Planning Officer (Enforcement)

Chelmsford City Council; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental authority in Chelmsford seeks a motivated Planning Enforcement Officer to join their team. Responsibilities include investigating alleged breaches of planning controls, conducting research, preparing detailed reports, and liaising with public members. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and negotiation skills, extensive knowledge of Town Planning legislation, and the ability to undertake investigations with minimal supervision. This full-time role may accommodate job sharing and requires a valid UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; confidence to conduct investigations in challenging circumstances.
• Pro-active with strong organisational and analytical skills to undertake investigative research.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Town Planning legislation and experience dealing with complex planning matters with minimal supervision.
• Essential to have use of a car and hold a full UK driving licence or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complex alleged breaches of planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act.
• Carry out research and prepare reports recommending action.
• Take formal action that is expedient including attending Courts and Public Inquiries.
• Maintain precise records and produce well-written and detailed reports and appeal statements.

Skills

Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Strong organisational and analytical skills

Knowledge of Town Planning legislation

Confidence in conducting investigations

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a confident, motivated, outgoing and highly literate individual to join our Planning Enforcement Team. The successful applicant will investigate complex alleged breaches of planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act, carry out research, prepare reports recommending action, liaise with elected Members and members of the public, and take any formal action that is expedient. There may be a need for you to carry out formal interviews, attend Courts and Public Inquiries and to serve formal notices.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complex alleged breaches of planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act.
• Carry out research, prepare reports recommending action, and liaise with elected Members and members of the public.
• Take formal action that is expedient; may include carrying out formal interviews, attending Courts and Public Inquiries, and serving formal notices.
• Maintain precise records and produce well written and detailed reports and appeal statements.

Qualifications and skills

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; confidence to conduct investigations in challenging circumstances.
• Pro-active with strong organisational and analytical skills to undertake investigative research.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Town Planning legislation and experience dealing with complex planning matters with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work 37 hours per week; job share considerations may apply.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• Essential to have use of a car and hold a full UK driving licence or equivalent.

Working arrangements and safeguarding

Please note should sufficient applications be received prior to the closing date, we may close the role for applications early.

As an accredited Essex Family Friendly Employer, this full-time role can be job-shared or part-time if we can fill the remaining hours. Please mention this in your supporting statement. for more details please visit: https://www.essex.gov.uk/family-friendly-charter.

Chelmsford City Council is committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups and expects all employees to share this commitment and have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services. The Council's Safer Recruitment process contains pre-employment checks which includes safeguarding training, obtaining references and ensuring compliance with Disclosure and Barring Service process.

Equity and recruitment

Chelmsford City Council is committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups and expects all employees to share this commitment and have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services. The Council's Safer Recruitment process contains pre-employment checks which includes safeguarding training, obtaining references and ensuring compliance with Disclosure and Barring Service process.