Senior Enforcement Officer

Adur & Worthing Councils; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Worthing is seeking a Senior Enforcement Officer to lead enforcement actions across planning and building regulations. This role involves complex investigations, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring compliance with local legal frameworks. The position offers a salary ranging from £47,181 to £51,356, along with generous leave entitlements and flexible working options. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and experience in planning enforcement.

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement

Local Government Pension

Training & development

Occupational Health

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and enforcement processes.
• Ability to interpret complex information and prepare documentation.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enforcement of planning and building regulations.
• Investigate complaints and ensure compliance with legislation.
• Supervise and mentor junior officers.
• Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Customer service

Investigative skills

Mentoring

Communication

Job description

Post title

Senior Enforcement Officer

Post No

44078

Salary

Starting from £47,181 to £51,356 per annum

Grade

Grade 8

Hours

37 hours per week

Place of work

Worthing Town Hall/hybrid

Closing date

11th January 2026 at 23:55 pm

Interviews

TBC

We are looking for an experienced Senior Enforcement Officer to join our team.

While mainly operating joint services, Adur & Worthing remain as separate planning authorities and therefore offer a unique opportunity to work across both Councils with their own respective Local Plans, Development Management policies and Planning Committees. The work is therefore diverse and rewarding and requires an agile way of working to ensure the priorities of both Councils are met.

As a Senior Enforcement Officer you will take the lead in enforcing all relevant legislation across Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council.

The duties of the post will include:

• To perform the lead role for the Council on planning, listed building advertisement and tree related enforcement complaints, many of which may be of a complex or controversial nature including the drafting, reviewing, preparation and the service of delegated and committee reports and statutory notices where necessary.
• Investigate all planning enforcement complaints in line with relevant legislation including the interpretation of information and plans to consider each enquiry and identifying the most appropriate course of action.
• Prepare relevant documentation in consultation with the Legal Services team to ensure the appropriate action is taken where necessary.
• Supervision and mentoring of the Planning Enforcement Officer with regard to the above processes. Provide support, mentoring and supervision including reviewing each case, maintaining accurate case logs and making decisions in accordance with the Council's Enforcement Plan.
• Liaison with the Development Management Manger, Head of Planning & Development and other other officers within the Regenerative Development section.
• To maintain a high level of customer service with internal and external bodies and to create and maintain effective working relationships.
• To consider continued service improvement, with a digital by default approach.

Staff are our most important asset and we therefore have a benefit package which reflects our continuing commitment to our employees. This includes:

• Generous leave entitlement; a minimum of 26 days + Bank Holiday entitlement
• Local Government Pension
• Training & development
• Occupational Health
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee resource groups/networks
• Buddy Support Programme
• Flexible working options

Further details regarding this role are contained within the Job Description and Person Specification. If this sounds like the role for you, we look forward to receiving your application!

At Adur & Worthing, we are committed to supporting care leavers, in accordance with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. To that end, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone meeting the essential criteria of the role they are applying for. In order to be considered for this, you will need to be a care leaver under the age of 25 at the time of application. Please confirm that you are a care leaver in the "Showing how you meet the person specification and job description" section of the application form.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of applicants declaring a disability, that meet the essential criteria for this position, will be offered an interview.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Staff work in a supportive and safe environment, recognising their responsibility to value and respect each other's contributions. Standards of conduct must be of the highest level to ensure that no-one is harassed, bullied or victimised. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, staff engagement forums and are keen to hear from applicants from a variety of different backgrounds.

Salary range

• £47,181 - £51,356 per year