Senior Planning Policy Officer - Abingdon, United Kingdom - South Oxfordshire District Council

South Oxfordshire District Council

Verified Company

Abingdon, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Salary and grade:
£43,191 - £48,117 per year, Grade 7 (5.5% salary increase due from April 2023)

Duration of role:
Fixed term maternity contract 12 months

Hours per week: 37

Location:
Hybrid (Home working / Abingdon)

Closing Date: 19 February 2023

Are you a dynamic and enthusiastic town planner with experience in local plan-making? South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are looking for an ambitious senior planning officer committed to place-making and high-quality customer service.

If you are ready for a new challenge with opportunities to develop professionally, this could be the role for you.

The successful applicant for this role will join the councils at an important time to help deliver the work of the planning policy team.

The immediate focus will be to play a part in developing the Joint Local Plan.

You can expect to take responsibility for topics or sections in the plan and evidence base and work with our neighbouring authorities on cross-boundary issues.

We are looking for someone ideally with an interest in the natural environment to lead on ourbiodiversity, landscape, flood risk and water cycle topics of the local plan.

Main duties and responsibilities

Oversee, project manage and assist in the production of documents making up the local plan
Carry out research into a variety of topics as part of the work on the preparation of the local plan and other policy documents
Write briefs, employ consultants and manage contracts for specialist work and projects
Attend project meetings with internal and external stakeholders (including evening meetings when requested)
Prepare draft sections of the local plan and supplementary planning documents and papers and reports on them and other planning policy issues, including consultation documents for officers and Members
Carry out consultations on the local plan and other planning policy documents, including attendance at exhibitions and meetings
Prepare and present evidence supporting the Council's case at the Local Plan Examination
Provide advice on and assistance to town and parish councils preparing or wishing to prepare Neighbourhood Development Plans
Provide professional advice and training on planning policy and development matters to the public, Members and other professionals
Assist in the supervision of the work of junior planning or technical officers
Assist in other aspects of the team's work including input into county and other crossauthority planning arrangements, management of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nature conservation and transportation matters
Assist in monitoring planning policies.

The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

Your essential skills, knowledge and experience
- minimum of 5 years' experience of working in a planning office, including experience of planning policy work
- good IT experience in Windows environment and good keyboard skills
- experience of working within a customer-focused environment dealing with the public
- good, accurate written communication skills
- good oral skills and experience in giving clear, succinct and well argued presentations - formally and informally
- confident working with maps and plans
- ability to interpret policies and law
- an excellent knowledge of Planning Legislation
- an excellent knowledge of Planning Policy
- ability and willingness to take individual responsibility for work and set priorities to meet agreed standards
- ability to work as a team member and contribute to the team
- ability to work corporately
- diplomatic, tactful and able to maintain discretion in difficult circumstances
- able to project manage work and other team members input into it

Your essential qualifications
- a Degree or Diploma in Town Planning, or a related discipline, or equivalent level of experience

Full/licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

If you have the following experience - it's a bonus
- additional education in a related discipline
- experience of supporting a local plan through Examination
- experience of coaching/mentoring or managing staff
- hold a full and current driving licence and have daily use of a car insured for business purposes

Your style and behaviours
- enthusiasm and self motivation
- strong and proven customer service ethos and desire to meet customer expectations
- positive 'can do' attitude and proven use of initiative
- displays accountability and takes responsibility
- achieves results and meets targets
- collaborative and inclusive.

About us

Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.

Our vision
We are seen as being customer-focused, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high-quality cost-effective services.

Our values

We act with integrity and show respect
We are all accountable
We are passionate about our business
We strive for simplicity
We love success

The benefits we offer

A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years.
Flexible working and annualised hours a flexible approach to work that our employees love
Salary pay awards
A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme
A salary sacrifice car lease scheme a fully inclusive driving package for a fixed monthly cost
Various schemes to keep you healthy
We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community

You may have experience of the following: Senior Planning Officer, Senior Planning Policy Officer, Local Authority, Policy, Town Planning, Planner, Project Management, Planning Policy Officer, Town Planner, Legislation, RTPI, etc.

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