At a Glance
- Tasks: Support planning applications with admin tasks and customer service.
- Company: Join a top-rated council team making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, career development, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in a supportive environment with real impact.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, admin experience, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Great location with excellent transport links and opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 25185 - 26403 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an ambitious and motivated individual to join our Development Services team as a Planning Support Officer. As a Planning Support Officer, you will primarily provide clerical and administrative support in the processing of planning applications.
Our Planning and Regeneration service is going from strength to strength, having been awarded East Midlands Local Planning Authority Team of the Year 2024, and receiving a commendation in the East Midlands Young Planner of the Year Awards 2025. You will be working within a settled, supportive and experienced team, with a proven track record of supporting Planning Support Officers who wish to progress into other roles within the team.
What you will be doing:
- Provide administrative and technical support in the processing and validation of planning applications
- Issue planning decisions and supply planning-related information
- Respond to planning enquiries via phone and email
- Maintain and update electronic records, databases and document management systems
- Record and respond to planning enforcement complaints
- Support preparation for planning appeals, committee meetings and the Local Plan
- Assist with FOI, Environmental Information and Data Protection requests
- Process orders and invoices in line with financial procedures
About you: This role is ideal for someone who is a positive and effective team player, has a flexible, pro-active approach, is customer focused and looking for career progression, ideally within a planning environment.
Essential criteria:
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths or demonstrable equivalent experience
- Experience in an administrative role, ideally in a busy office environment
- Experience maintaining computerised records and document management systems
- Strong customer service skills and experience supporting members of the public
- Confident user of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision
- Methodical approach with excellent attention to detail
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to process and manage data and figures accurately
Why Join Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council: A great place to work, grow and make a real difference. Join a flexible, supportive council offering great development, strong wellbeing, financial benefits and values that put people first. Make a real difference in Hinckley & Bosworth.
Benefits:
- Flexible working flexi-time, hybrid, part-time and compressed hours (role-dependent)
- Generous annual leave 26-33 days + bank holidays
- Career development training, funded qualifications, apprenticeships, e-learning
- Strong wellbeing support EAP & counselling, occupational health, wellbeing sessions
- Financial benefits competitive pay, cost-of-living increases, local government pension scheme
- Salary-sacrifice schemes tusker cars, tech, cycle to work
- Relocation package up to £5,000
- Lifestyle discounts retail, travel, entertainment and more
Hinckley & Bosworth - A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY. Situated at the very heart of England on the border of the East and West Midlands, Hinckley is well connected by major transport links to the cities of Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham and in an ideal location for commuting being close to major transport links of the M1, M6, M69, M42 and the A5. We welcome applications from all of the community. Benefits include flexible working options, generous pension scheme and annual leave plus bank holidays. Reasonable workplace adjustments are considered for all roles.
Planning Support Officer employer: Hinckley And Bosworth Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Hinckley And Bosworth Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the planning field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council and its recent projects. Show that you're genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute as a Planning Support Officer. Tailor your answers to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Planning Support Officer, you'll be dealing with the public and colleagues regularly. Role-play common scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, keep an eye on our career development opportunities – we love to see our team members grow!
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Planning Support Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our Development Services team!
Show Off Your Admin Skills: Since this role involves a lot of administrative support, be sure to showcase your experience in maintaining records and managing data. We love seeing candidates who are organised and detail-oriented!
Highlight Customer Service Experience: As a Planning Support Officer, you'll be interacting with the public, so let us know about your customer service skills. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated and resolved issues in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hinckley And Bosworth Borough Council
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Planning Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, like processing planning applications and responding to enquiries. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role involves interacting with the public, be ready to share examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Think of specific situations where you resolved issues or helped someone effectively. This will show that you're not just capable but also genuinely care about helping others.
✨Be Prepared for Technical Questions
Brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Office and any document management systems you’ve used. You might be asked about your experience maintaining electronic records or processing invoices, so having concrete examples ready will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, opportunities for career progression, or how the council supports its staff. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.