Planning Technician

Somerset Council; United States; Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Generous annual leave and holidays

LGPS pension

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Planning Technician to validate, process and assess planning applications, while delivering expert advice to customers and colleagues. You will support the service through system administration, data management and reporting, ensuring compliance with legislation and targets.

A strong focus on customer service and collaboration will help drive high-quality outcomes for communities in Somerset.

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Mathematics or equivalent.
• Educated to A-level standard or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of planning legislation and good understanding of statutory processes.
• Strong customer service and organisational skills.
• Experience dealing with the public and case management of planning applications.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate planning applications and act as main point of contact for customers.
• Support service through system administration, validation and consultations; data management and reporting.
• Stay up to date with legislation and provide clear, practical advice to customers and colleagues.
• Manage a varied caseload of validation, appeals, enforcement and technical queries.
• Apply technical expertise to manage service requests and maintain key systems like Uniform and Acolaid.

Skills

Customer service

IT literacy

Communication skills

Teamwork

Prioritisation

Problem solving

Education

GCSE English & Maths

A-level or equivalent

Tools

Uniform

Acolaid

Job description

The Planning Technician is a multi-skilled case officer responsible for validating, processing and assessing a wide range of planning applications and service requests. You will provide technical and administrative support across the planning service, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures. As a key point of contact, you will deliver clear and accurate advice to customers, businesses and colleagues, managing enquiries and cases efficiently within statutory requirements and service standards. You will also support service delivery through system administration, data management, consultation processes and report production, applying sound judgement to resolve technical queries and maintain high-quality systems in relation to Planning, Enforcement & Appeals. With a strong focus on customer service, you will contribute to continuous improvement and the effective delivery of a high-quality, collaborative planning service.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Evaluation of planning applications, plans and reports, ensuring compliance with legislation; act as the main point of contact for customers, managing enquiries, investigations and case resolutions with a strong focus on service excellence.
• Support the smooth running of the service through a broad range of activities including system administration, validation and consultations; procurement, invoicing and debt management; data management, reporting, FOI responses and meeting support.
• Stay up to date with legislation, policy and procedures to provide clear, practical advice to customers and colleagues; contribute to legal processes where required, including preparing statements and attending court.
• Manage a varied caseload of application validation, appeals, enforcement cases and technical queries; work collaboratively with customers, businesses and partners to find solutions; prioritise competing demands and resolve complaints effectively.
• Apply technical expertise to manage and resolve service requests in line with policy; maintain and improve key systems (including Uniform and Acolaid), ensuring compliance with evolving legislation.
• Support and coordinate projects such as system and legislative changes; maintain accurate records and ensure data quality across systems, providing guidance and training to colleagues where needed.
  Knowledge of planning legislation, previous work experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and skills
• Experience of dealing with members of the public and of case managing planning applications
• Experience of working with a variety of databases and generating reports for performance management and audit purposes
• GCSE in English and Mathematics or equivalent experience and Educated to A-level standard or equivalent experience
• Excellent customer service and organisational skills
• Works well within a team and has good communication skills
• Excellent IT user familiar with database, financial and stock ordering systems and able to work at speed accurately
• Ability to follow operating procedures accurately and contribute to their development
• Ability to manage difficult situations and deal sympathetically and empathetically with members of the public as well as building and maintaining good working relationships with colleagues, partners and business representatives
• Flexible, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage a varied workload whilst contributing positively and innovatively to service review and development
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to problem solving and recognise when issues need to be referred to more experienced officers
  At Somerset Council, we’re a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England’s most beautiful counties, it’s a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK’s most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.