Senior Planning Administration Officer

Dartmoor National Park Authority; Newton Abbot; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Dartmoor National Park Authority seeks a Senior Planning Administration Officer to enhance its Development Management service. This full-time role involves leading a team, managing planning-related inquiries, and ensuring high-quality administrative support while promoting professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous annual leave and flexitime policies

Cycle to work scheme

Access to electric vehicle pool car fleet

Local Government Pension Scheme

Beautiful office location with free parking and café

Discounts at National Park Visitor Centres and car parks

Qualifications

• Experience in administration and customer service in a complex environment.
• Proven experience of providing advanced administrative or technical support within a Local Authority Planning Department is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of high-quality technical and administrative support.
• Line manage a small team of Planning Administration Officers.
• Ensure effective workflow management and continuous improvement of administrative processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer Service

Organisational Skills

Proactivity

Education

Certificate in Planning

Planning Application Control System/GIS training

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Technical membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Job description

Senior Planning Administration Officer

Full-time (37 hours per week)
Grade 4 (with career progression to Grade 5)
Bovey Tracey, Devon

About Us

Dartmoor National Park Authority works in partnership with local and national stakeholders to conserve and enhance Dartmoor as a vibrant, living, working landscape and community teeming with natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.

We promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the special qualities of Dartmoor National Park, whilst also promoting the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.

We are now looking for a Senior Planning Administration Officer to join our team on a full-time, permanent basis, working 37 hours per week.

The Benefits

- Salary of £28,624 - £32,654 per annum (pay award pending)
- A clear path for career development and support for CPD
- Comprehensive training and mentoring to grow into a Grade 5 role
- Generous annual leave and flexitime policies
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to electric vehicle pool car fleet
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Beautiful office location on National Trust estate, with free parking and café on site
- Discounts at National Park Visitor Centres and car parks on Dartmoor

The Role

We’re looking to appoint a Senior Planning Administration Officer to lead the delivery of high-quality technical and administrative support across our busy Development Management service. The successful candidate will be appointed at Grade 4, with the opportunity to progress to Grade 5 as they develop their knowledge of planning legislation and demonstrate continued professional development.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual looking for career progression in planning administration. With the right commitment to learning and development, you’ll be supported to grow into the full scope of the role.

As a Senior Planning Administration Officer, you will oversee the co-ordination of all planning-related administrative enquiries, ensure effective workflow management, excellent customer service, and the continuous improvement of administrative processes that support the whole planning service.

Additionally, you will:

- Line manage the small team of Planning Administration Officers
- Support quality control and the high-quality performance of the planning service
- Prepare agendas and/or reports and take minutes at various meetings

About You

To join us as a Senior Planning Administration Officer, you will be:

- Organised and proactive, with strong leadership and communication skills
- Experienced in administration and customer service in a complex environment
- Confident in using digital systems, managing data, and improving processes
- Committed to high standards of service and continuous improvement
- Willing to learn and develop your understanding of planning policy and legislation

Proven experience of providing advanced administrative or technical support within a Local Authority Planning Department would be beneficial to your application.

The following training and qualifications would be desirable:

Certificate in Planning, Planning Application Control System/GIS training, an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and/or technical membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

With a commitment to professional development, you’ll be supported to expand your planning knowledge through training, mentoring and hands-on experience. Upon demonstrating the necessary skills, knowledge, and contributions, you may be eligible for progression to Grade 5.

The post is based at the Dartmoor National Park offices at Parke, Bovey Tracey.

For further information or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Human Resources.

Closing date: Monday, 16 June 2025 (12 noon).
Interview date: Thursday, 26 June 2025.

Dartmoor National Park Authority is a disability confident and an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.