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- Tasks: Lead the development of planning policies and prepare evidence-based documents for Buckinghamshire's Local Plan.
- Company: Join Buckinghamshire Council, a dynamic organisation focused on positive change for local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health initiatives, discounts, and a supportive career development environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Buckinghamshire's future while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Must have a planning degree and RTPI membership or eligibility, plus strong interpersonal skills.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term contract until March 2028, with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
A key opportunity to shape the future is the new Buckinghamshire Local Plan that we are currently preparing, working across our different services and with our partners. We are active in supporting many towns and parish councils as they prepare neighbourhood plans, as well as ensuring we have high quality development monitoring information in place to underpin all we do. As an experienced planning policy professional, you will take on key work areas in preparing the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire. This will entail working with others on the development of planning policies and in preparing evidence-based documents to support the development of the plan. You will also work on a range of other planning policy work and will be part of a team that delivers an efficient, high-quality, resilient and customer-focused service to the residents of Buckinghamshire. We want to play to your strengths but also provide the opportunity for you to develop and broaden your skills and experience, and we will provide the right support to help you do that. As part of a larger team, you will benefit from working alongside colleagues with a wide range of experience across different topics.
Role Flexibility and Working Arrangements
As an \”any-desk\” worker, you\’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can be from either home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week. The role may involve different working patterns depending on your team requirements.
Responsibilities
- Lead or contribute to the preparation of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan, including policy development and evidence-based documentation.
- Collaborate with colleagues and partners across services and with towns, parishes, and other stakeholders.
- Support a range of planning policy work and contribute to an efficient, high-quality, resilient and customer-focused service for residents.
- Provide support and mentoring to other staff where needed and work across teams to deliver outcomes.
- Contribute to development monitoring information and ensure it underpins planning decisions.
Qualifications and Skills
- A planning degree and full membership of RTPI (or eligibility for membership).
- Significant experience in planning policy, including work on local plans.
- Ability to work closely and collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and support other staff.
- Excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills with significant expertise in Planning Policy, particularly relating to local plans.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with partners; flexible approach to work; good organisational skills; and a positive contribution to a team environment.
About the Organisation and Benefits
By joining us as a Senior Planning Policy Officer at Buckinghamshire Council, you will be part of a team committed to shaping the future of Buckinghamshire. Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation formed from five councils, focused on serving residents and providing stronger representation locally and nationally. Planning Policy sits within the Spatial Planning and Climate Resilience service, as part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate, which delivers planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property services. Our values are Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.
Our offer includes:
- a fair and inclusive culture
- opportunities to make a difference
- health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
- employee representative groups and flexible working
- career development and progression opportunities
- benefits such as discounts on cafés, restaurants, shops, a generous pension scheme, Costco membership, discounted gym memberships, and travel discounts with Arriva
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Senior Planning Policy Officer employer: Buckinghamshire Council
Contact Detail:
Buckinghamshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Policy Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the planning policy field, especially those who have experience with local plans. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and stakeholders, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Buckinghamshire's current planning policies and the ongoing development of the Local Plan. Understanding the local context will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your collaborative experiences in previous roles. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully worked with diverse stakeholders, as this is a key requirement for the Senior Planning Policy Officer position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your flexibility and adaptability in your discussions. The role requires a dynamic approach to work, so be ready to share instances where you've successfully navigated changing priorities or worked in different environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Policy Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your significant experience in planning policy, particularly with local plans. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and support other staff.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for shaping the future of Buckinghamshire. Mention how your skills align with the role and the values of Buckinghamshire Council, such as being proud, ambitious, collaborative, and trustworthy.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked across teams and with partners in previous roles.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Buckinghamshire Council
✨Showcase Your Planning Policy Experience
Make sure to highlight your significant experience in planning policy, especially regarding local plans. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on and the outcomes achieved, as this will demonstrate your expertise and suitability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Since the role requires working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them through teamwork and negotiation.
✨Understand Buckinghamshire Council's Values
Familiarise yourself with the council's values: Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy. During the interview, try to align your answers with these values, showing that you are a good cultural fit for the organisation.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Have thoughtful questions ready about the role and the council's future projects, particularly the new Local Plan. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
