Planning Technical Support Officer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Lowestoft; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in East Suffolk is seeking a Planning Technical Support Officer to provide vital administrative support. This position requires excellent customer service skills, experience in busy offices, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Applicants should have at least four GCSEs, including English and Math. The role offers a generous leave entitlement and opportunities for training. Ideal for individuals looking to develop their careers in a supportive environment with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement

Local government pension scheme

Free car parking

Discounts on various products and services

Qualifications

• At least two years experience in keyboard or typing work within a public or private sector organisation.
• Confident using Microsoft Office applications.
• Solid background in busy administrative or office environments.
• Ability to provide clear advice and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical administrative support to Planning teams.
• Respond to customer inquiries related to planning applications.
• Validate planning applications and assist with submissions.
• Promote Planning services and identify opportunities for growth.

Skills

Customer focus

Confident in Microsoft Office

Keyboard or typing work experience

Communication skills

Education

Minimum of four GCSEs including English Language and Maths

Job description

Description

• East Suffolk Council Riverside Lowestoft NR33 0EQ and East Suffolk House Melton Woodbridge IP12 1RT
• 26403 - 28142 per annum
• Band 3
• 37 hours per week
• Permanent

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We currently have exciting new opportunities to join the East Suffolk Councils Planning Support Team as a Planning Technical Support Officer.

Are you passionate about delivering excellent customer service and supporting key planning functions?

We’re looking for proactive and detail-oriented individuals to provide vital technical administrative support to our Development Management Planning Policy and Building Control teams. This role will play a key part in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of these services while offering clear advice and resolution to a wide range of customer enquiries, helping us deliver a high-quality experience and great value for our community.

The Technical Support Officer will be the first point of contact for a wide range of customer enquiries including those related to planning and building control applications. Whether by phone, email or letter you’ll provide clear advice and accurate information ensuring all customer commitments are met promptly and in line with our Planning Service Standards.

You’ll support customers in accessing and navigating the Council’s digital platforms helping them find the information they need with confidence. You’ll also play a key role in validating planning and building control applications working closely with line managers to advise applicants and agents when submissions are incomplete or require further details. Using a variety of systems and records you’ll retrieve and manage essential information to support service delivery. Promoting our Planning and Building Control services with a commercially aware approach, identifying opportunities to grow and encourage repeat business is also an integral part of this exciting role.

As part of the Development Management team contributing towards the team achieving service plan goals and upholding the principles of our Quality Management System (e.g. ISO : 9001 : 2015) is a vital aspect of the role. Your input will help drive continuous improvement across the service.

We’re looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas and a collaborative mindset. You’ll be encouraged to recommend service improvements both within Planning Services and across the wider Council and take part in benchmarking activities with other authorities to help shape future developments.

To succeed in this role you’ll:

• Bring at least two years experience in keyboard or typing work within either a public or private sector organisation
• Be confident using Microsoft Office applications
• Have a solid background in busy administrative or office environments.
• Have a strong customer focus along with the ability to provide clear advice and guidance.
• Be committed to your own development and actively support training initiatives.

We value positive communication so you’ll be someone who encourages constructive relationships and helps develop effective staff feedback methods.

A minimum of four GCSEs including English Language and Maths (or equivalent) is required.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t meet all of the essential requirements please apply. If you are looking for a role that combines administrative duties with the potential for growth and increased responsibility we would love to hear from you.

Why work for us

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. To find out more about why we are so proud of East Suffolk Council take a look at our video and hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work.

Benefits

Great opportunities for training and development

Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 24 days a year increasing to 30 days after 5 years service plus bank holidays)

Local government pension scheme

Free car parking (for when you are working in the office)

Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

Please see our benefits brochure for further information.

The majority of our teams are working in an agile way with a mixture of home and office working depending on individual preferences and service requirements. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements if you were the successful candidate please contact the recruiting manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

For an informal discussion regarding this post please contact Tina Crisp or email.

Closing date: 12pm Sunday 12 October 2025.

Interview date: Week commencing 3 November 2025.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification.

Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement template. Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification. Please use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).

Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note CVs are not accepted.

For more information check out the How to Apply section of our Career Site.