Planning Officer

We are currently recruiting for a Planning Officer in Essex.

Pay rate: PAYE £28.60 per hour/UMB £37.58 per hour.

Hours: Full time (37 hours per week).

Contract duration: Temporary ongoing

Purpose:

• This Local Plan Centric Planning Officer role is required to carry out a broad range of functions under the Town and Country Planning Acts and other related legislation relating to the production of the Local Plan.
• To support the Head of Strategic Service and Local Plan Manager and the team to strengthen the client’s plan-making, place-making and infrastructure planning processes.

Duties:

• Assist in ensuring the Local Plan Team fulfils the commitments, mission and objectives of Planning Services and the Client as a whole.
• Ensuring that all procedures are followed and that all targets are met.
• Be acquainted with the various Acts relating to the Client’s statutory responsibilities regarding planning matters, including the relevant legislation, orders, circulars and policies.
• Keeping abreast with changes in such legislation and Government advice and making the necessary changes to practice and procedures arising therefrom.
• Maintaining a customer orientated approach including fostering good relations with stakeholders and local interest groups, including Forums, where required.
• Assist with the work of the Local Plan team, including the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Local Plan and other planning policy publications.
• Help in the preparation of evidence base documents, including supporting senior officers with external commissions, and assist with the drafting of planning policy and guidance.
• Assist with the organisation and delivery of consultations and presentations, including providing support at public exhibitions in respect of the Local Plan Team’s area of work.
• Assist with the monitoring of policies and indicators and maintaining key registers and databases necessary to meet Government requirements.
• Advise on the local policy implications of external planning policy consultations and prepare responses for the Development Management team on planning applications and informal enquiries.
• Dealing with planning policy enquiries from Councillors, stakeholders and the general public.
• To prepare draft reports for Cabinet, committees and working groups on planning other and associated matters and attend meetings as required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Articulate and able to communicate reasoned arguments and analyse complex issues effectively both in writing and verbally to a wide variety of people, groups and organisations.
• Time and project management skills.
• Ability to research, understand and present information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with IT programmes, including Microsoft Office.

Apply online or contact Terri O’Keefe at Peel Recruit.