Trainee Planning Officer/Assistant Planning Officer, Planning Enforcement

Do you think you feel passionately about the protection of our environment and communities and have an interest in helping new development come forward in a sustainable way? Then this role is for you.

 

Who?

The Planning Enforcement Team is dedicated to ensuring our communities have a good quality of life and that our built and natural environments are protected by taking robust but proportionate action in relation to breaches of planning control.

This is an opportunity for someone who has no experience in planning enforcement and willing to train or those with some experience wanting to further their planning career. In either case you will work in an authority that takes planning seriously – where we are in support of sustainable growth, but also in making sure that our towns, villages and countryside are respected.

You will help us to resolve situations where planning law or policies have been contravened and we will support you by providing a rewarding caseload with educational and personal development opportunities.

 

What will you be doing?

• Investigating breaches of planning control, learning all that needs to resolve matters in a robust and pragmatic way
• Preparing reports to make recommendations on appropriate enforcement proceedings.
• Providing advice and conducting negotiations with contraveners to achieve the best possible outcomes and deliver 5-star customer service.
• Liaising with various stakeholders, including residents, officers from other service sections, elected members, and external bodies ensuring they are appropriately updated ion the progress and outcome of investigation.
• Studying to achieve an accredited planning qualification.

 

What do you need?

This is a career graded role where based on your planning experience you will join the authority as either a trainee or as assistant planning officer. The job descriptions explain each role, but as a minimum we are looking for:

• Some knowledge about planning and a basic understanding of how applications are made and how planning enforcement works.
• Good customer service skills.
• Some basic knowledge of relevant law, policy and guidance related to planning.
• Communication and negotiation skills, being able to discuss matter in a clear, constructive, and professional manner.
• An appetite to learn and take on new challenges.

 

What do we offer?

• Working for a great, forward-thinking Local Authority.
• Excellent salary, pension, flexible working, fantastic employee benefits and comprehensive staff health & wellbeing scheme.
• A friendly, supportive team and a range of opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Hybrid working with the ability to work from home as well as from our newly refurbished offices in Hailsham.
• Free parking.

 

For more information

For more information and an informal chat about the opportunity please contact Samuel Batchelor, Development Manager, or Jon Honeysett, Planning Enforcement Team Leader.

 

Post Number: H1034

Closing Date: 12 January 2025

Interview Date: 24 January 2025

 

Wealden District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities and all applications will be treated on merit.

  

To Apply

Please visit our ‘How to Apply’ page for advice on how best to complete your application.

Click on the “Apply Online Now” link to be taken to our online recruitment portal. You will be prompted to log in to your existing account or create a new one. Remember to add a contact email address and mobile number when applying.

Please note applications could time out. So, ensure you have created an account and save your information as you go along. We would suggest you keep a copy of your personal statement on a separate document until you are ready to paste this into your application and submit.

If you are unable to apply online, have a query or require an alternative application method, please email human.resources@wealden.gov.uk or call 01892 602424. Make sure you know the post number and include it in your email or provide it when asked during your telephone call.

 

Job Description