A position has arisen for an enthusiastic planning officer with great communication skills to join our Development Management Service based at the Town Hall, Brentwood.  Brentwood is based just west of the M25 and has excellent connections to the centre of London via the Elizabeth Line and main line rail lines, along with public transport eastwards. Brentwood is predominantly (over 80%) Green Belt but with a varied built and natural environment, along with conservation areas and heritage assets. 

The planning team achieve excellent results and continually strive to improve processes and procedures while investing in its staff, promoting internally as well as looking outward to attract new talent.  The Council has recently entered into a strategic partnership with Rochford District Council to form ‘one team’ and the role offers an ideal opportunity to belong and contribute to a forward looking ‘one team’ planning service. 

The planning officer role includes a combination of handling pre-application enquiries, assessing planning applications and subsequent appeals, along with other project based work as required.  Your varied caseload will help develop your career and make an important contribution to the local area.  The role requires strong verbal, written and presentation skills along with strong interpersonal skills as you will be liaising with the public, external agents and organisations, Council Members and other Council departments.  You must be able to demonstrate the ability and self motivation to handle a diverse and competing workload and work to tight deadlines.  

Key Experience and Skills required:

• Strong IT literacy
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong Organisational skills including time management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible and adaptable
• Supportive team player