Specialist Development Management Officer

Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council; Penmorfa, Aberaeron; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Wales is seeking a Specialist Development Management Officer. The role includes processing complex planning applications and acting as the case officer for significant projects. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications, extensive experience, and a commitment to high-quality service. Fluency in Welsh is required, with training support offered. The role also promotes work-life balance with hybrid and flexi-time options.

Benefits

Hybrid Working

Flexi-time

Generous employer pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge and extensive experience in Development Management.
• Ability to manage and process major planning applications.
• Strong commitment to high-quality service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Process major and complex planning applications and EIA developments.
• Act as case officer for Developments of National Significance.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to colleagues.

Skills

Fluent in Welsh

Communication skills

Report writing

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in Town and Country Planning or related discipline

Chartered membership of the RTPI

Job description

We operate a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

Specialist Development Management Officer

We are looking to recruit a suitably qualified, experienced and highly motivated individual to join the Council’s Development Management Service on a permanent, full-time basis.

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for processing major and complex planning applications and EIA developments and will also act as the LPA’s case officer for Developments of National Significance (DNS) and Significant Infrastructure Projects, involving large scale infrastructure developments, including renewable energy, waste, water and transport projects.

The post offers a range of diverse professional challenges but also the ability to make a real impact on key strategic developments across the county, including housing, employment, renewable energies, infrastructure and other growth opportunities. So if you’re passionate about making a tangible impact on the future of our county then we want to hear from you.

On a day to day basis you will:

• assist with the delivery of a professional planning service, by sensitively managing land usage and development in the County
• provide pre-application advice to developers and advise on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements
• manage multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement with developers, statutory consultees, Welsh Government, Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) and local communities
• process applications for planning permission, most notably major and complex planning applications and EIA developments
• act as case officer for Developments of National Significance (DNS) / Significant Infrastructure Projects and ensure that all the LPA’s responsibilities, including the preparation of Local Impact Reports (LIR’s) and other documents, are carried out to a high standard and on time
• defend planning decisions at appeal, including at hearings and public inquiries
• undertake the efficient and effective investigation of breaches of planning control and legislation within the County and utilise appropriate enforcement interventions as necessary

and;

• provide mentoring, supervision and guidance to colleagues within the Planning Service, as well as the delivery of training to said staff as and when required

We are looking to recruit an individual:

• with a degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent in Town and Country Planning or related discipline
• with chartered membership (or eligibility) of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
• with comprehensive knowledge and extensive experience of working in the Development Management sector and with a proven track record of managing and processing major planning applications
• with an ability to communicate impartially and effectively with a wide range of people at various levels
• who has an ability to produce high-quality written reports
• who has an ability to organise their own workload and work within agreed timeframes to maintain high quality decision making at speed and to achieve set deadlines and targets

and;

• who has a strong commitment to providing a high-quality service to the public

The post requires a degree of fluency in the Welsh language. Please note that the successful applicant without the required Welsh language skill will be fully supported to reach the required standard within two years of appointment.

We believe work-life balance is very important. To support you in achieving this, you will have access to the following discretionary benefits:

• Hybrid Working:Subject to certain conditions being met, you may choose to work from home or in an office location.
• Flexi-time:Hours may be worked within a defined bandwidth, Monday to Friday, subject to service needs.

You may also find further useful information on our careers website. Here you will find details in relation to what we can offer and what type of lifestyle you can expect. Indeed, Ceredigion is recognised as one of the safest places to live and work, with vibrant culture, excellent schools and beautiful coastlines and rolling countryside.

For an informal discussion, please contact Catrin Newbold (Service Manager – Development Management) on Tel: [phone].

Note: We reserve the right to extend the application closing date.

What we offer

Work-life balance

Lifestyle savings scheme

Generous employer pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Learning and development

Where you'll work

Economy and Regeneration

We play a fundamental role in the delivery of the Council’s key Corporate Strategy objective that seeks to boost the economy of the County and the Mid Wales region. We are organised into three main sections: Economy, Planning and Property Services. Our primary functions include:

• Growth and Enterprise: Supporting economic growth and regeneration locally and across the region; Growing Mid Wales; the Corporate Estate and Development Opportunities; Project Support; European and local funding; Food Centre Wales and supporting Agri-Food development; Tourism promotion and development; Tourist Information Centres; Coast and Countryside
• Planning Services: Supporting growth through Planning and Building Control Services; Strategic and Local Land Use Planning Policy; Development Management; Building Control; and Land Searches.
• Property Services: Supporting the Council’s programme through Project Management; Property and Building Maintenance; Facilities Management; Carbon Management; and the Efficient Use of Council Property.

Penmorfa Penmorfa is our most central office, it is where our Chief Executive and Councillors are based.

Read more Aberaeron is a picture perfect harbour town and is one of Ceredigion's best loved holiday destinations with fashionable places to stay and eat.

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