higher qualification in Professional Competence for Transport Manager (or prepared to work towards this)


• Holder of a valid driving licence with Category D1 entitlement.


• Previous experience of driving a passenger carrying minibus is essential, along with use and following navigation from an app.


• Previous experience of working with the public.


• Ability to carry out basic vehicle safety checks.


• Ability to lead and function as part of a team.


• Excellent communication skills.


• Ability to work under pressure and remain calm.


Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service