Planning Enforcement Officer/Senior Planning Enforcement Officer

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Coventry is looking for an Enforcement Officer to investigate planning complaints and support legal enforcement actions. The role involves mentoring junior officers and requires a full UK driving license. Candidates from various backgrounds are welcome, and the council offers a supportive work environment focused on development and inclusion.

Benefits

Rewards and benefits package

Disability Confidence Scheme

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Ability to follow policy and legislation.
• Experience in a related field is beneficial but not required.
• A full UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Investigate planning enforcement complaints and identify actions.
• Interpret technical/legal information and assess inquiries.
• Supervise works in default and prepare legal documents.
• Mentor junior officers in enforcement processes.

Skills

Attention to detail

Curiosity and questioning

Organized

Articulate

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C and above or equivalent

Tools

Motor vehicle for site visits

Job description

Overview

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create an inclusive workplace culture, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Role

The Enforcement Officer role sits within the Planning Development Management team, which supports the growth of the city and manages development from inception to delivery.

We're a friendly and forward-thinking team that helps one another. We have a can-do approach and are always striving to improve our service. We recognise the importance of developing a strong, robust and resilient team through learning and development.

Values

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Job Role

We have a vacancy in our Planning Enforcement Team for an Enforcement Officer or a Senior Enforcement Officer where the level of appointment will depend on experience. Our Enforcement Officer role offers opportunities for progression to senior level as set out in the attached job descriptions. Appointment will be based on experience and meeting the requirements of the respective job descriptions.

Responsibilities

• Investigate planning enforcement complaints, identifying appropriate courses of action ensuring all relevant legislation is considered and followed.
• Interpret technical / legal information, plans and legislation and make an initial assessment to progress each enquiry based upon the information and evidence received.
• Leading or supporting (depending on experience) on the supervision of works in default, including drafting schedules of work, site supervision and monitoring of payments.
• Prepare and/or support documents required by our Legal Services to enable them to prosecute enforcement breaches.
• Senior Planning Enforcement Officers will be expected to mentor Enforcement Officers in these processes.

Qualifications

You don't necessarily need to have a background in Planning as some of our previous enforcement officers have joined from a range of backgrounds. You will be organised, articulate and attention to detail with a natural flair of curiosity and questioning. Being able to follow policy and legislation and working proactively on your own initiative as well as part of a team is key.

You should have a good standard of education with GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C and above, or equivalent qualification.

You should hold a full UK driving licence and have the use of a motor vehicle to enable you to carry out site visits.

Disability Confidence

Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

Community

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Interview date: Week commencing 22nd September 2025