Planning Officer - Enforcement

Interested in improving the built environment and protecting our residents? We have a vacancy for a Planning Enforcement Officer within our Planning service.We care deeply about the integrity of the planning system and effective planning enforcement is critical in maintaining public confidence in what we do., Investigate planning enforcement complaints, identifying appropriate courses of action ensuring all relevant legislation is considered and followed Interpret technical / legal information, plans and legislation and make an initial assessment to progress each enquiry based upon the information and evidence received Taking formal action against unauthorised development through the service of relevant notices Prepare and support documents required by our Legal Services to enable them to prosecute enforcement breaches Support and mentor junior members of staff

As part of the role, you will be enforcing all relevant legislation administered by the service under the general director of the Principal Planning Officer. You will need excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate effectively. The job is not all about serving formal notices, many breaches of planning control can be resolved quickly through effective dialogue.

We are a friendly, hard working team and have strong career development plans for our staff., We are looking for a proactive professional who can hit the ground running. Specifically, we need someone with:

Efficiency and Pace: You must be able to follow instructions clearly and work in a quick, decisive manner. We need someone who understands when it is expedient to take enforcement action and can move cases forward without unnecessary delay. You must have proven experience in drafting both delegated and committee reports specifically for enforcement matters. You will be skilled in the accurate drafting of various formal planning notices. You will hold a relevant degree and be eligible for RTPI membership OR possess a recognised qualification in planning enforcement with a track record of handling a varied caseload. Experience or an interest in heritage and listed building matters would be a distinct advantage. Communication: you will be a confident communicator, able to work independently when required and travel efficiently across the city.

Before Applying: Please ensure you have fully read the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This is a specialist professional role that requires technical experience and planning knowledge. To be considered for shortlisting, your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet the minimum essential criteria, particularly regarding planning enforcement experience and the drafting of formal notices/reports.

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in thecity. And that's where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision., Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need., Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a unitary authority employing approximately 4,600 staff who deliver 700 services to more than 260,000 residents. Our city comprises of six towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall. We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. We have undergone significant changes over the last few years. New ways of working have already transformed many service areas and we are determined to continue to develop more innovative approaches to ensure that we can maximise the benefits of transformation.

Our city

Although the 13th largest city in the UK, Stoke-on-Trent is rapidly outstripping a number of parts of the country with our economic growth and recovery.

Stoke-on-Trent is a city with a strong sense of civic pride - we've been voted the kindest city in the UK - and a place where you'll receive a hugely warm welcome. We have a rich and diverse culture, steeped in our prestigious industrial heritage as the celebrated 'world capital of ceramics'. But we don't just want to celebrate our proud past - we firmly believe that Stoke-on-Trent's best years are ahead of it. We are determined to raise aspirations and match them with high-quality education and health provision, as well as improved opportunities to secure fulfilling and well-paid work. Through uniting social and economic opportunities, we are maximising the full power of the city council as a secure and steadfast institution within the city.

A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent Hybrid and flexible working options An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes, When you work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council you'll be helping to improve the lives and wellbeing of our residents. We'll provide you with support, learning opportunities and flexible working options and some amazing benefits including; a competitive salary, generous holidays, an excellent defined local authority benefit pension scheme, annual leave purchase scheme, cycle to work schemes just to name a few. We also have access to lifestyle benefits which offer a wide range of discounts such as family days out, travel, retail and many more.

Our commitment to you

Vibrancy and diversity are two of Stoke-on-Trent's greatest assets. A city founded on creative endeavour should value and celebrate the multitude of voices, ideas and identities that shape its culture. We are committed to creating a culture which is truly inclusive, where all staff feel valued, listened to, supported and able to do their work to the best of their abilities at all times. And we must ensure that our decisions and policies nurture and empower communities across our city and do not inadvertently disadvantage groups and individuals that we want to help to thrive.

Our approach to Equality and Diversity is an invitation to all our communities to work with and for us so we can continue to improve how we deliver services residents need.

Our employee networks are inclusive, open forums for colleagues with similar lived experiences. They allow staff to meet, support and mentor each other, alongside being a voice for under-represented groups to advise and support the organisation when developing policies and services.