Senior Planning Officer

This role works across the functions of Planning Policy and Development Management and Enforcement. The postholder will fulfil allocated tasks and duties to meet the operational demands of the Planning Service

• Ensuring the highest levels of customer service.
• Maintain databases and monitoring systems. Analysing evidence and drawing out trends, patterns and characteristics for both the borough as a whole and specified places in need of policy development.
• Making appropriate recommendations in accordance with the policies of the Council under the direction of senior colleagues.
• Assisting in the validation of planning applications and other submissions.
• To lead or assist in the facilitation of the preparation of public participation exercises and other forms of community engagement, including representing the Council at exhibitions and meetings
• Take responsibility for personal development and continuous improvement to develop a thorough understanding of current issues, processes, legislation or systems.
• Support initiatives and all aspects of process improvement and systems review where needed.
• Dealing with a case load of some of the more significant planning applications, and/or alleged breaches of planning control, including the carrying out of site inspections, research, consultations and assessment of the case.
• Lead or assist on a number of projects, workstreams and effectively project manage key evidence documents to inform and support in developing policy, and other planning and design guidance, based upon appropriate evidence, involving stakeholders and the public in policy development and taking draft policy through formal adoption processes, including preparing for Key Decisions and Examinations in Public as necessary

• Able to travel independently to multiple sites across the frequent basis (3-5 times a week), or further away to Able to successfully negotiate planning improvements with developers
• Good communication skills
• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification to allow access to Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of current planning legislation and practice.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service under pressure
• Experience of using computerised planning systems and GIS.
• Understanding of the English Planning System.
• Conversant with policy documents, plans, maps and architectural drawings.
• Demonstration of extended experience either of being responsible for a range of non-major planning applications, or planning policy projects.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).