Job summary Salary:£32,076 - £33,945 pro rata Hours per week:21.5 hours Interview date:Week commencing 18 November 2024 Education and Skills - Building Bright Futures Are you ready to make a meaningful impact as a School Development Officer? Then join our dedicated Schools Capital and Place Planning Team Our Schools Capital and Place Planning team are responsible for ensuring our Local Authority meets its statutory duty to provide sufficient and suitable school places for the children and young people of Wiltshire. Main duties of the job As a School Development Officer, you will be responsible for reviewing and assessing the impact of individual housing planning applications on local school provision and places, ensuring alignment with the Councils policies and methodologies. You will evaluate the need for additional school sites arising from major housing developments and determine the required land size. As part of this role, you will also be required to provide detailed, comprehensive assessments of the educational needs resulting from each development in order to respond to planning applications and to facilitate negotiations with developers. We are seeking a passionate and dedicated individual with an HNC or NVQ Level 4 in a related field and at least three years experience in a similar role. The ability to interpret and analyse complex statistical and numerical data, draw conclusions, and make informed recommendations to Senior Officers will be essential. A strong understanding of school place planning, as well as relevant experience in how it contributes to the council's strategic responsibilities, will be crucial in this role. WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS VIA NHS JOBS. TO CONTINUE WITH YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO OUR CAREERS SITE https://fa-euxi-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/2984/?utm_mediumjobshare/details?sTypeFindaJob/reference/2984 About us Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. That's why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right. We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services. The council is committed to creating an environment of positive working relationships where everyone feels engaged, supported and able to thrive. Our Identity is a framework which sets out how we are all expected to lead, work and act to deliver our services. We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment of any kind. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect which is underpinned by our vision and Our Identity framework. Date posted 18 October 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary £32,076 to £33,945 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number F0041-2984 Job locations County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Job description Job responsibilities Specific duties and responsibilities include: To ensure that all education and early years infrastructure requirements arising from housing development planning applications and new development proposals are assessed in order to determine their impact on the need for school places and then to provide a detailed and comprehensive assessment of education need arising from individual developments in order to respond to planning applications and to inform negotiations with developers. To provide robust evidence and support senior officers in order to secure the land and financial contributions necessary to deliver sufficient school places in an area arising from new housing development. To review and assess the impact of individual housing planning applications on school provision and places in its locality in line with the councils policy and methodology. This will require a detailed understanding of the way in which analysis of demographics and school pupil population data is undertaken in order to be able to respond in a timely way to the many, varied and often complex questions that developers and their agents can ask. To carry out detailed review and analysis of school provision and future pupil number projections in areas where major and minor housing development proposals come forward. This requires regular monitoring and understanding of housing planning applications and whether they are Pre-App, Reserved Matters, Outline or Full Planning applications in order to provide the appropriate level of response. To assess the need for additional school sites (land) arising from major housing developments and determine the size (hectares) of land required. This requires a detailed understanding and analysis of the Department for Education (DfE) Schools Area Guidelines. In making an assessment of often complex data and information, with different scenarios for consideration, to make recommendations as to the level of financial contributions (either through a Planning S106 financial contribution agreement or to be met from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), required to deliver new school infrastructure in an area. To respond to all consultations on Pre-App, Outline and Full Planning applications as they impact on school places in an area. To liaise with developers and their agents in relation to planning applications and to provide written and verbal responses to concerns raised. This can involve difficult conversations when developers are challenging the information presented by the council. To support the negotiation with developers on land and financial contributions towards educational infrastructure. This can involve attendance at meetings with developers or the provision of support and information at public inquiry. To prepare and write detailed planning appeal cases in accordance with legislative requirements, as they relate to education infrastructure need, in order to make the case for land and/or funding on behalf of the council. To liaise closely with colleagues involved in school place planning and the commissioning of the schools capital programme of work. To liaise closely with colleagues in Planning and Legal in relation to the drawing up of S106 agreements and legislation relating to CIL. To maintain and monitor a database of S106/CIL information and S106 financial contributions as it relates to educational infrastructure need in Wiltshire. This information is used on a daily basis in order to inform planning application assessments. To monitor the progress of planning applications and house building to ensure that developer financial contributions are pursued and paid as housing triggers are met. This involves regular communication with officers in different departments to ensure the council secures what it is owed through agreement, in a timely way. To alert senior officers regarding timescales for spending S106 financial contributions to ensure secured contributions are used effectively to deliver school places. It is important to provide information on deadlines and to understand the implications of not spending contributions in a timely way to ensure that the council is able to make efficient and effective use of its resources. To provide up to date advice and support to senior officers and members on strategic education infrastructure requirements arising from development. Job description Job responsibilities Specific duties and responsibilities include: To ensure that all education and early years infrastructure requirements arising from housing development planning applications and new development proposals are assessed in order to determine their impact on the need for school places and then to provide a detailed and comprehensive assessment of education need arising from individual developments in order to respond to planning applications and to inform negotiations with developers. To provide robust evidence and support senior officers in order to secure the land and financial contributions necessary to deliver sufficient school places in an area arising from new housing development. To review and assess the impact of individual housing planning applications on school provision and places in its locality in line with the councils policy and methodology. This will require a detailed understanding of the way in which analysis of demographics and school pupil population data is undertaken in order to be able to respond in a timely way to the many, varied and often complex questions that developers and their agents can ask. To carry out detailed review and analysis of school provision and future pupil number projections in areas where major and minor housing development proposals come forward. This requires regular monitoring and understanding of housing planning applications and whether they are Pre-App, Reserved Matters, Outline or Full Planning applications in order to provide the appropriate level of response. To assess the need for additional school sites (land) arising from major housing developments and determine the size (hectares) of land required. This requires a detailed understanding and analysis of the Department for Education (DfE) Schools Area Guidelines. In making an assessment of often complex data and information, with different scenarios for consideration, to make recommendations as to the level of financial contributions (either through a Planning S106 financial contribution agreement or to be met from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), required to deliver new school infrastructure in an area. To respond to all consultations on Pre-App, Outline and Full Planning applications as they impact on school places in an area. To liaise with developers and their agents in relation to planning applications and to provide written and verbal responses to concerns raised. This can involve difficult conversations when developers are challenging the information presented by the council. To support the negotiation with developers on land and financial contributions towards educational infrastructure. This can involve attendance at meetings with developers or the provision of support and information at public inquiry. To prepare and write detailed planning appeal cases in accordance with legislative requirements, as they relate to education infrastructure need, in order to make the case for land and/or funding on behalf of the council. To liaise closely with colleagues involved in school place planning and the commissioning of the schools capital programme of work. To liaise closely with colleagues in Planning and Legal in relation to the drawing up of S106 agreements and legislation relating to CIL. To maintain and monitor a database of S106/CIL information and S106 financial contributions as it relates to educational infrastructure need in Wiltshire. This information is used on a daily basis in order to inform planning application assessments. To monitor the progress of planning applications and house building to ensure that developer financial contributions are pursued and paid as housing triggers are met. This involves regular communication with officers in different departments to ensure the council secures what it is owed through agreement, in a timely way. To alert senior officers regarding timescales for spending S106 financial contributions to ensure secured contributions are used effectively to deliver school places. It is important to provide information on deadlines and to understand the implications of not spending contributions in a timely way to ensure that the council is able to make efficient and effective use of its resources. To provide up to date advice and support to senior officers and members on strategic education infrastructure requirements arising from development. Person Specification Qualifications Essential HNC / NVQ level 4 in an appropriate subject, e.g. Business Studies, Public Administration, Finance, Legal etc or ability to demonstrate equivalent experience and skills. To have a minimum of 3 years practical experience in a similar area of work. To be able to interpret and analyse complex statistical and numerical data to draw conclusions and make recommendations to senior officers. Additionally, to provide specialist advice and guidance to senior officers when data is of a more complex nature. To have a detailed understanding and ability to apply the councils policy and methodology for School Places and Capital Infrastructure requirements arising from Housing Development (S106/CIL). To be able to accurately assess and analyse complex sets of data and information to determine the impact on educational provision in an area. To be able to highlight and where appropriate, escalate issues relating to specific area of work and advise of potential risks where action required. To have experience, knowledge and understanding of school place planning and how it contributes towards the strategic responsibilities of the council. To have excellent organisational skills, to be able to work on own initiative, to prioritise and manage own workload, and to ensure all relevant deadlines are met. To be able to produce user-friendly reports and documentation that provide clear assessment and recommendations as required. Desirable To have an understanding of Planning Policy and dealing with the potential impact of Planning applications for large scale housing developments. To have knowledge of Wiltshire geography and demographics Educated to degree level in a related discipline or equivalent e.g. Business Studies, Public Administration, Legal, Planning etc. Project management experience. Person Specification Qualifications Essential HNC / NVQ level 4 in an appropriate subject, e.g. Business Studies, Public Administration, Finance, Legal etc or ability to demonstrate equivalent experience and skills. To have a minimum of 3 years practical experience in a similar area of work. To be able to interpret and analyse complex statistical and numerical data to draw conclusions and make recommendations to senior officers. Additionally, to provide specialist advice and guidance to senior officers when data is of a more complex nature. To have a detailed understanding and ability to apply the councils policy and methodology for School Places and Capital Infrastructure requirements arising from Housing Development (S106/CIL). To be able to accurately assess and analyse complex sets of data and information to determine the impact on educational provision in an area. To be able to highlight and where appropriate, escalate issues relating to specific area of work and advise of potential risks where action required. To have experience, knowledge and understanding of school place planning and how it contributes towards the strategic responsibilities of the council. To have excellent organisational skills, to be able to work on own initiative, to prioritise and manage own workload, and to ensure all relevant deadlines are met. To be able to produce user-friendly reports and documentation that provide clear assessment and recommendations as required. Desirable To have an understanding of Planning Policy and dealing with the potential impact of Planning applications for large scale housing developments. To have knowledge of Wiltshire geography and demographics Educated to degree level in a related discipline or equivalent e.g. Business Studies, Public Administration, Legal, Planning etc. Project management experience. Employer details Employer name Wiltshire Council Address County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Employer's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)