At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a diverse portfolio of planning applications and contribute to strategic development projects.
- Company: Join East Herts Council, a progressive team dedicated to sustainable development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, market supplement, career progression, and supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities while developing your planning skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in planning or related field and experience in Development Management.
- Other info: Blended working options available and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 38009 - 44804 £ per year.
Salary Grade 7-8 £38,009 - £44,804 (inclusive of Local Weighting) plus a £3,500 Market Supplement
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37
Job Category: Planning
Location: East Herts Council offices, Wallfields, Hertford
Reference: eastherts/TP/907/142
Full-Time, 37 hours per week, permanent. Blended working is available in Hertford.
East Herts Council is looking for a Planning Officer or Senior Planning Officer (depending on experience) to join our welcoming and progressive Development Management team. This role is suitable for someone with experience in Development Management and interested in managing a mixed and varied portfolio of planning work. If appointed at Planning Officer level, this career grade post provides the opportunity to progress to senior level, working on more complex/major applications and supervising more junior members of the team.
East Herts is a district rich and diverse in character with attractive market towns, villages, special landscapes, and natural and built heritage features, including 42 Conservation Areas and over 3,000 listed buildings. It is also experiencing significant growth, with strategic sites coming forward for development, including a new settlement of 10,000 homes within the emerging Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.
Our ambitious planning policies aim to maximise affordable housing delivery, secure sustainable, environmentally progressive development and deliver the highest quality built environment, whilst respecting, celebrating and protecting the District's distinct rural character and unique heritage.
We encourage applicants who are enthusiastic, hard-working, keen to learn and share our aims and ambitions. Good customer skills, effective written and verbal communication, and efficient time management are essential for this role.
In return, we offer the opportunity to work on a varied and interesting portfolio of work, in a fast-paced, friendly and experienced team that will support you to develop your skills and progress your career. While you’ll have your own portfolio of work, we encourage career progression through mentorship from experienced officers and opportunities to work as part of a project team on some of our strategic development projects.
In line with their pay policy, EHC will review the application of the Market Forces Supplement annually, and if warranted, will make adjustments in liaison with affected staff.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
- A degree in town and country planning, geography or an environmental-related subject.
- Previous experience of working as part of a Development Management service managing a mixed and varied case load of planning applications.
- Good communication skills with the ability to deliver planning information in a positive and proactive way to a varied audience.
- The ability to assimilate, understand and articulate planning issues rapidly and make balanced, robust planning recommendations.
- Excellent time management and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Excellent written skills.
- A valid, full driving licence.
For those applying for the Senior Planning Officer post, candidates should demonstrate (in addition to the above) how they meet the specific grade 8 criteria in the JD and Person Specification.
How To Apply:
For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Rachael Collard, Development Management Team Leader. Contact details are available via the apply button.
Closing date: 28 February 2026 at midnight
Interviews will be held in person at the Council's offices in Hertford at the end of March (we are unable to offer virtual interviews).
Equal Opportunities:
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing diversity and maintaining a firm commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. We believe that creating inclusive environments leads to stronger collaboration and better outcomes in our work.
Career Grade Planning Officer employer: Grupo Digital Mexicano, SA de CV
Contact Detail:
Grupo Digital Mexicano, SA de CV Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Career Grade Planning Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at East Herts Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the team and the role, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent planning projects in East Herts. We want to show that we’re not just passionate but also informed about the local area and its development challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! Since good customer skills are essential, let’s role-play common interview questions with a friend. This will help us articulate our thoughts clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our submission to highlight how we fit the role perfectly.
We think you need these skills to ace Career Grade Planning Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of a Planning Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since good communication is key for this role, ensure your written application is clear and concise. We want to see your ability to articulate planning issues effectively right from the start!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to showcase your previous experience in Development Management. Whether it’s managing a mixed case load or working on complex applications, let us know how you've tackled similar challenges.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Grupo Digital Mexicano, SA de CV
✨Know Your Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of development management and planning policies. Familiarise yourself with East Herts Council's ambitious goals, especially around affordable housing and sustainable development. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since good communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and positively. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated planning information to different audiences in the past. This will help demonstrate your ability to engage with stakeholders and deliver complex information simply.
✨Time Management is Key
With a varied portfolio of work, time management is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've managed multiple projects or deadlines in previous roles. You might even want to share specific tools or techniques you use to stay organised and efficient.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team, the projects you'll be working on, and the council's future plans. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your career aspirations. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level.