Specialist Planning and Health Officer

This is a fixed‑term contract or secondment opportunity to March 2028. This is a hybrid‑working role, with a requirement to work at a functional work location on 1 day per week on average, depending on business need. Bring your passion, ideas and energy – help shape healthier places for the future of Essex. We are seeking a Specialist Planning and Health Officer to join the Planning and Public Health Programme, working closely with the Strategic Planning and Public Health Lead. This is a matrix role across the Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Service and the Planning and Development Service (Spatial Planning).

Responsibilities

• Support the Strategic Planning and Health Lead on key areas of focus in the Planning and Public Health Programme.
• Provide public health advice to inform policy, strategy and decision‑making across the council and with partners.
• Support the integration of health and wellbeing into spatial planning frameworks, strategies and major developments.
• Develop and promote guidance, evidence and best practice to embed a “Health in All Policies” approach.
• Provide support on health impact assessments against ECC guidance and the Essex Healthy Places Guidance and quality assurance of health impact assessments.
• Build and sustain effective relationships and capacity across public health, planning and partner organisations.
• Support governance, advisory and evaluation activity to ensure the programme delivers measurable outcomes.

Experience you will bring

Essential skills and abilities

• Sound understanding of the UK planning system and practice (policy, development management and Local Plans) and of public health strategies, broad health system and the wider determinants of health.
• Strong analytical skills, able to interpret complex information and data, and to draft clear, evidence‑based reports and responses.
• Ability to build relationships and engage, influence and collaborate with a broad range of internal and external partners.
• Experience of working in a political environment, working effectively with members and senior officers across the council and partner agencies.
• Ability to plan and prioritise a varied workload, meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Skills in working with multi‑disciplinary teams in the public and/or private sector; experience of working with both internal and external partners within a complex multi‑agency environment.
• Recent and relevant experience of delivering projects or programmes of significant complexity, with a track record of successfully delivering outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders and external partners and to use diplomacy and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and engagement skills.
• Well‑developed and accurate IT skills (including use of Microsoft Office).
• Able to use own initiative and work independently and as a part of a team to solve complex problems and develop solutions.

Essential education and qualifications

• Educated to degree level and/or relevant professional experience in spatial planning, public health, environmental health or a related field, with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in the relevant professional area.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and development.
• Knowledge of Health Impact Assessments and Health within Environmental Impact Assessments.

Desirable education and qualifications

• Educated to a master’s level (MSc in Public Health/Planning or equivalent).
• UKPHR Registered/FPH or RTPI Chartered or relevant eligible membership of a relevant professional body.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Equality and diversity

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job under our Job Interview Scheme, and to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. We welcome reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and any further support required. We also provide support for unpaid carers and offer flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

Contact

If you have queries about this role or require further information, please email Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk.