Salary – Grade 3 (£25,183 - £27,269)
Hours – 37 hours – office base, on-site, hybrid working
The role
We are currently looking to appoint a Trainee Planning Officer who will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of the Council’s Development Management Service. There will be the opportunity to study for a degree/Master’s degree in Town and Country Planning.
Qualifications
Educated to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent is essential
Duties and responsibilities
- Carrying out validation of planning applications, site inspections, assessing and making recommendations on minor and other planning and related applications.
- Handling planning and related appeals via the written procedure and the preparation and giving of evidence at Hearings.
- Preparing delegated and non-delegated reports for determination. Attending and presenting applications to Planning Committee when required.
- Dealing with general planning matters and enquires including advising members of the public, applicants, developers and other users of the planning service in a polite, helpful and business-like manner and carrying out negotiations with them during the application process as well as participating in a duty rota.
- Dealing in a tactful, helpful and professional manner with developers, local councillors, council officers and other individuals/agencies who may be involved in the planning process.
- Interpreting and applying the provisions of the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order and (Use Classes) Order to appropriate classes of development as required in connection with enquires and other related planning work.
- Dealing with other related systems of control including:
• Listed building and conservation area controls;
• Advertisement controls;
• Consultations from other authorities/agencies;
• Prior notification procedures;
• Certificates of lawfulness of use and development;
Person Specification
- Knowledge of the development management environment, including types of planning applications and associated appeal work.
- Experience of computer based systems including Microsoft Office as well as manual and computerised planning record systems.
- Ability to deal with customers both internal and external ‘face to face’ and via telephone or email in a professional and timely manner.
- Experience of working as part of a team to deliver corporate and service initiatives.
- Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write clear, concise and well - argued application reports and other statements.
- Ability to resolve conflict in a calm and diplomatic decisive manner and to negotiate, demonstrate and communicate ideas effectively with professionals and non-specialists both verbally and in writing. The ability to build relationships and communicate with all levels within the Council.
- Ability to use own initiative to organise and manage own workload effectively and making decisions within pre-determined guidelines.
- A commitment to developing and maintaining high levels of customer service in accordance with the Council’s Customer Service Standards
- A commitment to personal development
- Ability and willingness to demonstrate the council’s values and behaviours
- Full current driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
- The ability to occasionally work outside normal office hours
Benefits
• Flexible working
• Hybrid working
• Family friendly policies
• On-site free parking
• Up to 31 days' annual leave
• Option to purchase additional leave
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• Savings and loan scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Generous pension scheme
• Additional voluntary contribution to AVC
• Staff reward scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee forums (Your Voice, Health & Wellbeing)
General Statement
The information contained in this job description is provided to assist employees joining the council to understand and appreciate the work content of their post and the role they will play in the organisation. However, the following point should be noted:
• Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used, in which case all the usual associated routines are naturally included in the job description.
How to apply
Download and complete the application form at
Application forms should be returned to: recruitment@rossendalebc.gov.uk OR
Rossendale Borough Council, People & Policy, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 0BB
Alternatively, email your name and address, quoting reference number ED1021 to recruitment@rossendalebc.gov.uk or telephone People and Policy on 01706 252513.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you will need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
Closing Date – Monday 20th January 2025 at 10am
Interview Date – To be confirmed
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .