Assistant Planning Officer, West Lothian Civic Centre, 499.14 - WEL09879

West Lothian Council current; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Scotland is seeking an Assistant Planning Officer for a fixed-term position. The role involves delivering a development management service, primarily for householder applications, and making recommendations based on planning policies and legislation. Applicants should possess a degree in Town Planning or a relevant field, strong communication skills, and a valid driving license. This position offers an engaging opportunity to contribute to the planning process and assist the community in understanding planning permissions.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or another relevant subject.
• Knowledge of industry standard PC applications.
• Valid full driving license required.
• Good communication and report writing skills essential.
• Negotiating skills are required.
• Knowledge of core planning legislation needed.
• Ability to manage workload and prioritize projects.
• Familiarity with current best practices relevant to the role.
• Strong IT skills are important.

Responsibilities

• Provide development management services for householder applications.
• Make recommendations on planning applications based on legislation and policies.
• Negotiate improvements to proposals for house extensions.
• Respond to queries about planning permission requirements.
• Support the Development Management Manager in application processing.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiating skills

Report writing skills

Information technology skills

Education

Degree in Town Planning or relevant subject

Tools

PC applications

Graphics software

Mapping software

Word processing applications

Job description

Job Advert

36 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per year, fixed term for one year from start date

We are keen to employ a diverse workforce that reflects the people of Scotland. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly from groups currently under-represented, including people with disabilities, those from minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Planning Services are seeking to employ an Assistant Planning Officer in Development Management for a 1-year fixed term to work at Civic Centre, Livingston.

The purpose of an Assistant Planning Officer is to provide a development management service in respect of mainly householder applications and a number of other application types in West Lothian by making recommendations on these applications, using good judgement, knowledge of planning legislation, council policies and guidance.

To negotiate improvements to proposals for house extensions and other proposals where possible.

To respond to queries from householders in West Lothian about the requirement for planning permission.

To support the Development Management Manager in the checking, validation, registering, plotting of planning and related applications and to prepare the necessary support material to assist with determination of these applications.

Essential requirements for the post are:

• A degree in Town Planning or other relevant subject appropriate to the service.
• A knowledge of industry standard PC, graphics, mapping and word processing applications.
• Valid full driving license.
• Good communication and report writing skills.
• Negotiating skills.
• Knowledge of core planning legislation.
• Ability to manage workload to ensure delivery on priority projects.
• Knowledge of current and proposed best practice relevant to the responsibilities of the post.
• Good information technology skills.