Technical Support Officer (Planning)

Matchtech; Esher; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity is seeking a Planning Technical Support Officer to assist in reducing a backlog of planning applications. Key responsibilities include providing administrative and technical support across Planning Services, producing reports, and handling public inquiries. The ideal candidate should have relevant educational background and experience in frontline public service, along with strong IT and communication skills. Join us in delivering high-quality services in an evolving environment.

Qualifications

• Evidence of completed education and training relevant to administrative duties.
• Experience in working in a frontline service to the public.
• Ability to understand plans and technical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support for Planning Services.
• Produce reports, decision notices, and committee agendas.
• Process Freedom of Information requests and respond to complaints.

Skills

Administrative support

Communication skills

IT software proficiency

Customer care

Planning knowledge

Education

Education relevant to administrative duties

Job description

Job Description

Our client is seeking Planning Technical Support Officers with validation experience to specifically target and reduce a backlog of planning applications. Suitable applicants should have experience in validating and registering major applications. Planning Officers with validation experience are also considered.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

You will be part of the Business Support team, responsible for providing administrative and technical support for the entire Planning Services, including Development Management, Planning Policy, Heritage, Landscape, Tree Teams, and Compliance.

Produce officers' reports and decision notices, compile committee agendas, including PowerPoint presentations, and process public speaking requests from residents and stakeholders.

Gather information from databases and files for basic queries, including solicitor enquiries.

Ensure all general correspondence is distributed appropriately and efficiently to the correct teams.

Scan and index current and historic applications to maintain the planning website.

Process pre-application enquiries and complaints.

Provide basic administrative support, including day-to-day tasks, specific projects, record management, document preparation, and consultation tasks.

Book rooms and provide other support for organising public events and meetings.

Record and process daily payments and refunds.

Register planning compliance investigations within target times.

Place purchase orders internally and externally.

Collect information to respond to Freedom of Information requests and complaints.

Support the validation and registration of planning applications, including printing and distributing correspondence.

Participate in the ongoing change agenda of the Council and Government, adapting and updating processes accordingly.

Exhibit behaviour for delivering a high-quality, professional public service.

Carry out additional tasks as required, relevant to the role.

Team members at the higher grade will have additional responsibilities :

Provide administrative support for day-to-day tasks, specific projects, record management, document preparation, and consultation tasks.

Provide information for complex legal queries.

Log all received applications, perform comprehensive technical and financial checks for validation, produce necessary consultations, and register applications within deadlines.

Administer the appeals process.

Collect information for complex Freedom of Information requests and complaints.

Team members at the higher grade will have further additional responsibilities :

Provide technical administrative support for database management, day-to-day tasks, specific projects, record management, document preparation and consultation tasks, including the Local Plan.

Validate and register more complex applications, including those under a Planning Performance Agreement.

Handle basic registration and administration of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Supervise and mentor other Business Support Team Officers when required.

Produce weekly management reports and press notices as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Evidence of completed education and training relevant to administrative duties.

Experience

Capable of delivering administrative, clerical or technical support

Experience in working in a frontline service to the public

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to use IT software packages to record data across a range of activities in an office environment

Knowledge of the administrative, clerical, and technical support needs of a Planning Service

Broad understanding of Government guidance and procedures relevant to Planning Compliance, Trees and Heritage services

Good written and oral communication

Able to understand plans and technical drawings sufficiently to carry out the duties of the post

Evidence of delivering excellent customer care, including dealing with difficult customers in a calm, polite but assertive manner

Ability to work with minimum supervision under pressure to meet deadlines / targets in changing circumstances

Special Requirements

Energy, drive, and commitment to personal development

A flexible and adaptable person, able to meet varied workload and respond to changing work pressures

Active engagement with team members to discuss processes and procedures and improve efficiency

If you have the necessary skills and experience, apply now