At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape a sustainable future through impactful planning projects in beautiful Herefordshire.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, a supportive team dedicated to community and environmental growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong support for diverse voices and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while advancing your planning career.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning applications and a passion for sustainable development.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 40777 £ per year.
Herefordshire Council are seeking to recruit to two Senior Planning Officer posts – one full time 37 hours per week and one six month part-time maternity cover for 22.2 hours per week. The successful applicants will be ambitious town planners seeking to gain further experience within Development Management and take their career to the next level, or someone with senior level experience simply looking to work in a beautiful part of the world and with a great team. Read the full advert to understand how you could play a key role in shaping a sustainable and greener future for the Herefordshire community.
What will you be doing?
You will be based within one of the two area teams and the role will involve you in some of the more significant planning (and associated) applications that we deal with. You will work within the beautiful Herefordshire countryside as well as dealing with casework within the city of Hereford and/or its surrounding market towns and villages. The County is rich in biodiversity, landscape and heritage value including two National Landscapes, Conservation Areas and many listed buildings. We think it’s a truly outstanding place to work, that will offer the right candidate valuable experience in a wide range of casework and challenges, as well as an opportunity to shape a sustainable future as the Council embarks on the preparation of a new Local Plan.
About You
As a Senior Planning Officer you will have:
- An understanding of the role of a Senior Planning Officer in a local planning authority and demonstrable experience of dealing with a range of planning and other associated applications.
- Strong knowledge of planning policy, regulatory issues and current legislation.
- The ability to work under your own initiative as well as within a team, often to tight deadlines and on multiple work streams.
- Membership of or be or actively working towards membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
- A current full driving licence. Pool Cars are available for use.
Please note we do not provide sponsorship for employment in the UK.
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £36,363 - £40,777 (pay award pending)
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We’re proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together. Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales.
The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west. Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working. We are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, which is a cross border collaboration between Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Shropshire who are collectively working to secure funding to invest in the region.
The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan, with four main areas:
- People: We will enable residents to realise their potential, to be healthy and to be part of great communities who support each other. We want all children to have the best start in life.
- Place: We will protect and enhance our environment and ensure that Herefordshire is a great place to live. We will support the right housing in the right place, we will support access to green spaces and we will do everything we can to recover the health of our rivers.
- Growth: We will create the conditions to deliver sustainable growth across the county; attracting inward investment, building business confidence, creating jobs, enabling housing development along with providing the right infrastructure.
- Transformation: We will be an efficient council that embraces best practice, delivers innovation through technology and demonstrates value for money.
Don’t meet all parts of the job description? Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people’s views and needs.
For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: spiritofherefordshire.com.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Andrew Banks, Development Manager on 01432 383085 or by email: Andrew.Banks@herefordshire.gov.uk. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too. Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
Senior Planning Officer in Hereford employer: Herefordshire Council
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every role contributes to the community's well-being. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and clear pathways for career progression, employees are empowered to grow professionally while enjoying the stunning landscapes of Herefordshire. The council fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it a truly rewarding place to work for those passionate about shaping a sustainable future.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Officer in Hereford
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Officer in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Herefordshire Council and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Herefordshire Council
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Herefordshire Council, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Herefordshire Council.
