Principal Planning Enforcement Officer

Principal Planning Enforcement Officer 

• Location: Cirencester
• Job Type: Permanent / Full Time
• Salary: £46,175 - £49,063 Per Annum
• Closing Date: Tue, Mar 5, 2024

Are you motivated by the prospect of leading on enforcement planning cases? 

An exceptional opportunity to join Cotswold District Council as a Principal Planning Enforcement Officer to spearhead a variety of complex Planning Enforcement cases, whilst delivering an outstanding service through an innovative and practical solutions-based approach. You will be pivotal in directing team members, creating sustainable enforcement outcomes, whilst being a cog in shaping our service.

This permanent role offers flexibility -  working within the offices at Cirencester alongside  agile working, allowing you that extra freedom and work life balance.

Do you have the technical ability to spearhead best placed Planning Enforcement outcomes?

Our Planning Service is fundamental to the success of the council’s ambition for a sustainable future, and we are passionate on leading on our climate and ecological emergencies in the area. From our Cotswold urban extension under development in Cirencester to the development of Cotswold Airport in Kemble, our focus is to enable our communities in the Cotswold district and beyond to thrive, creating great places for people to live, work, learn and enjoy in our ever-evolving communities.

We want our future generations to thrive too and are serious in tackling issues concerning climate and environmental emergencies. Now is a fantastic time to be joining us. We are looking to deliver upon our council priorities and shape our environment for the benefit of the local area and beyond.

As a Principal Planning Enforcement Officer, you will lead in providing technical expertise, advice, and direction to internal and external customers in relation to a variety of complex Planning Enforcement matters, including identifying and investigating breaches of planning control, and to deal with planning applications resulting from Planning Enforcement investigations in a timely manner.

You will be the focal point in leading all aspects of processing a wide variety of enforcement cases, dealing with applicants, agents, and members of the public, within a vibrant, varied and well-motivated team environment. You will be a technical expert and strong leadership qualities and the responsibilities of the role will reflect this.

You will have the ability to make robust, sound judgements in relation to Planning Enforcement matters and to lead in pursuing formal enforcement action when necessary, including appeals and prosecution proceedings.

Here is what one of the former team members who has since secured a team leader role elsewhere within Publica says: 

“The  Enforcement Officers have a fantastic work ethic with a ‘can-do’ attitude, evidenced by their recent push to significantly reduce each Enforcement Officer’s caseload despite labouring with a reduced team. My personal experience whilst at Cotswold District Council has been one of opportunity and progression.

I started with CDC in 2018 as a Planning Enforcement Officer and progressed to a senior officer role a year later and then the  Principal Planning Enforcement Officer role and I’m certain this could not have been achieved without the support and guidance of colleagues. Personally, I see CDC as a long-term career choice with the ability to progress  for years to come.”

You will need: 

• Educated to Planning degree or equivalent in a relevant profession with relevant on the job experience
• Full Membership/ qualification for the RTPI.
• Substantial experience at Senior Planner level.
• Ability to facilitate and manage ongoing change
• Ability to inspire and successfully motivate others

What can we do for you: 

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of 5% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with huge tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Access to digital financial advice (covering your pension scheme, mortgages and other finances)
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary

To apply for this position please click on "apply now" within this page to complete an application form and supporting statement together with your CV. Please tell us about your skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience and how they meet the criteria listed above and in the job description/person specification. It’s important that we’re a good fit for each other, so let us know what’s important to you and why you want to work for Publica Group Ltd.  Your CV will not be available to the hiring manager unless you are shortlisted for interview to assist with our non-biased screening process so please ensure you complete the application form in full.

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references;  proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.