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Enforcement Officer

Employer
Dorset Council
Location
Dorchester, Dorset
Salary
£25,481 - £29,577
Closing date
31 Oct 2021

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Enforcement Officer – 61042745

Dorchester based, covering North Dorset

£25,481 - £29,577

Permanent, Full Time

Closing date: 31 October 2021

Apply link: https://jobs.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-dorset-council-enforcement-officer-dorchester-home-working-covering-northern-areas-of-dorchester-sherborne-shaftesbury-blandford-forum-gillingham/37080.job

You will work within a team providing the Planning Enforcement service to Dorset Council. This will primarily involve investigating all types of planning enforcement queries including unauthorised development, breaches of conditions, protected trees, listed building enquiries and complaints. You will be reporting to the Enforcement Manager and Senior Enforcement Officers within the team.

What you will be doing

You will investigate and gather evidence in relation to possible breaches of planning control and other planning related legislation, and will make recommendations in relation to the outcome of such investigations. This will involve working with external agencies such as the Police and Environment Agency and internal consultees such as Highways, Conservation and Environmental Health. The role will involve the drafting of variety of notices to remedy breaches of planning control and liaison with legal services to ensure such notices are worded and served effectively.

The Dorset Council Area is an outstanding natural and historic environment, with national and international designations including outstanding natural beauty internationally protected heathland habitats, two areas of and the "Jurassic Coast" World. The post offers the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of interesting and challenging enforcement issues.

 

About you 

In addition to undertaking investigations, you will need strong negotiation skills to resolve breaches informally. You will be required to provide in put into enforcement appeal statements, be able to write witness statements and produce high quality evidence at appeal and in the criminal courts under the direction of the enforcement manager, senior enforcement officers and legal services. The ability to carry out interviews under the Police and criminal evidence act (PACE) will be required.

The role includes being able to answer planning enforcement queries from members of the public, Parish and Town Council's outside bodies and Councillors. The ability to communicate verbally and in writing to a wide range of people explaining complex planning matters in clear simple English so interested parties are informed of the progress of investigations and the reasons for decisions are clear. There will be occasions that speaking at committees or as a material witness in hearings will be necessary.

Experience in enforcement or a similar investigatory role (e.g. the police) and/or membership of a relevant body such as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is desirable.

Additional information

The post is based in Dorchester but will cover the northern areas of Dorchester,  Sherborne/Shaftesbury/Blandford Forum/Gillingham and all villages in between.

The role requires extensive travel and access to a vehicle to be available most working days is required. Mileage claims will be paid at the standard Council rate.

This post has a significant travel requirement and you are contractually required to have a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by the council) available for use as required.

If you wish to discuss the job vacancy in further detail, please contact Mark Hitchcott, Enforcement  Manager, on 01258 484233.

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