Senior Planning Officer (Grade 9) - Planning

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; Yate; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Somerset is seeking a planning professional to manage a caseload of applications and provide guidance to planning officers. The successful candidate will require a degree in Town Planning and RTPI membership eligibility. Excellent negotiation and stakeholder communication skills are essential. This role offers a salary of £36.25 per hour with a working schedule of 37 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Membership of (or eligibility to join) the RTPI is essential.
• Experience of working at a Senior level in Development Management.

Responsibilities

• Process and determine planning applications.
• Provide support to planning officers and consultees.
• Attend hearings and public enquiries as an expert witness.

Skills

Good negotiation skills

Ability to communicate with stakeholders

Organizing and planning workloads

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related subject

Job description

Job Category: Planning
Job location: King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AR, Somerset Council
Hours per week: 37
Start date: Immediate start
Salary: £36.25 per hour

Role Purpose

To be responsible for the processing and determination of a varied and complex caseload of planning applications (including major development - economic, inward investment, change of use and residential schemes) across Somerset, through negotiation with developers and their agents, considering third party comments, liaising with members and drafting reports to Planning Committee and for delegated decisions.

To provide support and guidance to planning officers and consultees dealing with the processing of planning applications, undertaking monitoring and compliance functions and other planning functions to meet agreed timescales, make robust decisions, and deliver appropriate development. To prepare appeal statements and attend hearings and public enquiries as expert witness in connection with planning and enforcement appeals, to represent the Local Planning Authority and defend its decisions.



Qualifications:

Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. The postholder will require membership of (or be eligible to join) the RTPI (Essential)



Knowledge:

Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters (Essential)

Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law and relevant legislation (Essential)

Interpretation of legislation - interpretation of relevant planning legislation and case law in respect of issues arising from pre-application enquiries, applications, appeals and planning enforcement (Essential)



Skills:

Good negotiation skills and the ability to contribute positively to the resolution of issues (Essential)

Working under pressure and to strict deadlines, prioritising, organising, and planning own and others fluctuating workloads (Essential)

Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders clearly and proactively (Essential)

Adaptation and responding to change (Essential)

Ability to use influence and persuasion to achieve objectives (Essential)

Ability to use thoughtful judgement to manage complex service delivery (Essential)

Flexible approach to the working day (Essential)

Shares knowledge and expertise with others (Essential)



Experience:

Should have experience of working at a Senior level in Development Management and demonstrate the ability to manage a caseload and competing workloads to maintain performance targets (Essential)

Should have experience of defending the Council at appeal (Hearing/Inquiry) (Desirable)

Should have experience of working within a team to support team development and CPD (Essential)