Planning Officer x2

Location: Abingdon/Hybrid

Contract Type: 1 Permanent and 1 x 6 month paternity leave

Salary and grade: Grade 5/6 Grade 5 £33,833 Grade 6 £39,977

About the role and what we’re looking for

For both roles the planning officer / planning and development officer will be responsible for the effective processing of planning applications in accordance with best practice and local and government targets. The role will also involve appeal and enforcement work. We are looking for people who have previous experience in these areas.

Main duties and responsibilities for Grade 5 are:

• Process a range of planning applications and associated applications.
• Providing professional advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing on behalf of the Council in respect of planning issues, including providing pre-application advice
• Presenting applications to planning committee
• Dealing with enforcement matters and carrying out associated duties as and when required.
• Prepare written representation and hearing appeal cases and manage the process independently representing the council at Hearings and provide assistance at public inquiries when required.
• Undertaking specific planning related projects
• Undertake work for planning policy as and when required.

Additional responsibilities for Grade 6 are:

• Processing a range of planning and associated applications including, enforcement work, appeals and policy work
• With the ability to work on and assess the proposals independently
• Attend site visits and relevant council committees and forums
• Preparing a range of appeal cases including written representations, hearings and Public Inquiries and managing the process independently, representing the council as a witness when required
• Undertake work for planning policy as and when required
• Undertaking specific projects within the Planning Service as and when required including supporting councillor training

The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

About you

Your essential qualifications for Grade 5 are:

• Planning degree (or currently undertaking this), or equivalent level of qualification
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a related area to planning
• Student membership of the RTPI or Licentiate member or in the process of applying for this
• Hold a full and current driving licence and have use of a vehicle insured for business use or have the means to visit sites and attend meetings across districts

Your essential skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage and prioritise your work and meet performance targets
• Ability to give clear, accurate advice on procedure
• Having an investigative, methodical and accurate approach to work
• Ability to make assessments, recommendations and where appropriate decisions independently
• A knowledge of planning legislation with the ability to interpret policies and planning law

Your essential qualifications for Grade 6 are:

• Planning degree (or currently undertaking this), or equivalent level of qualification
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a related area to planning
• Eligibility for Membership of the RTPI or Licentiate member or in the process of applying for this
• Hold a full and current driving licence and have use of a vehicle insured for business use or have the means to visit sites and attend meetings across districts

If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus

• Qualification in a related discipline
• Full membership of the RTPI

About us

Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.

Our vision

We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high quality cost effective services.

Our values

• We act with integrity and show respect
• We are all accountable
• We are passionate about our business
• We strive for simplicity
• We love success

The benefits we offer

• A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love!
• Salary pay awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.
• A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
• The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work!
• Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, free eye tests for DSE users and more)
• We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.
• A range of resources, support, and activities to help you maintain your wellbeing including a monthly wellbeing hour in addition to annualised hours (the ability to work flexibly as long as, over the course of the year, you complete your contracted hours) and annual leave.