Planning Officer

JOB TITLE: Planning Officer/Senior Planning Officer

SECTION: Environment and Planning

LOCATION: The Guildhall

RESPONSIBLE TO: Principal Development Control Manager

LIAISON WITH: Environment and Planning Department staff; other Council Staff; elected Members; outside bodies; applicants and agents; the general public

1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

1.1 To contribute to the delivery of an efficient and effective planning control service through the sensitive handling of planning applications, appeals, enquiries and other development control matters, and through involvement in Departmental projects.

2. SUPERVISION

2.1 This post does not directly embody any supervisory duties.

3. KEY TASKS AND DUTIES

PLANNING OFFICER/SENIOR PLANNING OFFICER

3.1 To assist in the registration and validation of applications for planning permission and other consents, in accordance with the Service Plan and other agreed performance standards.

3.2 To process planning applications, appeals and other development control matters in accordance with the Service Plan and other agreed performance standards.

3.3 To assess and prepare reports on Delegated and Committee applications for planning permission and other consents.

3.4 To process appeals against the refusal of planning permission and other consents, including attendance at Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries.

3.5 To deal with development control enquiries from applicants, agents, members, the general public and others in accordance with the Service Plan and other agreed performance standards.

3.6 To present reports to Planning Committees.

3.7 To contribute to Departmental project work, including the preparation of supplementary planning guidance and planning briefs.

3.8 To contribute to improvement of working practices in service provision within the section, including the Best Value Action Plan.

3.9 To assist with the induction, training and development of new and more junior staff.

3.10 With the support of the line manager, to attend and make presentations to meetings of the public and other bodies as appropriate.

3.11 With the support of the line manager, as appropriate, to attend and service other consultative forums and meetings.

3.12 To be responsible for maintaining competence in professional and personal development matters and for passing on the benefit of that knowledge to others.

3.13 To carry out any other duties as required by your line manager from time to time in accordance with the grading of the post.

3.14 To observe the Council's equal opportunities and racial equality policies in all aspects of employment and service provision.

3.15 To be aware of, and comply with, the Council's policies and procedures on health and safety at work by adopting safe working practices; reporting any accidents and/or unsafe or hazardous conditions to management; and to do everything reasonable to prevent personal injury to themselves, fellow workers and members of the public.

3.16 To be responsible for identifying your personal training and development needs in discussion with your line manager. To participate in any training and development activities identified and agreed as relevant to your personal development and/or your development in the job.

3.17 To ensure confidentiality at all times in all matters relating to any work or communication within the Department and the City Council.

SENIOR PLANNING OFFICER ONLY

3.18 To deputise for a Principal Development Control Manager as appropriate.

3.19 To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.

3.20 To fulfil a mentoring role to support planning officers in dealing with major applications and appeals.

3.21 To provide guidance on a general basis to planning officers.

3.22 To attend and make presentations to meetings of the public and other bodies as appropriate without the direct supervision by the line manager.

3.23 To attend and service other consultative forums and meetings without the direct supervision of the line manager.

3.24 To take responsibility for dealing with complex projects with minimum supervision.