Planning Policy Officer

Salary: Grade 8, £30,873 – £36,841 per annum (pay award pending)

Hours: Full time 37 hours per week

Place of Work: Dereham

Basis: Permanent

Would you like a job where what you do:

• Makes a difference to a large area for residents and business?
• Allows you to develop your skills and learn from others?
• Creates a lasting legacy which will impact generations to come?

Contribute to the update of the Council's Local Plan, a key document setting out the vision and growth strategy for the District, the production of individual documents within and informing the Local Plan to meet the milestones in the local development scheme. Supporting the production of Neighbourhood Development Plans throughout the production process including new designations for Neighbourhood Areas.

Planning and Development: We regulate the use of land in the public interest. Providing a framework for the delivery of sustainable homes and jobs for Breckland residents in the long term.

You will:

• Contribute to the update of the Council's Local Plan and to the production of individual documents within and informing the Local Plan to meet the milestones in the local development scheme.
• Support the preparation and review of studies or advisory services from external consultants.
• Support the production of Neighbourhood Development Plans throughout the production process including new designations for Neighbourhood Areas.
• Support the preparation and adoption/approval and implementation of other planning documents and plans - including strategies, action plans, planning briefs, supplementary guidance, proofs of evidence, press releases and consultation material.
• Undertake consultation processes on development plan and other documents in agreement with the Planning Policy Manager and/or the Director of Planning.
• Prepare reports to Committees, officer groups, public meetings / consultations and Inspectorate examinations; (This may require evening and / or weekend work)
• Provide support and advice to the development management team, on strategically important planning applications, enforcement and appeals.
• Such other duties as may, from time to time, be allocated appropriate to the grade and contributing to the purpose and objectives of the post.

About you:

• Collaborative: I look for ways to work in partnership and listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge. I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input. I recognise, appreciate and praise others for their contribution.
• Ambitious: I always ask myself ‘How could we do this better?’, taking ownership of change and helping others to understand, adapt, implement, and embed it. I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things. My approach to work is filled with positivity and optimism. I am a proud ambassador, taking pride and responsibility for the work we do and encouraging others to do the same.
• Results-driven: I review my own performance and ask for feedback to learn and improve. I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions. I am driven, showing courage and resilience even when things don’t go to plan. I keep to my promises and challenge myself and others to deliver high-quality services.
• Empowering: I show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo – acting on opportunities to generate income or reduce costs, embracing new technology and promoting digitalisation. I ask for help and support when needed, and take responsibility if things don’t go well, learning from it for my own and for the organisation’s development. I appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour.
• Supportive: I treat others as I would want to be treated myself, ensuring that I am welcoming, friendly and approachable. I care for my colleagues, take an interest in them, and show support for their personal identities and what’s important to them. I understand and take care of my own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of those around me. I give time to colleagues who need help or support.

As our Planning Policy Officer you will:

• Have experience of working effectively in a team and demonstrable knowledge of the role that planning plays within local government.
• The work that you will carry out will shape the future of development over each plan period, the Local Plan and related documents will be utilised and built on to meet the needs of the residents and the aspirations of the Council.
• On a day-to-day basis your role will be varied and will progress as your experience grows.
• Engage in face-to-face consultations with residents using good communication skills to answer questions on all topics and be a point of contact different aspects of the Local Plan and other related documents.
• Author reports for committee, officer groups, consultations and a wide range of purposes.
• Develop your knowledge to assist colleagues by providing excellent verbal and written advice.
• Have the opportunity to grow and develop in different areas working closely with the team to deliver an outstanding service.
• A willingness to work together and demonstrable collaborative skills will be required as well as excellent organisational skills and a desire to deliver an optimal service.

Closing date: 5.00pm on 29th April

Working here:

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, or ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care for, listen to, and support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and always come up with innovative ways to meet the needs of the local communities we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can’t do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area; by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be the one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places. As such, people and businesses will choose to be here, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here, as well as those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

Our employees enjoy excellent conditions of service, including:

• A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
• Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing with service, plus bank holidays).
• Free car parking.
• Agile working arrangements.
• Newly refurbished office.

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Gemma Manthorpe, Planning Policy Manager by emailing: gemma.manthorpe@breckland.gov.uk

Equal Opportunities: We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce which reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies - these are listed as essential requirements on the person specification (within the Recruitment Pack).