Planning Officer - Planning Applications and Mineral & Waste Planning Policy

Role Responsibility

This opportunity is ideal for those wishing to develop their career in the planning profession within a County Planning Authority, which has a focus on mineral and waste development matters and the County Council’s own community development.  

You will be able to split your time between the Mineral and Waste Local Plan making function and the Planning Applications Group.  You will assist in a range of tasks associated with the development and review of the Mineral and Waste Local Plan (MWLP). The role will include carrying out planning policy research, analysis and evaluation and you will contribute to the preparation of material for stakeholders in the planning making and review process. This may include producing material for surveys, reports, presentations and preparing consultation responses, including using geographic information system mapping. You will process and determine some of our less complex planning applications, submissions, and enquiries for community development and for mineral working and waste management activity.

In the role you will need excellent written, oral and presentation skills and be able to converse at ease with a wide range of internal and external customers engaged in matters related to planning, development, and infrastructure. You will visit sites in Kent where the physical environment may present challenges such as uneven ground surfaces in a range of weather conditions, including at construction, quarry, landfill, and waste sites.

The role will allow you to develop your expertise and knowledge in planning and to work towards Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute. We can offer hybrid working with opportunities to work flexibly from the administrative office base, and by agreement from other remote working locations.  We can offer a variety of working patterns. Work that works for you and us – let’s talk flexibility!

Driving is intrinsic to much of the work and therefore a full UK Driving Licence is required - The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

The post is considered by KCC to be in a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

You will need to demonstrate in your application that you have a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject and explain your interest in planning, development, environmental matters and in local government. You will need to demonstrate that you have an understanding of current and emerging planning issues. You will also need to demonstrate experience in working in a multi-disciplinary environment and in fostering appropriate working relationships and your ability to work both independently and as part of a team and to plan, prioritise and organise a diverse workload. Please refer to the job description/person specification as this will be used to shortlist applications.

Contact Details

For further information please contact Sharon Thompson, Head of Planning Applications Group 03000 413468 Sharon.Thompson@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.