At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure planning compliance and enhance community spaces.
- Company: Join South Gloucestershire Council, dedicated to creating a sustainable environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work-life balance, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in town planning or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
As a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, you will play a vital role in making South Gloucestershire a safe, sustainable and attractive place to live, work and visit. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will contribute to the delivery of a high‑quality built environment, helping to protect and enhance the area for the benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors.
You will be responsible for leading a small team of Planning Enforcement Investigators, overseeing initial site visits to identify breaches of planning control, compliance monitoring and matters relating to the Community Infrastructure Levy. It will be your responsibility to manage a caseload of 40–60 cases of varying complexity, progressing them through to resolution in an effective and timely manner. You will also support team members in managing their own caseloads and deputise for line managers as required. This is a varied role; in addition to investigating alleged breaches of planning control, you will determine planning applications, prepare and defend appeals and take forward legal proceedings where necessary. You will gain end‑to‑end experience of the planning process, including pre‑application advice, application handling and post‑decision work. Responding to both internal and external enquiries, you will provide professional advice and deliver a high‑quality, customer focused service. You will be expected to exercise sound judgement and make informed decisions, particularly when dealing with complex or unprecedented cases.
It is essential that you hold a professional qualification in town planning, a relevant transferable degree or can demonstrate equivalent experience. You will have proven experience working within planning enforcement, with the confidence and capability to provide guidance and support to officers within the team. You must have a sound understanding of planning legislation and its practical application. We require you to be a confident communicator, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to apply diplomacy and sound judgement when managing challenging situations. Given the nature of the role, strong organisational skills are essential, with the ability to manage your workload effectively and meet deadlines.
You will predominantly be office based; however, site visits/meetings will be required for casework. The nature of the duties of this role will require you to travel therefore, you must have a full, current valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance. We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long‑term difference in work. As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
Senior Planning Enforcement Officer employer: Southglos
At South Gloucestershire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values work-life balance and invests in the professional growth of our staff. As a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, you will enjoy a supportive work culture with access to comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside generous annual leave and employee wellbeing support. Our commitment to diversity ensures that every team member is recognised for their unique contributions, making it a rewarding environment to build your career while enhancing the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Enforcement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the planning enforcement 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 common questions related to planning enforcement. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a networking event or an interview, be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled. Highlight your problem-solving abilities and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Enforcement 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 Senior Planning Enforcement Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on your experience in planning enforcement and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how you've successfully managed cases and supported team members in similar situations.
Communicate Clearly:Since strong communication skills are essential for this role, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Avoid jargon and make your points easy to understand – we appreciate straightforwardness!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southglos
✨Know Your Planning Legislation
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of planning legislation and its practical applications. Being able to discuss specific cases or examples where you've successfully navigated complex planning issues will show that you're not just familiar with the theory, but also how it works in practice.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, you'll be leading a team. Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively managed teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to support and guide others while managing your own caseload.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires strong verbal and written communication skills. Be ready to discuss how you've handled difficult conversations or provided professional advice in previous roles. Practising clear and concise responses can help you convey your points effectively during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to planning enforcement. Think about how you would approach various scenarios, such as dealing with a breach of planning control or managing a complex case. This will demonstrate your sound judgement and decision-making abilities.
