Are you a qualified and experienced Planner who can contribute positively to the work and culture of a growing, dynamic and ambitious service?

Leicester is an exciting and enjoyable place to live and work. It has a rich history and a wonderful built and natural environment. It is a rapidly growing economy in a strategic position in the country. As a result, it has a growing national and international profile.

Leicester City holds significant potential for managed growth and has an ambitious Council focussed on delivery. As a Planning Service we aim to proactively plan to help shape the City over the next 17 years and beyond, balancing the need for new homes and jobs against the need to protect the heritage and green environment We are now embarking on a new phase of regeneration and placemaking as we progress with our new Local Plan.

Join us as a Planning Officer and you’ll make a valuable contribution to our Planning Service; a service that brings together Development Management, Strategic Planning, Urban Design and other specialists.

This is a full-time permanent role, working 37 hours per week from Monday to Friday. You’ll have the flexibility to work from our main base at City Hall or from home.

This is a career graded post (LG Band 05 – LG Band 08). Appointment to a level will depend on the outcome of the selection process and experience of the successful candidate. Dependent on availability of work/vacancy at a higher level, progress will be by satisfactory performance, agreed at annual Appraisals and through on-going supervision. 

What you'll be doing

As a confident Planner, you’ll lead on specific allocated projects, process, and assess planning applications, as well as report on planning applications and other planning matters. You’ll deal with Minor and Householder applications guiding these through the development management. Liaising with the public, members, other officers, businesses, other professional groups, and local authorities, you will give information and advice on procedures and respond to queries. You’ll undertake site visits and assess proposals, do research and gather information.

What you'll need

You’ll have good fundamental and technical knowledge as well as an understanding of all relevant planning legislation and policies.  With experience in town planning you’ll be able to lead on various projects and\or areas of development\change as well as have an awareness of current issues affecting planning national policy and local developments. Using excellent communication and negotiation skills you’ll deal effectively with other professionals and succeed in a team environment. As a highly organised individual, you’ll be able to work to tight deadlines and keep planning records up to date. You’ll show the ability to write comprehensive and accurate planning reports and have experience of communicating management, technical and progress information in presentations, proposals, reports and emails.

What we can offer you

As well as the satisfaction of helping to improve thousands of lives across Leicester, you can look forward to a work environment that encourages a healthy work/life balance. You’ll enjoy generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the option of flexible working. We’ll also give you the chance to develop your skills and expertise with a variety of training and development opportunities. In addition, you can choose from a number of flexible benefits, including childcare vouchers, discounts on city buses and trains and help with relocation to Leicester, where appropriate. For an illustrative value of your benefits package, take a look at our benefits calculator.

Join us

We’re committed to recruiting a diverse and highly-talented workforce as we continue to build a council that is fitting and representative of our great city. That’s why we’ve designed our recruitment process to put you at your ease, make you feel welcome and bring the best out of you. We’ll do all we can to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To help you with your application, take a look at the ‘our approach to recruitment’ page.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact:  Katy Redford on 01164543021 or email katy.redford@leicester.gov.uk

Assessment/Interviews will take place on Monday 23rd May 2022