Planning Officer

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a Grade 8 Planning Officer to develop planning careers in a supportive environment. You will manage a varied caseload of small scale development applications including householder proposals and work collaboratively with communities and external organizations. Applicants should ideally have a degree in Town Planning or relevant experience. The role offers a flexible working schedule and generous employee benefits.

Benefits

Local government pension

Flexible working

Generous holiday allowance

In-house learning hub

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Town Planning or a related subject.
• Previous relevant experience in a planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of planning policies and principles.

Responsibilities

• Deal with small scale applications for development proposals.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for applications.
• Collaborate with developers and external bodies.

Skills

Knowledge of planning system

Communication skills

Collaboration abilities

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related subject

Experience in a planning environment

Job description

As a Grade 8 Planning Officer, You Will Have The Opportunity To Develop Your Planning Career In a Beautiful And Iconic Area Which Has

• an outstanding historic environment including thousands of listed buildings, national landscape designations, and England’s only natural World Heritage Site - the Jurassic Coast.
• Dorset is also a place of growth and innovation with a population of 380,000 and an economy worth around £8.1 billion.
• We have a friendly and supportive work environment where you’ll have the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive.
• You will be provided with the technology to work between our offices, home or other suitable locations to enable a healthy work-life balance and to support your wellbeing.
• The Council offers a range of employee benefits including a local government pension, flexible working, a generous holiday allowance as well as an in-house learning hub and development opportunities.
• If you are looking for a new and exciting challenge to develop your Planning career, then Dorset offers everything you need.

What You Can Expect To Be Doing

We are a bold and ambitious planning service taking Dorset into the future. Dealing with over 5000 applications a year - with everything from urban extensions, retail schemes and renewable energy projects to small scale agricultural and householder projects working for Dorset Council’s planning service really does have something for everyone.

As a Grade 8 Planning Officer You Would Be Part Of a 'fast Track' Team In The Northern Area Of Dorset Which Covers Dorchester, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury And Gillingham With a Varied Caseload Of Primarily Small Scale Applications Submitted As Householder And Minor Development Proposals Including

• permitted development enquiries,
• householder and other small scale development,
• advertisement consent,
• prior approvals,
• certificates of lawfulness,
• and applications for listed building consent.

You will work with developers, communities, colleagues within the Council and external bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency to bring forward appropriate new development.

Preparing reports and recommendations for applications, responding to appeals by written representation. You would have the opportunity to learn about Development Management and start your career in Planning in a supportive team environment.

About You

Applicants are generally expected to hold a degree or equivalent in Town Planning or a related subject; or a degree in an unrelated subject and previous relevant experience in a planning environment in either public or private sector. Whilst holding a degree would be an advantage, applicants who do not hold a degree can still be considered for this role, providing they can demonstrate relevant previous experience in a planning environment.

Your knowledge of the planning system, and relevant policies and principles, will enable you to play an essential part in securing appropriate development for Dorset.

You’ll have an ability to communicate and collaborate proactively with communities, developers, and colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for Dorset.