Planning & Development Officer (Applications)

at  South Oxfordshire District Council

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

WORK RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2017; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

ABOUT THE ROLE AND WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

This role provides an opportunity to develop your skills and professional development within a shared Planning Service.
You will be responsible for the effective processing of planning applications, enforcement work, appeals and policy work in accordance with best practice, local and government performance targets and the provision of professional advice on a wide range of planning matters ensuring a development team approach to the customer.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE:

• processing a range of planning and associated applications including, enforcement work, appeals and policy work
• 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 a range of appeal cases including written representations
• hearings and Public Inquiries and managing the process independently, representing the council as a witness when required
• undertaking specific projects within the Planning Service as and when required
• 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
  The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.