Planning Officer

Job Summary by the careerbalance.co.uk Team:

54Job Description:

We are looking for a Planning Officer that will report to the Principal Planning Officer will contribute to the delivery of the planning (including enforcement) service in one of the area base development management teams.

The Planning Officer will form part of a busy area based development management team and will play a key role in ensuring the effective delivery of the statutory processes.

The post holder will help to ensure that the service effectively engages with its customers, including the general public, communities, applicants, stakeholders and the development industry in the planning service; and this may include attending community consultation events and Town and Parish meetings as appropriate to support senior officers and management.

The post holder will deal with a case load of planning applications and related planning matters including some of a major or contentious nature and may be expected to attend Council meetings, including Planning Committee meetings to support senior officers or managers in their presentation of reports in relation to planning matters.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To process a wide range of planning applications, including some of a major or contentious nature, through the preparation of written reports, in accordance with Council policies, relevant Government legislation and guidance, as well as other appropriate policies and planning considerations.
• To prepare and present Planning Appeal Statements for the Authority and represent the Council at subsequent hearing as required.  To assist senior officers in presenting the Council’s case at Inquiries.
•  The provision of technical advice and guidance to potential Developers, Members of the Council and the general public.
•  The provision of professional advice and guidance to potential Developers, Members of the Council and the general public and to carry out negotiations with applicants ensuring that     Council policy and practices with regard to pre-application enquiries, including those relating        to performance management, are adhered to.
• To undertake enforcement investigations relating to non-compliance with planning conditions and breaches of planning control.
•  To support senior officers by attending public exhibitions, meetings, including with community groups, Town and Parish Council’s and the AAP for a locality to advise communities on planning issues.
•  To adhere to corporate and planning performance standards and targets.
• The above is not exhaustive and the post holder will be expected to undertake any duties which may reasonably fall within the level of responsibility and the competence of the post as directed by the Principal Planning Officer.

The candidates must have:

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant in town planning qualification or significant recent experience of development control services including processing of planning enquiries, planning applications and related matters
• Recent experience of development control and planning enforcement services.
• Experience of preparing documentation on behalf of the Authority as part of the planning appeal process
• Experience of advising senior officers on development control and enforcement issues
• Up to date knowledge of all planning legislation and process/procedures relevant to discipline
• Knowledge of relevant national, regional and local planning policy pertinent to planning discipline
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of people from different backgrounds
• Ability to demonstrate customer orientated approach to development control and enforcement service delivery.
• Ability to establish stakeholder relationships and to communicate effectively with a wide range of partners; including other Officers of similar disciplines both from within the Authority and external
• Ability to recognise key issues, identify problems and find, and implement, solutions
• Familiarity with and ability to use relevant ICT infrastructure
• knowledge of service planning issues relating to development control and enforcement including national and local performance framework
• knowledge of community engagement and customer first approach to service delivery
• Range of communication skills, including listening, presenting information, facilitating group discussions and giving effective feedback in one-to-ones
• Ability to demonstrate a can do and pragmatic approach to service delivery
• Out-going personality with enthusiasm and self motivation
• Ability to show determination to achieve results; to see complex projects through to completion
• Willingness/ability to work on own initiative and/or as part of a team, maintaining high levels of integrity and discretion.
• Positive and can do approach to service delivery
• Willingness to undertake flexible working arrangements to meet service and project requirements
• Persevering and problem-solving approach
• Access to a car or means of mobility support (if driving then must have a current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance)

Location: Corten House Durham DH1 5UL