Planning Officer (Applications)

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils (trading as South & Vale); Abingdon; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils (trading as South & Vale) seek a Planning Officer to manage applications, enforcement, and policy tasks within the shared Planning Service. The role includes providing professional advice, attending site visits, and presenting at committees.

Grade 5/6 requirements include a planning degree, RTPI eligibility or membership, and a valid driving licence with access to a vehicle for travel across districts.

Qualifications

• Planning degree (or currently undertaking) or equivalent level of qualification.
• RTPI membership or in the process of applying for this.
• Full driving licence and use of a vehicle for travel to sites and meetings across districts.
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience (Grade 5) / 3 years (Grade 6)

Responsibilities

• Processing a range of planning applications and related applications.
• Providing professional advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing.
• Attend site visits and relevant council committees and forums, and present applications to planning committee.
• Deal with enforcement matters and carry out related duties.
• Prepare written representations and manage appeal processes independently.
• Undertake work for planning policy and support councillor training.
• Undertaking specific projects within the Planning Service as required.

Skills

Planning knowledge

RTPI membership/licence

Driving licence

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Planning degree

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Ordnance Survey maps

Job description

About The Role

Why join us

We believe in putting our people first – we work hard every day to make sure everyone can achieve a healthy and enjoyable work-life-balance. That is why we have a very flexible hours system.

We are seen as being customer focused, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high quality cost-effective service.

About the role

This role provides an opportunity to develop your skills and professional development within a shared Planning Service. You will be responsible for the effective processing of planning applications, enforcement work, appeals and policy work in accordance with best practice, local and government performance targets and the provision of professional advice on a wide range of planning matters ensuring a development team approach to the customer.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Processing a range of planning applications and associated applications
• Providing professional advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing on behalf of the Council in respect of planning and related issues, including providing pre-application advice
• Attend site visits and relevant council committees and forums,
• Presenting applications to planning committee
• Dealing with enforcement matters and carrying out associated duties as and when required
• Prepare written representation and hearing appeal cases and manage the process independently representing the council at hearings and provide assistance at public inquiries when required
• Undertake work for planning policy as and when required
• Undertaking specific projects within the Planning Service as and when required including supporting councillor training.

The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

In addition for Grade 6:

• Processing a range of more complex planning and associated applications including, enforcement work, appeals and policy work with the ability to work on and assess the proposals independently
• Providing professional advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing on behalf of the Council in respect of more complex planning and related issues, including providing pre-application advice with the ability to work on and assess the proposals independently
• Preparing a range of appeal cases including written representations, hearings and Public Inquiries and managing the process independently, representing the council as a witness when required

Essential criteria for the role

Grade 5

• Planning degree (or currently undertaking this), or equivalent level of qualification
• Minimum of 2 years relevant experience
• Student membership of the RTPI or Licentiate member or in the process of applying for this
• Hold a full and current driving licence and have use of a vehicle insured for business use or have the means to visit sites and attend meetings across districts

Grade 6

• Planning degree (or currently undertaking this), or equivalent level of qualification
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a related area to planning
• Eligibility for Membership of the RTPI or Licentiate member or in the process of applying for this
• Hold a full and current driving licence and have use of a vehicle insured for business use or have the means to visit sites and attend meetings across districts

Key responsibilities for the role

1. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, an investigative, methodical and accurate approach to work and excellent IT skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet and email;
2. Be able to give clear, accurate advice on procedure; good, professional accurate written communication skills and the ability to make assessments, recommendations and where appropriate decisions independently;
3. Ability to manage your work and meet performance targets, ability to work as a part of a team and support team members and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and equality;
4. Ability to interpret scale drawings and Ordnance Survey maps and a strong knowledge of planning legislation coupled with the ability to interpret policies and planning law;
5. Strong oral communication skills and experience in giving succinct and well-argued presentations and good proven skills in relating well to members and the general public;

A full list of the duties this role provides, as well as the benefits we offer, can be found within the job description.

Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and are unable to support visa applications. To be considered for this role, you must already have the legal right to work in the UK. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please refer to the UK Government's guidance before applying.