Job Description Management Group: Place Department/Section: Development Management Job Title: Enforceme nt Officer (Career Grade Level 2) Reports to: Team Leader (Enforcement) Purpose of the job Through the application of competent Development Management skills, make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the borough through the innovative and practical use of planning enforcement powers to ensure that growth and regeneration in the borough is delivered in line with the Bexley Local Plan. Principal accountabilities Implementation Responsibility for a caseload of planning enforcement cases and to meet your own performance management and quality targets. Responsibility for ensuring planning fees and other sources of income are correctly calculated and processed for your caseload. Promote customer satisfaction when delivering Planning Enforcement services. Personal Effectiveness To develop the full range of professional skills and knowledge to satisfy the requirements of the post. Evaluate and make sound recommendations on planning enforcement cases, the complexity of which will rise with progression through the career grade from simple to more complex proposals and projects including the drafting of enforcement and other notices, writing witness statements and appearing in court as a planning witness, preparing papers for prosecution and dealing with planning applications as directed and dealing with all matters at appeal. Carry out site visits in an effective and tactful manner, gathering the necessary evidence to enable cases to be resolved, the complexity of which will rise with progression through the career grade from simple to more complex cases. Defend the Council’s decisions at appeals to the Planning Inspectorate, the complexity of which will rise with progression through the career grade from si mple to more complex proposals and projects. Be aware of the relevant statutory provisions and the Council’s constitution, processes and procedures. As a member of a planning area team, take individual and collective professional responsibility for championing the council's diversity agenda and proactively implementing initiatives which secure equality of access and outcomes and commit to continually developing personal understanding of diversity. Additional Information To be prepared to attend evening and weekend meetings (eg committees & events within the borough) and from time to time and to work hours required to meet pressing deadlines that may exceed contracted hours and carry out enforcement investigations late at night as required. Ability to drive. Ability to carry out required site visits. The Council is embarking upon an ambitious Growth Strategy which will see Bexley promoting one of the largest regeneration projects in London. The post holder will contribute to the implementation of this initiative and the ability to work effectively in this arena will be welcomed. Person Specification Management Group: Place Department/Section: Development Management Job Title: Senior Enforceme nt Officer (Career Grade Level 2) SELECTION CRITERIA ESSENTIAL/ DESIRABLE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT (E/D) (see key ) (a) Education & Formal Training First degree or equivalent that would allow entry onto D A RTPI accredited postgraduate degree. (b) Relevant Technical Experience & Knowledge A/I From a planning enforcement perspective, a good understanding of current issues & developments affecting planning, regeneration & local government in London. From a planning enforcement perspective, an understanding of main central government & development plan policy issues. From a planning enforcement perspective, an understanding of development management legislation. From a planning enforcement perspective, a good understanding of the operation of local government. Experience of providing a support function to a Planning Service. Planning Enforcement: provide effective and responsive planning enforcement services on a mixed caseload of breaches, including large, complex and specialised types and issues and drafting serving enforcement notices and giving evidence in court. Appeal experience: written representations & informal hearings. (c) Relevant Skills & Abilities Planning enforcement skills: general level of proficiency. Customer care competence. Proficient at working in teams. Proficient level of general and effective level of specialist IT skills including database and EDM systems. Time/priority management: good level of proficiency. Ability to work effectively under pressure & handle stress. Logical thinker with attention to detail & ability to analyse & weigh complex issues and achieve a quality/quantity balance. Writing: display good level of ability in letter writing; clear reports on a wide range of planning issues; exhibit a clear & comprehensible writing style in line with Plain English principles. Verbal communication: effective in difficult situations. Presentation skills: effective ability. Negotiation: good level of proficiency; clear listeni ng, questioning and reasoning ability. Assertiveness: developing effective ability. English Language Requirements for Public Sector E A/I I Workers: • Ability to speak with confidence and accuracy, using accurate sentence structures and vocabulary. • Ability to choose the right kind of vocabulary for the situation in hand without a great deal of hesitation. • Ability to listen to customers and understand their needs. • Ability to tailor your approach to each conversation appropriate to the customer, responding clearly even in complex situations. (d) Other Additional Requirements To be prepared to attend evening and weekend meetings (eg committees & events within the borough) and from I time to time and to work hours required to meet pressing deadlines that may exceed contracted hours and carry out enforcement investigations late at night as required. Ability to travel around the Borough A/I Ability to carry out required site visits. I KEY: I Interview A Application Form AT Ability Test Applicants will be assessed against these criteria and the following high performance indicators throughout the recruitment process. High Performance Indicators Values Behaviours for staff Behaviours for managers Innovation I respond flexibly and adapt to changing demands I am prepared to take managed risks to achieve better outcomes I ask ‘What if…? to develop fresh thinking and innovative approaches to generate and implement solutions to improve performance and challenge the status quo I routinely look for innovative and cost - effective ways to improve performance and customer service I champion change and deal successfully with ambiguity, enabling people to see positive and exciting possibilities for the future I take calculated risks based on available evidence and my professional judgement to learn and try new things Leadership I demonstrate a clear sense of purpose and direction, in line with organisational objectives I am willing to take difficult decisions My personal actions promote a positive image of Bexley I take responsibility for my service and for making things happen to make a difference to my service users I create an environment where staff can thrive and show I value and trust staff, give praise and recognise good work I inspire, lead and encourage staff to move forward Partnership I show respect for others and value contributions from internal and external partners and customers I recognise the right solution, regardless of who initiated it I seek out and work with partners who can help me achieve the outcomes and objectives I need to deliver I encourage the feeling that the team is a collective unit with shared goals I engage with service partners and other areas of the Bexley organisation to understand the demands on others and seek solutions as One Council I network internally and externally Listening and Responding I acknowledge other people’s viewpoints and work with them to find a win-win solution I prepare and present information anticipating questions and problems I adapt my style to the audience and their needs, using the most appropriate communication channels I seek regular service user feedback and review customer data to shape service improvements I ask staff for ideas on how to improve our service and how I can improve as a manager, listen to them and act on them I empower staff to make decisions and changes to improve value for money, customer service and productivity Open and Accessible I see issues from the customer / user perspective I monitor customer feedback and level of satisfaction with the service they receive, and use this to improve and pre-empt customer needs I seek to build and maintain positive relationships with customers and partners I am accessible to my service users, customers, staff and Members I communicate and share a clear vision for the bigger picture as well as specific service areas I outline what is expected of individuals and their contribution to the whole, and am consistent in my expectations Impact I prioritise my activities and resources to focus on those which have the most impact for residents I take responsibility for making things happen and achieving my objectives I make decisions and clear recommendations based on my professional opinion and experience, informed by a range of information and evidence I design services that provide value for money and deliver our outcomes, informed by evidence I produce, prioritise and adapt plans to meet changing requirements I set interim goals to achieve notable wins on the way to larger objectives I deal with poor performance Vehicle required for site visits. Role can not be performed remotely.