Specialist Planning Enforcement Officer (Built Heritage)

Ceredigion County Council; Porthmadog; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governing council in Wales seeks a qualified professional for the Planning Enforcement Team focusing on historic building conservation. The role demands expertise in the relevant legislation and the ability to communicate effectively. The successful candidate will provide enforcement services and support the Development Management Service. Candidates should hold a suitable degree and have a commitment to customer satisfaction. The position offers hybrid working and flexible hours.

Benefits

Hybrid Working

Flexi-time

Qualifications

• Degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of heritage legislation and conservation practices.
• Fluency in Welsh language is required for the role.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality enforcement and conservation services.
• Investigate breaches of planning control focusing on built heritage.
• Support Development Management Service and handle planning inquiries.

Skills

Expertise in historic building conservation

Effective communication

Ability to work independently

Customer satisfaction commitment

Education

Degree in Town and Country Planning or related discipline

Working towards IHBC/RTPI membership

Job description

We are therefore 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, who will possess expertise in the historic building conservation field and will act as a custodian of our built heritage and ensure the best outcomes for the preservation and enhancement of those assets. More specifically, we are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Council's new Planning Enforcement Team on a permanent, full‑time basis, who would focus on enforcement matters in relation to the built heritage, focusing in particular on conservation areas and listed buildings.

Responsibilities

• Help provide an effective, efficient, responsive and high quality enforcement and conservation service.
• Undertake the efficient and effective investigation of breaches of planning control within the County (specialising in built heritage cases) and utilise appropriate enforcement interventions as necessary.
• Provide support to the wider Development Management Service.
• There may also be an opportunity for the postholder to deal with pre‑application enquiries and planning applications arising from enforcement cases, although the bulk of the postholder's caseload would comprise of planning enforcement investigations.

Qualifications

• Hold a degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent in Town and Country Planning, Historic Building Conservation / Built Heritage, Architecture or related discipline, or possess an equivalent combination of knowledge and experience of planning, built heritage or law enforcement.
• Fully qualified or working towards membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent professional body.
• Comprehensive and specialist knowledge and understanding of all heritage matters, including planning, listed building and conservation area legislation, policy guidance and circulars, best practice and case law, as well as knowledge of historic building design and construction.
• Comprehensive and specialist knowledge of planning and built heritage enforcement legislation and procedures.
• Ability to balance the demands of the development sector and economic regeneration with the need to safeguard the County's heritage assets.
• Ability to communicate impartially, professionally and effectively with a wide range of people at various levels.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and to work to tight deadlines.
• Strong commitment to providing a high quality service to the public and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

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

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.

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.