At a Glance
- Tasks: Support planning activities and contribute to shaping Dartmoor's future.
- Company: Dartmoor National Park Authority, dedicated to conserving natural beauty and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexitime, and discounts at visitor centres.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities and tackle climate change.
- Qualifications: Degree in planning or related field; knowledge of planning legislation is a plus.
- Other info: Beautiful office location with free parking and excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 29540 - 33699 £ per year.
Bovey Tracey, Devon
About Us
Dartmoor National Park Authority works in partnership with local and national stakeholders to conserve and enhance Dartmoor as a vibrant, living, working landscape and community teeming with natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. We promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the special qualities of Dartmoor National Park, whilst also promoting the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.
We are excited to be looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Planning Policy Officer to join our team on a temporary contract of up to 12 months. If you are ready to make a real impact and contribute to shaping our community's future, we would love to hear from you.
The Benefits
- Salary of £29,540 - £33,699 per annum
- Generous annual leave and flexitime policies
- Access to electric vehicle pool car fleet
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Beautiful office location on National Trust estate, with free parking and café on site
- Discounts at National Park Visitor Centres
- Free parking in our car parks on Dartmoor
The Role
As an Assistant Planning Policy Officer, you will play a key role in helping to deliver our Planning activities and support our role as the Planning Authority for Dartmoor National Park. Specifically, you will support the work of the Spatial Planning Directorate in the preparation and delivery of our Partnership Plan, as well as statutory planning functions related to the Local Plan. You will also ensure that we foster the socio-economic wellbeing of the communities throughout the National Park and have a role in planning how we, as an organisation and as a National Park, mitigate and adapt to climate change. You will monitor Local Plan policies and actions, supporting the review, governance and implementation of the Partnership Plan, co-ordinate the evidence base for policy development in the National Park and assist in monitoring and action setting in relation to climate change objectives.
This varied and engaging role will also involve:
- Carrying out surveys, studies, and appraisals relating to the work of the Authority
- Advising on how the Authority can use data more effectively
- Preparing project briefs and invitations to tender for surveys, studies and appraisals
- Preparing monitoring reports
- Collating, analysing and preparing State of the Park information
- Advising the Development Management team, applicants and landowners on planning policy
- Liaising with local authorities, agencies, stakeholders and other organisations to foster partnership working
- Contributing to web content, social media and publications and helping with events
About You
To be considered as an Assistant Planning Policy Officer, you will need:
- A degree-level qualification, ideally in Town and Country Planning or a related environmental, geography or natural/social sciences discipline
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and ideally GIS applications, plus general ICT skills, including those associated with data analysis, presentation, web and social media
Knowledge of relevant planning legislation would be beneficial to your application, as would an understanding of the role of National Park Authorities. Knowledge of local plan production, the procedures that need to be followed and the documents that underpin the production of policy plans would be advantageous. An advanced ICT skill set related to design and statistical software packages will also be helpful in this role. Previous Local Government experience of working in Planning Policy and Development Management would be desirable, as would a sound understanding of planning issues, including those relating to minerals and waste issues. Experience of dealing with the general public, agents, and elected members on planning policy matters would be equally favourable.
Other organisations may call this role Graduate Policy Officer, Planning Policy Officer, Graduate Planning Officer, Graduate Planning Policy Officer, or Graduate Planner.
For further information, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Liz Payne, Senior Planning Policy Officer.
Closing date: Sunday 26th April 2026
Interview date: Friday 15th May 2026
Dartmoor National Park Authority is a disability confident and an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.
So, if you are seeking your next challenge as an Assistant Planning Policy Officer, please apply via the button shown.
Assistant Planning Policy Officer in Devon employer: Dartmoor National Park Authority
Contact Detail:
Dartmoor National Park Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Planning Policy Officer in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the planning policy field, especially those connected to Dartmoor National Park. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Dartmoor National Park's current projects and challenges. Show us that you're not just interested in the role, but that you genuinely care about the community and environment you'll be working with.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to planning policy. We want to see how you think on your feet, so consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at Dartmoor National Park.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Planning Policy Officer in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Assistant Planning Policy Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at Dartmoor National Park!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for planning policy and environmental conservation shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in our community and the natural landscape.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences, so we can easily see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you as soon as possible. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dartmoor National Park Authority
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Familiarise yourself with the key planning policies and legislation relevant to Dartmoor National Park. Understanding the local plan production process and how it impacts the community will show your genuine interest in the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis and presentation tools, especially Microsoft Office and GIS applications. Bring examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles or projects, as this is crucial for the Assistant Planning Policy Officer position.
✨Engage with Local Issues
Research current socio-economic issues affecting Dartmoor and think about how they relate to planning policy. Being able to discuss these topics during your interview will demonstrate your commitment to the community and your understanding of the role's impact.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewers about their work and future projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.