Planning Policy Officer - CMB2635e in Carlisle

We’re looking for two skilled and motivated Planning Policy Officers to join our Strategy and Policy team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering Cumberland’s strategic objectives for health, housing, the economy, environment, and infrastructure. Bring your planning career to a place where balance, flexibility and wellbeing truly matter. You’ll enjoy hybrid working, the freedom to shape your week, and a generous annual leave package — with the option to buy even more.

About the role

You’ll provide professional planning advice and expertise across all aspects of the planning policy function, with a particular focus on producing the Cumberland Local Plan and associated planning policy documents. This includes:

• Drafting planning policies, site profiles, and development briefs.
• Preparing evidence base documents, technical assessments, and annual monitoring reports.
• Representing the Council with external partners and responding to consultations.
• Supporting communities developing neighbourhood plans.
• Providing professional planning advice to internal teams, developers, and the public.
• Supporting public consultations for the Local Plan.

About you

• A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Membership of RTPI (or working towards it) is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of planning policy and the local plan process.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects effectively and manage workload.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience or interest in Minerals and Waste planning is desirable.

These roles are available on a fixed-term basis. We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities. We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Chris Hoban by email at chris.hoban@cumberland.gov.uk.

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role:

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under.
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive. If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.