You will be responsible for the effective processing of planning applications in accordance with best practice, local and government targets and the provision of professional advice on a wide range of planning matters ensuring a development team approach to the customer.

Planning Officer (Applications) Responsibilities:

• processing a range of planning and associated applications including, larger scale householder applications, minor applications, and more complex types of applications with the ability to work on and assess the proposals independently.
• providing professional advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing on behalf of the Council in respect of planning and related issues, including providing pre-application advice.
• presenting applications to planning committee.
• dealing with enforcement matters and carrying out associated duties as and when required.
• preparing written representation appeal cases and managing the process independently.
• undertaking specific projects within the Planning Service (such as participating in Continuous Development).
• assisting other teams within the service when required, including Enforcement and Policy.
• providing professional advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing on behalf of the Council in respect of planning and related issues, including providing pre-application advice with the ability to work on and assess the proposals independently.

Planning Officer (Applications) Requirements:

Your essential skills are:

• Excellent strong IT skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet and email.
• Good report and professional letter writing skills, demonstrating the ability to manage the majority of your case load independently.
• be able to give clear, accurate advice on procedure.
• good oral and written communication skills.
• ability to interpret scale drawings and Ordnance Survey maps.
• investigative, methodical and accurate approach to work.
• ability to organise and prioritise a high and constantly changing caseload.
• ability to make assessments and decisions independently.
• ability to take individual responsibility for caseload and meet performance targets.
• ability to work as a part of a team and support team members.
• demonstrate a commitment to diversity and equality.

Your essential qualifications are:

• Planning degree (or currently undertaking this), or equivalent level of qualification.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a related area to planning.
• Membership of the RTPI or Licentiate member or in the process of applying for this.

If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus:

• Qualification in a related discipline.
• Experience of working in a customer focussed environment and dealing with difficult customers.

About the councils:

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are forward-thinking local authorities, based in one of the most attractive areas of the country.

Salary: £37,185 - £42,386

Duration of role: Temporary maternity cover (14 months)

Hours per week: 37

Closing Date: 22 August 2021

Location: 135 Milton Park (currently based working from home) Note that many of our employees are being asked to undertake their roles from home. This will be discussed in more detail during this roles interview process where required.

The benefits we offer:

• A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love!
• Salary pay awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.
• A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary.
• No car park costs as there’s ample free parking.
• A childcare voucher scheme which parents appreciate.
• The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work!
• A salary sacrifice car lease scheme – a fully inclusive driving package for a fixed monthly cost.
• Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, workplace exercise classes, contributory medical schemes, wellbeing appointments, free eye tests for DSE users and more).
• We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.

You may have experience of the following: Town Planner, Local Authority, RTPI, Project Management, Planning Officer, Planner, Policy, Legislation, Royal Town Planning Institute etc.

Ref: 101 129