Planning Support Assistant (Grade 12)

Nations Recruitment; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body is seeking a Support Assistant in Taunton to manage the daily operations for the Head of Planning. The role involves coordinating meetings, handling correspondence, and ensuring smooth communication within a busy environment. Success in this role requires strong IT skills, the ability to prioritize, and excellent communication. You will support senior staff in their strategic duties while maintaining a high level of confidentiality. Flexible working options available with an immediate start.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSE passes (or equivalent) including English and Maths.
• Good IT skills and experience using Microsoft Applications.
• Ability to communicate easily with the public and senior staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily tasks for the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers.
• Handle scheduling, correspondence, and professional errands.
• Adapt to changing demands in a dynamic environment.

Skills

Good IT skills including experience using Microsoft Applications

Ability to manage and prioritise emails and correspondence

Ability to produce letters and documents quickly and accurately

Good attention to detail

Ability to communicate at any level

Ability to manage diaries and schedule meetings

Discreet and able to maintain confidentiality

Education

Minimum of 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths

Vocational Secretarial/Executive Support qualifications

Job description

Job Category: Planning

Job location: The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY, United Kingdom

Employer: Somerset Council

Hours per week: 37

Start date: Immediate start

Salary: £14.82 per hour

Remote: 3‑4 days remote, 1‑2 days in the office. Some travel between sites.

Role Purpose

Provides a complete and comprehensive support and daily business management service to the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers, ensuring they are informed, briefed, and prepared to undertake their duties effectively. This includes managing their schedule, coordinating meetings, researching, working through progress, responding to correspondence, and handling telephone enquiries to assist with the effective management and operation of the Planning Service.

As a Support Assistant, the postholder exercises judgement and discretion in determining daily priorities. They are responsible for managing every aspect of the manager’s day, taking care of key tasks such as booking meetings and appointments, organising correspondence, drafting business letters, managing email communication, and running professional errands. By handling these tasks, the assistant allows the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers to focus on more strategic aspects of their role.

The role requires a large amount of autonomy; the postholder must be adept at prioritisation and able to work with very little guidance from extremely busy managers. A deep understanding of their needs is necessary to make sound decisions under pressure. The individual must adapt to changing demands in a dynamic, political, and high‑profile environment.

Qualifications / Knowledge / Skills / Experience

Qualifications – Essential

• Minimum of 5 GCSE passes (or equivalent) including English and Maths or relevant experience

Qualifications – Desirable

• Vocational Secretarial/Executive Support/Personal Assistant qualifications

Knowledge – Essential

• Good IT skills including experience using Microsoft Applications
• Principles of good customer service
• Values and promotes equality and diversity
• Principles of data protection

Skills – Essential

• Ability to manage and prioritise Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers emails and correspondence
• Ability to manage information and produce routine correspondence
• Ability to produce letters and other documents quickly and accurately to meet deadlines
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to work without supervision, using initiative to prioritise own and team workload, and to plan ahead to ensure deadlines are met
• Ability to communicate easily at any level with the public, elected members of the Council, senior staff in Government Departments, other organisations, and other Somerset Council staff
• Ability to convey information on complex or contentious issues both verbally and in writing
• Ability to influence and motivate colleagues and to work well as part of a team
• Ability to be creative in problem solving and identifying areas of improvement
• Managing diaries and scheduling relevant meetings
• Managing correspondence, and emails and distributing as appropriate
• Preparing correspondence, spreadsheets, and presentations
• Providing an accurate and confidential administration service
• Administration of management events and meetings
• Accurate and methodical
• Flexible and committed approach
• Able to be discreet and maintain confidentiality
• Enthusiastic and self‑motivated
• Support for colleagues in busy times and providing holiday cover

Experience – Desirable

• Local government and/or public sector experience, working with elected members in a political environment

Dimensions of role

Undertakes other duties in support of the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers as required.