Senior Planning Officer

JOB PURPOSE

To contribute to the delivery of an efficient and effective development management service through the sensitive handling of planning applications, appeals, enquiries and other development management matters.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To assist in the registration and validation of applications for planning permission and other consents, in accordance with the operational plan and other agreed performance standards.

2. To process a wide range of planning applications, appeals and other development control matters in accordance with the operational plan and other agreed performance standards. To ensure members, applicants and other interested parties are kept informed about matters of interest to them.

3. To assess and prepare reports on delegated and committee applications for planning permission and other consents.

4. To process appeals against the refusal of planning permission and other consents, including attendance at informal hearings and public inquiries.

5. To deal with development management enquiries from applicants, agents, members, the general public and others in accordance with the operational plan and other agreed performance standards.

6. To present reports to Planning Committees and Area Committees.

7. To contribute to service/departmental project work, including the preparation of supplementary planning guidance and planning briefs.

8. To contribute to continuous improvement in service provision within the City Development Management section.

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

10. With the support of the Principal Planner(s), to attend and make presentations to meetings of the public and other bodies as appropriate.

11. With the support of the Principal Planner(s), as appropriate, to attend and service other consultative forums and meetings.

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

13. To deputise for the Principal Planners as appropriate. To provide advice and guidance and assist in the training and development of more junior staff and the sharing of knowledge with others.

14. To attend and make presentations to meetings of the public and other bodies as appropriate without the direct supervision by Principal Planner(s).

15. To attend and service other consultative forums and meetings without the direct supervision of the Principal Planner(s).

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

17. To carry out from time to time any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post, as required by the Principal Planner(s).

DIMENSIONS:

Hours:

People ( reports to post ):

Finance: (enter amounts) 

Liaison:

Budget

Accounting

Monitoring

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Take due care at work and contribute to the ongoing implementation of policies and procedures to maintain the health, safety and welfare of self, colleagues, customers/clients and community. Ensure that accidents and/or unsafe or hazardous conditions are reported to management in line with policy.

EQUALITY& Code of conduct). To undertake all duties in accordance with the council's policy and practice, to maintain compliance with relevant statutory responsibilities and applicable legislation.

Team Working & Support

Act as an effective team member providing assistance to team members or other teams, as requested, to support the delivery of team and corporate objectives. Maintain links with other teams, groups and customers/clients as necessary to the role, sharing information where necessary. To take responsibility for identifying and agreeing personal learning and development needs with your manager, participating in activities relevant to the job or personal development. Work in line with the corporate policy and procedure.

CITY COUNCIL VISION & MEDIUM TERM OBJECTIVES

Undertake other duties as appropriate to the post, to support and contribute to the delivery of the organisation's medium term objectives, and vision.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN & VULNERABLE ADULTS

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We take this responsibility seriously and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute with post qualification experience

X AF/I Experience of working in a planning office (private practice or local authority)

X AF/I Experience of dealing with enquiries from members of the public and others

X AF/I Experience of dealing with a wide range of planning applications

X AF/I Experience of dealing with major applications and/or complex projects

X AF/I Experience of making presentations to committees/meetings

X AF/I Experience of dealing with planning appeals

KNOWLEDGE

X AF/I Knowledge of planning legislation and procedures

X AF/I Knowledge of the application of information technology to development management

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

X AF/I Ability to work with a minimum of supervision

X AF/I/REF Ability to provide support and guidance to other planning officers

X AF/I/REF Written and oral presentation and communication skills

X AF/I Negotiation skills

X AF/I Organisational and time management skills

X AF/I Ability to write clear and concise reports

X AF/I Ability to use computers

X AF/I Political nous

EDUCATION

X AF/I Degree level education in relevant subject eg Geography or equivalent

X AF Membership of RTPI

X AF Degree or Diploma in Town Planning

X AF Additional qualification in a related discipline eg Urban design

OTHER QUALITIES

X AF Enthusiastic, self-motivated, flexible

X AF/I Helpful, friendly and tactful with everyone

X AF/I Team worker

X AF/I Creative approach to problem solving

X AF/I Committed to delivering a high quality services to the public

X AF/I Ability to travel

ASSESSMENT KEY:

AF - Application Form

I - Interview

REF - References

WS - Work Sample

AT - Ability Test

PT - Psychometric Assessment