Senior Planner

Senior Planner (Policy), Southend-on-Sea, up to £43,553 (depending on experience and including market supplement), permanent contract

Your new organisation

Southend-on-Sea City Council is a Unitary Local Authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community.  We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the Southend 2050 ambition and make lives better for the people of Southend.  Southend itself is a vibrant place to live and work, offering coastal living alongside excellent and fast transport links into London.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment.  As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from regulatory services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, social services, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities.  The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

As the Senior Planner, you will play a key role in the preparation and delivery of our New Local Plan and a range of other related planning policy documents. You will also assist the Team Leader in matters relating to a range of sub-regional and regional planning work the city is collaborating on.

Key responsibilities include:

• Playing an important role in shaping the future of Southend as we continue to prepare our New Local Plan
• Working with neighbouring authorities on a number of exciting projects in the wider area
• Contributing to evidence based documents and working with consultants to deliver projects
• Assisting with planning policy formulation and responding to representations
• Conducting site visits
• Preparing responses to a wide range of consultations

Flexible working is available for this role. You may be expected to visit the office or sites within the borough once a fortnight.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful for this role you will need to have a degree in town or urban planning, geography or similar and have detailed knowledge and experience of the Planning System and local plan process. Eligibility for membership of the RTPI is desirable. Access to transport for work purposes is essential.

What you'll get in return

This is a permanent position, paying up to £43,553 (depending on experience). You can enjoy a range of benefits including: flexible working (with a blended approach to office and home working), salary sacrifice schemes, 24 days holiday (excluding bank holidays) and excellent training and development opportunities. A full list of benefits provided by Southend-On-Sea City Council can be found on the “Why Work for us” webpage.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call Laura Kittle at Hays on 01245 782130. If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. They welcome applications, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief. All applications will be considered solely on merit.