Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Planning Officer, managing small-scale planning applications and providing resident-focused advice.
- Company: Oldham Council is dedicated to creating vibrant, safe neighbourhoods and a thriving economy.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, discounted gym memberships, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in planning with opportunities for growth and an RTPI accredited master's degree.
- Qualifications: A degree in Town and Country Planning or a related subject is essential; teamwork and communication skills are key.
- Other info: We value diversity and offer inclusive recruitment practices to support all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 27711 - 33366 £ per year.
Social network you want to login/join with:
Planning Service (Development Management)
Planning Officer
Ref: 000907
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,711 (Grade 4) – £33,366 (Grade 5), with the potential to progress to £41,511 (Grade 7) dependent upon experience and qualifications (within a career graded role)
Based: Spindles (with flexible home working arrangements)
Closing Date: Wednesday 30th August 2025
Shortlisting & Interview Dates: TBC.
Role Overview:
We are excited to offer the opportunity for two new Planning Officers to join our Development Management team within Grades 4 and 5 of a newly created career-graded role.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who has recently graduated (or is due to graduate shortly) from a Town and Country Planning (or other relevant or related) degree and who is looking to begin their career in Planning.
This newly created career graded role provides opportunities for graduates of other (relevant or related) subjects to undertake an RTPI accredited master’s degree. The diverse nature of the role will quickly develop your knowledge and understanding of the wider planning system and provide a solid foundation upon which to base your future career.
Working within the Development Management team (which forms part of Oldham Council’s wider Planning Service) you will act as case officer for small-scale planning (and other) applications with the majority being for domestic extensions. Alongside this, when required, you will support other officers with the associated administration work and assist with the investigation of alleged breaches of planning controls.
Providing a resident focussed service is at the heart of the role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as case officer for small scale planning applications
- Provide timely advice to applicants, agents, councillors, and the public regarding planning issues raised, and ensure website content is accurate
- Support the administration work involved in processing planning applications
- Assist with the investigation of planning enforcement complaints.
Key Requirements:
To succeed in this role, you will need as a minimum:
- A degree in Town and Country Planning (or a relevant or related subject) or be actively working towards this
- Experience of working effectively as part of a high performing team
- Knowledge of the UK planning system and associated processes
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
About Us:
We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:
A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.
We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.
Our Values and Behaviours:
By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.
We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:
- Work with a resident focus
- Support local leaders
- Committed to the borough
- Delivery high performance
- Take ownership and drive change
You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page
Our Benefits Package:
At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:
- 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service
- The option to purchase additional annual leave.
- An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
- Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
- Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work. Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an
- Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
- Staff recognition and celebration events.
Inclusive Recruitment:
We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.
If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.
Data and Privacy:
For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.
Important Information:
Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.
Right to Work in the UK from 1st July 2021.doc
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Planning Officer employer: Oldham Council
Contact Detail:
Oldham Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the UK planning system and local policies. Understanding the specific regulations and guidelines that Oldham Council follows will give you an edge during interviews, as you'll be able to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the planning field. Attend local planning events or join relevant online forums to connect with current Planning Officers or other professionals. This can provide valuable insights into the role and may even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by practising your responses to common scenarios faced by Planning Officers. Think about how you would handle specific planning applications or community concerns, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your commitment to community engagement. Since the role focuses on providing a resident-focussed service, be ready to discuss how you would involve the community in the planning process and address their concerns effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Planning Officer role. Emphasise any coursework or projects related to Town and Country Planning, as well as teamwork and communication skills.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description. Show your enthusiasm for the role and how your background makes you a great fit for the team.
Showcase Your Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the UK planning system in your application. Mention any relevant experiences or studies that have prepared you for the challenges of the role, particularly in dealing with small-scale planning applications.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a planning role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oldham Council
✨Understand the Planning System
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the UK planning system and its processes. Familiarise yourself with recent changes in legislation and local planning policies, as this knowledge will demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Planning Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex information in the past, whether through presentations, reports, or discussions.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Experience
Highlight your experience working in teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you contributed to team success and how you can bring that collaborative spirit to the Development Management team.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the team's current projects or how they measure success in the Planning Service.
