Assistant Planning Officer

The Assistant Planning Officer Post offers an opportunity for existing planners, recent graduates, or soon to be graduates, from either a planning (or a related

• ) degree or from a Planning Masters course, who wish to gain experience early on in their career in an effective Local Planning Authority that is committed to supporting officers' Professional Development.
Dudley is considered the historic capital of the Black Country. An area with a rich heritage, located near many towns and cities, as well as green spaces, making it the perfect place to work and live. Dudley is currently undergoing a period of growth, which will continue with the extension of the Midland Metro, the new Dudley Interchange and the completion of Health Innovation Dudley providing a new higher education facility within the borough. The Council has been successful in securing funding (including heritage and Local Regeneration Funds) to support a number of regeneration and public realm projects across the borough's towns. Alongside this, the emerging Local Plan is in the final stages of examination and work is commencing on the development of the West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy. The position offers an ideal career opportunity to gain valuable experience working in an urban authority. More specifically: Working within the planning policy team, you will play an important role in the preparation of the Local Plan and other policy documents, including research, policy formulation and participation in consultation events and independent examinations. The team is currently working on the Dudley Local Plan which is in the latter stages of the examination process. Changes in planning policy also present fantastic opportunities to work on strategies for growth at both the local and regional level. You will also be involved in the preparation of supplementary plans masterplans and development briefs You should also have a full UK driving licence, please state this in your application.
• A related degree could be, but is not exclusive to Geography, Environmental Sciences, and Built Environment etc., We operate an agile working environment and offer flexible working time with the ability to accrue flexi-time leave.
• Leave entitlement of 28 days, rising by 4 further days after 5 years continuous service.
• Season tickets for car parking facilities are provided along with mileage allowance.
• The service offers a supportive environment with the ability to experience a wide variety of work streams and application types within an experienced and diverse team. Continued professional development is a strong part of the planning policy team's ethos and is actively encouraged.
  
  Top tip when applying - As we've got a new recruitment system the application process has changed a little and we hope you'll like it!
You'll first need to register and create a profile the first time you apply. Creating your profile will enable you do things such as track your application progress, view emails you've received from us and manage communication preferences, manage your interview bookings and offer information if successful. About Dudley Council It's an incredibly exciting time to work in Dudley Council as we embark on numerous multi-million pound regeneration schemes which will be real game-changers for the borough. In addition to the exciting schemes such as the Midland Metro we also have the ongoing and very serious challenges of ensuring vulnerable people across the borough receive the services they deserve. At Dudley Council we have a 'one council' ethos that builds an effective and dynamic organisation which grows the economy and creates jobs, creating a cleaner and greener place and supports stronger and safer communities. We are rightly proud to be the historic capital of the Black Country and, working with our partners, Dudley Council is also committed to looking forward and helping to deliver our borough vision of 'Forge a Future for all' www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk We ensure communities influence council decisions and are committed to delivering services in partnership with communities. We provide flexible and responsive service in partnership and help communities help themselves. In joining a local authority that serves 320,000 residents you will become an integral part of a council that:
• is ready to embrace change, providing an environment in which you will be encouraged to make your mark
• is aware of its key challenges and the need for a new energy to innovate the council, in order to find cost effective ways of delivering services
• has aligned its political and managerial leadership structures and is committed to protecting, securing and transforming the lives of children, families, the vulnerable and older people
• wants borough residents to have their say through our community forums
• dedicates time to meaningful consultation and listen to the views of our residents
• is working with the community to encourage active involvement of our residents