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Senior Planning Officer

Durham County Council

Job Description

We are looking for someone with an ability to show determination to achieve results and to see complex projects through to completion who also understands corporate implications of the decision making process.WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will assist the Principal Planning Officer in ensuring the effective delivery of the statutory processes. You will play an important role in ensuring the service effectively engages with its customers, including the general public, communities, applicants, stakeholders and the development industry in the planning service; and this may include attending public meetings, community consultation events and Town and Parish meetings as appropriate. You will deal with a case load of major and contentious planning applications and related matters and will be expected to attend Council meetings, including Planning Committee meetings to assist service management in the presentation of reports in relation to planning matters. We encourage you to contact Paul Hopper, Principal Planning Officer via email at [email protected] to arrange an informal discussion about the role. WHAT WILL I NEED? You should be educated to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant town planning qualification (G11) and have a Professional qualification (RTPI) (G12). You will have significant recent experience of development management services and of dealing with planning appeals. To progress to a Grade 12, you should have an ability to represent the Council at major public inquiries and/or hearings and be able to mentor and advise junior members of staff in a structured manner Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. HOW TO APPLY In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal. Please use the 'Person Specification' section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed. INTERVIEWS Interviews are scheduled to be held on Wednesday 30 October 2024. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran. If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email [email protected] or telephone 03000 264469 / 264798 / 264764 BENEFITS AND REWARDS We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:
  • Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
  • Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
  • Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
  • Hybrid working (home and office working).
  • Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
  • Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
  • Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
  • Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
  • Discounted DCC gym membership.
  • Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
  • Trade Union membership.
  • A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefitsHYBRID WORKING Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look:https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM [email protected] AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf

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