Data Technician

East Suffolk Council; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Lowestoft seeks an organized Data Technician to support the Planning Support Services Team. Key responsibilities include data input, quality checks, and document management to ensure compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate has administrative experience, strong IT skills, and knowledge of planning legislation. Position offers competitive benefits and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement

Local government pension scheme

Free car parking

Training and development opportunities

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Relevant administrative experience from public or private sector.
• At least two years of keyboard and data entry experience.
• Familiarity with IT projects and Microsoft Office programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Planning Support and Property Information Team.
• Input and reconcile data onto the Council's Data Management system.
• Conduct quality checks on scanned images to maintain documentation integrity.

Skills

Administrative experience

Data entry experience

Microsoft Office proficiency

Knowledge of Planning and Building Control legislation

Handling legal documents

Education

Minimum of four GCSEs, including English Language and Maths

Tools

CAPS

IDOX

DMS

Job description

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people's lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We currently have an exciting new opportunity to join the East Suffolk Council's Planning Support Services Team as a Data Technician.

Are you enthusiastic about delivering excellent customer service and supporting key planning functions? We're looking for an initiative-taking and meticulous person to provide administrative support to the Planning Support and Property Information Team to input and reconcile data onto the Council's Data Management system. Collaborating closely with the team and other relevant officers to ensure the accurate recording of historic and current data, management of deep storage documents, redaction, and disposal of documents under the Council's document retention policies and meeting GDPR requirements.

As part of this role, you will assist in preparing files for processing in line with the Planning and Building Control data management strategy, ensuring accuracy and consistency throughout. You'll be responsible for conducting quality checks on scanned images, confidently identifying any issues, and taking remedial action to maintain the integrity of the Council's documentation. The role also involves scanning documents using the Council's Corporate Document Management system, contributing to the efficient digitisation of records. Additionally, you will manage the downloading and importing of electronic files into the Document Management system, supporting the smooth and secure handling of digital data.

In this role, you'll support the Planning Support and Property Information Team by helping to ensure that the Council's Data Monitoring Systems align with other financial and data systems, raising any anomalies where necessary. You'll maintain accurate records using Microsoft Office programs, covering the processing, quality checking, and destruction of Planning and Building Control files, including managing files for back-scanning either in-house or via third-party providers.

You'll also be involved in relocating filing systems to newly identified areas and arranging them in chronological order as required. A key part of the role includes contributing to the delivery of tasks and improvements outlined in the Planning Services Service Plan, while helping to maintain the Council's ISO:9001:2015 Quality Management System accreditation. You'll be expected to perform any other duties that arise from the responsibilities listed, and to consistently demonstrate the organisation's workplace values, helping to promote a positive and supportive working environment.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, the ideal candidate will bring relevant administrative experience from either a public or private sector background, along with at least two years of keyboard and data entry experience. Familiarity with IT projects and a solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs is essential. A good understanding of Planning and Building Control legislation and associated information systems-such as CAPS, IDOX, and DMS-is highly desirable. Experience in handling legal documents and maintaining accurate records will also be key to success in this role.

A minimum of four GCSEs, including English Language and Maths (or equivalent), is required.

Benefits

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. Some of the main benefits include:

• Great opportunities for training and development
• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 24 days a year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays)
• Local government pension scheme
• Free car parking (for when you are working in the office)
• Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 1st November 2025

Interview date: week commencing 24th November 2025

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Emma Cankovic or Tina Crisp.