Planner / Senior Planner

Capita's Property and infrastructures venture partnership with the London Borough of Barnet to deliver the council's Development and Regulatory Services (DRS) has begun. The joint venture will provide building control, land charges, planning (development management), strategic planning and regeneration, highways services, environmental health, trading standards and licensing and cemetery and crematorium services to the borough.
We now have an excellent opportunity for a Planner / Senior Planner to join regional Enterprise (Re), to support the Managers with Development Management.

The successful candidate will be required to positively contribute to planning services in accordance with the aims, objectives and priorities of the Council to an agreed quality, performance standards and in a cost effective manner

This is a 6 months fixed term contract with the possibility of extending the contract or making it permanent

Your Principal duties
These posts are generic within the Planning Service. Senior Planners will lead on more complex areas of work requiring particular professional experience and skills; Planners will be expected to assist in the more general areas of work. The responsibilities of each post will be those listed below which are relevant to the particular unit in which the post holder is working.

Enforcement
Investigate complaints regarding alleged breaches of planning control.
Consider the planning merits of complaints and take appropriate action.
Prepare and give evidence on enforcement appeals and prosecutions.
Undertake related planning/enforcement matters within agreed targets.
Development Management
Determine planning applications within specified targets#
Provide advice on planning applications
Negotiate improvements to development proposals, added value and Section 106 planning obligations
Undertake related planning matters
Present development proposals to members, committees or external stakeholders as appropriate.
Process mapping of planning application processes and decisions within a best value framework.
Common to all Posts
Prepare letters, committee and other reports to a high corporate standard.
Negotiate with applicants/agents and other stakeholders.
Prepare and give evidence on appeals.
Perform work within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade, not specifically referred to above, in order to provide efficiency in delivering an effective planning service.
Operate and accord with legislative, corporate procedures and Re's standing orders at all times.
Contribute to service development and performance improvements within a best value framework.

Financial and Asset Responsibilities
Manage budgets as appropriate to the level of the post.

Staff Responsibilities
Senior planners will have some supervisory responsibility for planning technicians and planners within their teams.
Promotion of Corporate Values
To ensure that customer care is maintained to the agreed standards according to Re's values
To ensure that a high level of confidentiality is maintained in all aspects of work.
To encourage and develop optimum performance from staff and underline the corporate approach to customer needs as reflected in Re's structure and style.
Flexibility
In order to deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post, at the appropriate grade.
The Re's Commitment to Equality
To deliver Re's commitment to equality of opportunity both in the provision of services and as an employer. All staff are expected to promote equality in the work place and in the services the council delivers
Requirements
Recent Development Management experience
Proven ability to read plans and maps to a good standard and interpret information spatially
Ability to successfully work under pressure and meet deadlines, performance targets and produce regular consistent output of work
Good IT skills including successful experience in the application of planning related and geographical information systems (GIS), Microsoft Windows, Word, spreadsheets and databases.
Ability to make quality planning decisions
Successful experience and demonstrating of investigating, analysing, recommending and presenting solutions planning problems
Proven ability to successfully manage own caseload and planning related projects
Good knowledge of planning legislation, procedures an issues relevant to the post
Degree in planning of discipline related to post and / or experience in related field
Personal transport and access to car
Full UK driving licence
Understanding and commitment to Re's equal opportunity.
Previous experience in a Planning or related technical department
Experience of successfully preparing and giving evidence at appeals
Broad knowledge and understanding of London or metropolitan/regional and local government planning issues, policy trends and development/legal processes
Eligibility for Member of relevant professional body

You will be able to / have;
work on own initiative and prioritising between conflicting demands
Good verbal, written communication and presenting skills and the ability to prepare clear and concise reports, briefings and correspondence
Good numerical skills
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Capita Resourcing welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of gender, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Capita Resourcing is a trading name of Capita Resourcing Ltd. Services offered are those of an Employment Agency and Employment Business. Applicants will be required to register with us.