Description Planning Policy Officer Salary: £44,208 - £50,424 per annum Grade: F Hours: 37 Hours Per Week Contract: Permanent About the Role Thurrock Council’s Planning Service is committed to shaping the future of our borough by delivering high-quality, sustainable development outcomes that positively impact our local environment, economy, and community. As a Planning Policy Officer, you will play a pivotal role in influencing planning policy and contributing to decisions that have long-term impacts on the borough’s development. In this role, you will undertake critical research, evaluation, and project work, ensuring council priorities such as affordable housing delivery and environmental sustainability are embedded in planning decisions. You will also provide expert advice on the statutory planning process and help monitor and report on the effectiveness of planning policies and decisions in achieving the council’s aims. Key Responsibilities: Research and Casework: Conduct research and evaluate planning projects, ensuring recommendations align with the council’s priorities and have positive impacts on the borough's development and environmental sustainability. Advice and Guidance: Provide expert advice on the statutory planning process, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and awareness of potential legal, reputational, and financial risks for the council. Monitoring and Reporting: Ensure that the impacts of planning policies and decisions are monitored, reported, and effectively communicated to demonstrate their contribution to the council's objectives. Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues, other professional staff, and partner organizations to deliver planning projects, policies, and decisions in line with project management principles and procedures. Service Excellence: Contribute to service innovation and promote excellence, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of all aspects of the planning service. Political Awareness: Demonstrate political awareness when providing advice to the public, council officers, and stakeholders on planning decisions, policies, and projects. Skills and Experience Required: Strong understanding of planning policy and development management, including its environmental, social, and economic impacts. Experience in conducting research and evaluating planning projects or casework. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and accurately. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work on high-impact projects. Experience in collaborative working with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders. Political awareness and sensitivity in handling planning-related advice and issues. A commitment to delivering high-quality and innovative planning services. Why Join Us? As a Planning Policy Officer, you will be at the heart of shaping the borough’s future development while addressing critical issues such as environmental sustainability and housing delivery. This is an exciting opportunity to work on impactful projects, influence planning decisions, and contribute to the council’s long-term goals in a dynamic and supportive environment. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this post. Advert Closing Date: Redeployment Only: 23rd February 2025 Internal & External Applications: 9th March 2025 Interview Date: TBC For further information, please contact Ashley Baldwin at ashley.baldwinthurrock.gov.uk To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document) “If you encounter an error message when opening the Job Profile link, please refresh the error page.”