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SalaryJob Introduction
Are you an experienced planner looking for a new challenge?
If so, come join us at Staffordshire. You'll be supporting the management of relatively low volume, but high profile caseload of planning applications. These could be minerals or waste developments, the Council’s own development such as schools and roads, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) development and also involvement in an increasing number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP).
We offer a flexible environment of office and/or home working, most of the team split their time approximately 50:50 to achieve the optimum work/life balance, but tends to vary from week to week in synchronisation with planning committee cycles.
Main Responsibility
You'll:
- deal with small to medium sized and routine to moderately complex but lower profile planning applications, appeals, planning policy documents
- be expected to prepare supplementary planning documents and prepare written evidence and present that evidence at subsequent informal hearings and examinations or carry out research and analysis to support the preparation of development plan documents.
- support the Principal Planning Officer in drafting development plan documents and co-ordinating expert witness public inquiries / examinations. have the opportunity to present less complex applications to Planning Committee and represent the council at any appeals related to your caseload with support from the relevant technical and legal specialists.
- have responsibilities for maintaining our GIS are spread across the team, and training for everyday type functionality will be provided if required.
There'll also be opportunities to diversify from development management into other areas of the team that:
- produce our Minerals and Waste Local Plans,
- support the production of the emerging Local Plans produced by the eight District/Borough Councils in Staffordshire, and neighbouring authorities.
- other areas of work that you will be exposed to through multi-disciplinary team working include planning regulation and economic development / physical regeneration.
The Ideal Candidate
You'll have:
- an appropriate degree / or qualification.
- experience in dealing with development management matters or planning policy documents
- experience of dealing with developers, landowners, consultants, and the public on planning matters
- experience of working in multi disciplinary teams.
- good organisational skills and personal drive which allow you to:
- progress proposals on your own initiative,
- proactively solve problems utilising your strong interpersonal skills
- make decisions to meet service delivery targets, all whilst working with tact and diplomacy in representing the council on politically sensitive issues.
You'll be supported by a range of technical specialists and experienced officers within the organisation. 'On the job' learning, training, mentoring and coaching is not unusual, given the nature of the work, particularly if your career history to date is from a planning organisation that oversees high volume casework associated with housing and employment type matters.
We'll encourage and support you to develop both your personal and professional skills to your full potential. Commitment to continued professional development and a willingness to engage with professional bodies and technical advisory groups is desirable to ensure Staffordshire's priorities are represented within local, regional and national forums.
For an informal discussion about the role contact: mark.parkinson@staffordshire.gov.uk
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
