Principal Enforcement Officer

Construction Group; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Flexible working

Career progression

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking a Principal Planning Enforcement Officer to lead the Enforcement Team handling minerals and waste development enforcement and monitoring. The post involves engaging with operators, landowners, the public and agencies to ensure compliance and to recommend enforcement actions where needed.

The role includes line management of three officers, delivering a robust enforcement service, and contributing to professional development within the planning team.

Qualifications

• Degree or post‑graduate qualification in planning or related subject.
• Chartered or technical RTPI membership.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience in minerals and/or waste planning and enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Enforcement Team and oversee investigations of breaches of planning control.
• Engage with site operators, landowners, the public and other bodies (e.g., Environment Agency).
• Advise on when planning permission is needed and recommend enforcement action where necessary.
• Supervise and develop a team of Planning Enforcement Officers.

Skills

Planning enforcement

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Planning degree or related subject

RTPI chartered/technical membership

Job description

Job Title: Principal Planning Enforcement Officer

Working Pattern: Full-time

Salary: £47,181 - £52,413

Location: Lancaster House, Lincoln (Hybrid - generally 1 to 2 days per week)

Closing Date: Sunday 30 August 2026

Interviews: On or around Monday 14 September 2026

LCC is seeking to appoint a Principal Planning Enforcement Officer to join the Enforcement Team which deals with minerals and waste development enforcement and monitoring.

About the role

Within the Planning Enforcement team, in partnership with others, we strive to ensure the natural and built environment of Lincolnshire is safeguarded. Lincolnshire County Council provides for the monitoring and enforcement of approximately 300 mineral and waste sites to include quarries, oil well sites, landfills, anaerobic digesters, waste transfer stations and waste recycling facilities, alongside responding to complaints from members of the public. Working within our dedicated Planning Enforcement Team and alongside our experienced Planning Officers, you will take the lead in engagement with site operators, landowners, the public and other bodies such as the Environment Agency and other local councils. You will have discretion to develop your negotiation skills to negotiate compliance, advise what needs to be done if planning permission is needed and recommend formal enforcement action where necessary. In this role you will be the line manager for a team of 3 Planning Enforcement Officers and will have responsibility for the investigation and resolution of breaches of planning control throughout the County and will be expected to contribute to the development of individuals across the planning team where appropriate.

About you

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Town Planning professional, with a degree, or post graduate qualification in planning or a related subject with chartered or technical membership of the RTPI. You will be expected to demonstrate leadership abilities, have excellent written and verbal communication skills and a desire to deliver a robust and responsive planning enforcement service. You will have sound knowledge of planning enforcement investigation and procedures, current legislation and guidance, and possess experience relevant to minerals and/or waste planning. You will have managerial and leadership skills and be proficient in time and workload management. The council operates a flexible working policy. The post is based at Lancaster House, in Lincoln, which is a modern open plan office, but day to day work is undertaken through hybrid working with attendance at the office generally required 1 or 2 days per week. You must hold a current driving licence and be able to visit sites anywhere in the county which range from schools, waste sites, landfill sites and quarries.

About Our Offer

Along with a competitive salary we are offering:

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Flexible working policies
• Career progression opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more

At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work–life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth. Find out more about our offer to you here.

Best of luck with your application.

For a confidential and informal discussion about the role please contact: Mike Daley – Applications Manager via email [e-mail]

Applications will close on 30th August 2026 and interviews will take place on or around 14th September 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your covering letter/personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy.

If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact [e-mail].

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working EmployerWe have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.

Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Politically Restricted Position Under The Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, this post has been identified as 'politically restricted'. Further information on the Council’s Politically Restricted Posts Policy can be viewed here.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.