Planning Officer

MALDON DISTRICT COUNCIL; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Maldon District Council is seeking a Planning Officer on a three-month temporary basis, with two days per week on-site attendance. The role involves delivering timely planning guidance, assessing applications, and preparing reports for Members, developers and the public.

You will support the development of planning strategies and policies, maintain accurate records and databases, and ensure compliance with legislation, local policies and data protection requirements.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Environmental Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Eligibility to work towards Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or equivalent professional body.
• Understanding of the planning system, relevant legislation, and national and local planning policies.
• Awareness of sustainable development principles and their application in a local authority context.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and approaches in a public sector environment.
• Understanding of data protection and information management principles.
• Awareness of planning procedures, including consultations, enforcement, and community engagement.
• Familiarity with digital systems, GIS, and other IT tools used in planning service delivery is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning team in delivering high-quality planning services that balance community, environmental, and regulatory considerations.
• The assessment and processing of planning applications, ensuring compliance with legislation, local policies, and national planning guidance.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and planning advice for internal and external stakeholders, including Members, developers, and the public.
• Support the development and delivery of planning strategies, policies, and projects that enable sustainable growth and positive community outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records and databases, ensuring information is up-to-date, accessible, and compliant with data protection requirements.
• Contribute to consultations with internal teams, external agencies, and community stakeholders, providing advice and guidance as required.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, supporting initiatives to enhance efficiency, customer service, and compliance within the planning service.
• Develop professional knowledge and expertise in planning practice, legislation, and policy, applying learning to support effective decision-making.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Public sector service

Data protection

Community engagement

GIS familiarity

Education

Undergraduate degree in Planning or related discipline

Eligibility to work towards MRTPI

Tools

GIS

Job description

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Maldon District Council to recruit a Planning Officer on a three-month temporary basis. Please note that this role requires 2 days a week site attendance. Role Purpose: To provide a range of timely and effective guidance, ensuring compliance, good practice, risk management and enabling the Council to deliver for its customers.

• To support the planning team in delivering high-quality planning services that balance community, environmental, and regulatory considerations.
• The assessment and processing of planning applications, ensuring compliance with legislation, local policies, and national planning guidance.
• The preparation of reports, recommendations, and planning advice for internal and external stakeholders, including Members, developers, and the public.
• To support the development and delivery of planning strategies, policies, and projects that enable sustainable growth and positive community outcomes.
• To maintain accurate records and databases, ensuring information is up-to-date, accessible, and compliant with data protection requirements., The assessment and processing of planning applications, ensuring adherence to relevant legislation, policies, and guidance.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and supporting documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including Members, developers, and the public.
• Support the implementation and development of local planning policies, strategies, and projects to deliver sustainable development outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records and planning databases, ensuring information is up-to-date, accessible, and compliant with data protection requirements.
• Contribute to consultations with internal teams, external agencies, and community stakeholders, providing advice and guidance as required.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, supporting initiatives to enhance efficiency, customer service, and compliance within the planning service.
• Develop professional knowledge and expertise in planning practice, legislation, and policy, applying learning to support effective decision-making.
• Provide professional support to more senior planners and contribute to collaborative team projects, including research, data analysis, and policy development, Maldon District Council is an equal opportunities employer and therefore all staff are expected to comply with our equality policies and help create a work environment in which everyone is treated with dignity, respect, courtesy and fairness. You are also expected to fully comply with health and safety policies and procedures in force to help maintain and develop a safe working environment. In pursuing a practice of continuous improvement and seeking to obtain best value in all aspects of the service, staff will be expected to assist in other such duties as may be allocated for the benefit of the organisation and their own personal development. Staff will be expected to assist if the council has to deal with the results of a civil emergency.

• An undergraduate degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Environmental Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Eligibility to work towards Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or equivalent professional body.
• Understanding of the planning system, relevant legislation, and national and local planning policies.
• Awareness of sustainable development principles and their application in a local authority context.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and approaches in a public sector environment.
• Understanding of data protection and information management principles.
• Awareness of planning procedures, including consultations, enforcement, and community engagement.
• Familiarity with digital systems, GIS, and other IT tools used in planning service delivery is desirable.