Planning Officer, Permanent

Are you passionate about the environment, sustainability and the future of places? Are you looking for a career where you can influence real-world decisions and help tackle some of society's biggest challenges, including climate change, resource management, biodiversity recovery and the transition to a circular economy?

Whether you're a recent planning graduate, an early-career planner, or someone with a background in geography, environmental science, geology, earth sciences, sustainability or a related discipline, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

We are seeking a Planning Officer to join our friendly and experienced Minerals & Waste Policy Team at an exciting moment in Gloucestershire's future. We are about to begin preparing a new Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan, creating a rare opportunity to help shape how the county manages its natural resources, plans for future development, supports sustainable growth and protects the environment for generations to come.

This role offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across the full spectrum of plan-making. Working alongside experienced professionals, you will develop highly transferable skills in research, policy writing, evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement, public consultation and strategic thinking, providing an outstanding foundation for a rewarding career.

For those pursuing a planning career, the role provides an excellent environment in which to build professional competence and gain the practical experience needed to work towards Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI). Equally, for candidates from related disciplines who are curious about a future in planning, the role offers an exceptional introduction to a profession that sits at the heart of balancing environmental, social and economic priorities.

About the Role and the Team

As a Planning Officer within our Minerals & Waste Policy Team, you will support the preparation of the new Gloucestershire Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan and contribute to a wide range of planning policy, evidence gathering and stakeholder engagement activities.

You will become involved in every stage of the plan-making process, gaining exposure to work that many planners only experience in specialist areas or later in their careers. This breadth of experience will provide an excellent platform for developing professional competence and building practical experience across a wide spectrum of planning activities.

Your work will include:

• Supporting the preparation of the new Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan.
• Assisting with the collection, analysis and interpretation of planning evidence.
• Undertaking research into environmental, economic and planning issues.
• Contributing to public consultation and community engagement activities.
• Drafting planning policy documents, reports and supporting material.
• Supporting Sustainability Appraisal and other plan-making assessments.
• Working with local authorities, statutory bodies, community groups, environmental organisations and industry representatives.
• Contributing to monitoring and reporting on minerals and waste planning matters.
• Helping to identify future planning challenges and opportunities relating to resources, infrastructure and environmental protection.

The team is small, experienced, collaborative and highly supportive. We believe in providing meaningful responsibility and opportunities from the outset, giving colleagues exposure to all aspects of plan-making rather than limiting them to narrow areas of work.

We have a strong track record of mentoring and developing planning professionals, including apprentices and early-career planners. You will receive support, guidance and encouragement from experienced colleagues who understand the importance of professional development and helping others succeed. Regular mentoring and coaching will help you build confidence, develop your skills and progress your career.

The role also offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to service innovation and digital transformation. As we embrace modern technologies and new approaches to planning, you will be encouraged to contribute ideas, explore innovative solutions and help shape how planning services are delivered in the future.

About You

You will be enthusiastic about planning, sustainability and the environment, and excited by the opportunity to help shape Gloucestershire's future.

You may be a recent graduate from an RTPI-accredited planning programme, an early-career planner looking to develop your plan-making skills, or a graduate from a related discipline such as geography, environmental science, sustainability, geology, earth sciences or environmental management who is interested in developing a career in planning.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is curious about the world around them, passionate about environmental issues and eager to develop the skills needed to help shape sustainable places and communities.

You will bring:

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in planning or a related discipline.
• A genuine interest in environmental issues, sustainability and long-term planning.
• An enthusiasm for policy development, research and strategic thinking.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to interpret and present information clearly and effectively.
• A willingness to learn and develop professionally.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• A positive attitude and commitment to delivering high-quality work.

Previous planning experience is welcomed but not essential. We recognise that talented people come from a variety of backgrounds and are committed to supporting the right candidate to develop and succeed.

Most importantly, you will bring energy, curiosity and a desire to learn. We are looking for someone who wants to develop professionally, contribute positively to a supportive team and help shape a more sustainable future for Gloucestershire.

About Us

At Gloucestershire County Council, we are committed to creating a workplace where people feel supported, valued and empowered to achieve their potential. Our Minerals & Waste Policy Team works at the intersection of some of the most important challenges facing society today, including climate change, resource management, biodiversity recovery, sustainable development and the transition to a more circular economy.

Minerals and waste planning offers a unique perspective on sustainability. The decisions made through the Local Plan help shape how essential resources are sourced, how waste is managed and reduced, how environmental impacts are minimised and how landscapes can be restored and enhanced for future generations.

Gloucestershire's varied geology and geography create an especially diverse planning environment. From nationally important limestone resources in the Forest of Dean and Cotswolds to sand and gravel workings in the Upper Thames Valley and Severn Vale, the county offers exposure to a wide range of mineral resources, extraction methods, restoration projects and waste management infrastructure. Few planning roles offer the same opportunity to gain experience across such a diverse range of environmental, technical and strategic planning issues.

As you'd expect, we offer an attractive package of benefits that makes a career in local government both flexible and rewarding, including:

• Hybrid working arrangements, with a mix of office and remote working, balancing service needs and individual choice.
• Flexible and agile working opportunities.
• 25.5 days annual leave, rising to 30.5 days after five years' continuous service.
• Career development and qualification opportunities.
• Structured support for professional development and progression towards RTPI chartership where applicable.
• A supportive, collaborative and positive working environment.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), providing free and confidential counselling, support and advice 24 hours a day, online and by telephone.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (terms and conditions apply).
• Access to employee networks, including the Prism (LGBT+) Network and the Young Employees Network.

Join us and help shape a Local Plan that will influence Gloucestershire's environment, economy and communities for decades to come. This is an opportunity to develop exceptional transferable skills, work alongside experienced professionals and build a strong foundation for a successful and rewarding career.

How to Apply

If you are looking to start or develop your career in planning, sustainability or environmental policy and want to play a meaningful role in preparing Gloucestershire's new Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your application and supporting statement by clicking the Apply Now button.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Robin Drake, Team Manager (Planning Development Management and Minerals & Waste Planning).

We look forward to hearing how your enthusiasm, skills and ambition can contribute to this exciting new phase of plan-making in Gloucestershire.

Additional Information

To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below:

Job Profile - Planning Officer

Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates will need to have right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months' employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer.

Applications from any Gloucestershire County Council's employees who are currently on the redeployment register or at risk of redundancy will be considered first at shortlisting stage. We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.

It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a customer facing role must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.

Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.