Pride in our Borough: A Borough that works for everyone

At Maidstone Borough Council, we have great ambitions for our County Town. The economic development and regeneration of the borough is a high priority and the adoption and current review of the Local Plan focusing on these objectives.  With an investment budget of £6 million and provision for regeneration projects of £1.8 million this year, we’ve not only the resources and infrastructure, but also the passion and determination to ensure our services are future-proofed through commercialisation.

Working in a Borough that faces a diverse and unique range of Planning challenges and opportunities, we are looking for a talented, self-motivated and enthusiastic Planner who can really make an impact. You will join a progressive and inclusive planning department which believes in enabling its staff to successfully navigate their planning ambitions.

Working in the Council’s busy Development Management Minors team, we are looking for a strong team player, with enthusiasm and a real desire to make further improvement happen and take initiative.  You will also have self-organisation and strong IT skills and be able to meet deadlines. For this post you will need to have a keen customer focus and have experience working with members of the public as well as excellent written and verbal communication.  Your track record and approach in these areas are as important as your experience or qualifications

As a Planning Officer you will be determining a wide range of applications, including householder, adverts, change of use, breaches, telecommunications and Certificates of Lawfulness in an area experiencing one of the highest number of applications in Kent.  The successful candidate will preferably have a degree or equivalent in Town and Country Planning with eligibility for membership of the RTPI, alongside experience of dealing with planning applications and appeals. This is a career graded post and so we welcome applications from graduates who are just starting out in their Planning career, as well as from more experienced Planning officers who can hit the ground running. A driving licence with use of your own car is essential in order to undertake site visits.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills with professional and experienced peers and within an organisation that prides itself on supporting its staff. We encourage all types of vocational and technical training & qualifications, including management and leadership programmes.  In addition to learning & development and CPD, we also offer many flexible working opportunities, including job share, flexi time, nine-day fortnight, compressed hours and extensive home working. Plus working in Maidstone you’ll also be less than an hour from London by train and have all that Kent can offer at your fingertips.

This role is customer-facing, the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is an essential element of the role.

Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all employee to share this commitment.

This is a full-time position offered on a permanent contract.

For further information or to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Tony Ryan, Team Leader (Development Management) on 01622 602358 or email tonyryan@maidstone.gov.uk

Interview Date: 

Council Benefits:  career average pension scheme, professional fee payment, flexible working (including opportunities for home working and job share), employee benefits package and generous leave entitlement.