Senior Planning Policy Officer (Neighbourhood)

South Oxfordshire & Vale of White Horse Councils have ‘exclusively’ partnered up with Carrington West  to find a dynamic and enthusiastic town planner with experience in local and neighbourhood plan-making. You will be involved with the Local Plans and Supplementary Planning Documents and wok with neighbouring authorities on cross-boundary issues.

Main duties and responsibilities

·         develop the council’s advice and support service to parish councils on neighbourhood planning options covering the designation, preparation, evidence base development, content, examination and project management of neighbourhood development plans

·         deliver a proactive, customer focussed advice and support service to parish councils, and oversee the work of and provide advice to others who are also delivering advice and support to parish councils on neighbourhood planning

·         Oversee, project manage and assist in the production of documents making up the local plan

·         Carry out research into a variety of topics as part of the work on the preparation of the local plan and other policy documents

·         Write briefs, employ consultants and manage contracts for specialist work and projects

·       Attend project meetings with internal and external stakeholders (including evening meetings when requested)  

·         Prepare draft sections of the local plan and supplementary planning documents and papers and reports on them and other planning policy issues, including consultation documents for officers and Members

·         Carry out consultations on the local plan and other planning policy documents including attendance at exhibitions and meetings

·         Prepare and present evidence supporting the Council’s case at the Examination

·         Provide advice on and assistance to town and parish councils preparing or wishing to prepare Neighbourhood Development Plans

·         Provide professional advice and training on planning policy and development matters to the public, Members and other professionals

·         Assist in the supervision of the work of junior planning or technical officers

·         Support development management colleagues in interpreting policy for planning applications

Your essential skills, knowledge and experience

·           minimum of 5 years experience of working in a planning office including experience of planning policy work

·           good IT experience in Windows environment and good keyboard skills

·           experience of working within a customer focused environment dealing with the public

·           good, accurate written communication skills

·           good oral skills and experience in giving clear, succinct and well argued presentations - formally and informally

·           confident working with maps and plans

·           ability to interpret policies and law

·           an excellent knowledge of Planning Legislation

·           an excellent knowledge of Planning Policy

·           ability and willingness to take individual responsibility for work and set priorities to meet agreed standards

·           ability to work as a team member and contribute to the team

·           ability to work corporately

·           diplomatic, tactful and able to maintain discretion in difficult circumstances

·           able to project manage work and other team members input into it

Your essential qualifications

·         a Degree or Diploma in Town Planning, or a related discipline, or equivalent level of experience

·         Full/licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute, must be eligible to submit application for membership.

Benefits of working for the council

·         24 days annual leave per anum, rising to 29 after five years. Plus all the bank holidays and time off between Christmas and New Year.

·         Flexible working and annualised hours - plus home working available

·         Salary pay awards

·         Generous pension, including life insurance

·         Free parking onsite

·         Cycle scheme

·         Salary sacrifice car lease scheme

·         Reduced gym membership, free swims, workplace exercise classes, medical schemes, well being appointments, free eye test

·         2 days per year volunteer within the local community

 With a great salary on offer between £39,983 - £44,543 (Grade 7)

If you would like further information on this great opportunity please contact Kevin O'Shea at Carrington West on 02393876034 or kevin.oshea@carringtonwest.com

Closing dates for applications Friday 20th September. Apply now not to miss out