Planning Enforcement Officer (Career Graded)

Are you passionate about making a positive and lasting difference to the places where people live? Want to ensure that everyone plays by the same rules and hold developers to account? If so, join our Planning Team and make a real difference! No prior experience is necessary – we provide comprehensive training. 

This is  an exciting opportunity to work as a Planning Enforcement Officer (Level 1) within a dynamic and enthusiastic team. Together we are responsible for managing the use and development of land and buildings across a largely urban area surrounded by countryside and Green Belt. A central part of this is ensuring that planning rules are enforced and this is where you come in. 

You will investigate complaints where people and developers have not followed the rules. This will involve site visits, gathering evidence and engaging with a wide range of people. You will also ensure national housebuilders are doing what they’ve committed to provide (e.g. ensuring that open space and highway improvements are provided and that financial contributions for schools and other infrastructure have been paid). You’ll then work with the team to decide what action to take which can include negotiations, serving of formal notices and the potential removal of unauthorised buildings. 

No previous planning enforcement experience is necessary as full training will be given. This will include shadowing and mentoring by an experienced Planning Enforcement Officer and Planning Manager together with regular 1-to-1 meetings, full support in a friendly team and an appraisal of formal training needs.  

We are looking for someone who is positive and enthusiastic with good skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, problem solving and communication. You will be able to deal with emotive situations and have a creative and solution focused approach to resolving issues.  

Applicants should have experience in dealing with the public in a service environment, have experience of using computer packages and organising their own work. You must be able to write clearly, concisely and accurately and have achieved qualifications equivalent to Level 2 (GCSE grades 4-9 or A*-C) on the National Skills framework in English and Maths. 

For an informal discussion or further information about the role, please email Claire Hill, Planning Manager at claire.hill@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk.