At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting planning projects and improve services while collaborating with various teams.
- Company: Join Maidstone Borough Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to enhancing community services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, generous holidays, and perks like free parking and wellness events.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values your ideas and promotes work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Project delivery experience is key; planning knowledge is a bonus but not essential.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional travel; opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Mid Kent Planning Support at Maidstone Borough Council, by taking responsibility for the service’s improvement plan and working with client authorities delivering key planning and local land charges projects. The role will also liaise with ICT and external suppliers to maximise performance and delivery, and provide data analysis and information to managers to drive improvements across the service and supported teams. The post is offered on a remote basis with occasional travel to Maidstone as required.
About You:
We are looking for someone who has hands-on project delivery experience with excellent time management skills, ability to prioritise and a track record of delivering projects. Experience in planning and local land charges is desirable but not essential as long as you can demonstrate an aptitude for problem solving and delivery. Excellent people skills are necessary to liaise with clients on projects which have tight deadlines whilst taking ownership of queries and problems through to resolution.
About Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans. We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work-life balance.
Our Offer:
- Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
- 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year
- Free parking
- Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part-time
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
- Annual flu vaccine
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role
Selection Process:
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful following shortlisting can expect an interview. Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Maidstone Borough Council has a Sponsor License which enables successful candidates in eligible roles to be sponsored for work Visa purposes.
For further information or if you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Ryan O’Connell on 01622 602503 or Caroline Pieri on 01622 602130.
Interview Date: Wednesday 08 November 2023
Project & Development Officer employer: Maidstone Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Maidstone Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project & Development Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Maidstone Borough Council's recent projects and initiatives. This will not only help you understand their goals but also allow you to tailor your discussions during the interview, showcasing your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Maidstone Borough Council on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your interview preparation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your project delivery skills and problem-solving abilities. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed tight deadlines and resolved issues in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends in planning and local land charges. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and innovations in the field will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview and show your commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Project & Development Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant project delivery experience and time management skills. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to prioritise tasks and deliver projects successfully.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at Maidstone Borough Council. Mention your problem-solving aptitude and people skills, and how they align with the council's vision and values.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you lack direct experience in planning and local land charges, emphasise any transferable skills or experiences that showcase your ability to manage projects and liaise effectively with clients.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Maidstone Borough Council
✨Showcase Your Project Delivery Experience
Make sure to highlight your hands-on project delivery experience during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you successfully delivered results.
✨Demonstrate Time Management Skills
Since excellent time management is crucial for this role, come equipped with examples of how you've effectively prioritised tasks in previous positions. Discuss any tools or methods you use to stay organised and meet tight deadlines.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of situations where you had to resolve issues quickly and effectively, especially in a project context. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Given the importance of liaising with clients, be ready to discuss your interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've built relationships, communicated effectively, and resolved conflicts in past roles to demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively.