Assistant Planner

The Role of Assistant Planner

The role of the Planning Department is to guide and shape the future development of County Louth. The Department is committed to realising our vision for a county where people will choose to live, work, visit and invest, both socially and economically for the benefit of the county, region, and the country as a whole.

The Assistant Planner is responsible for working as part of a multi-disciplinary team implementing programmes of work in the Planning Department and for providing a range of planning and related services.

Assistant Planner positions are multi-faceted and may include some or all of the following areas:

• Forward Planning
• Development Management
• Planning Enforcement
• Public Realm/Strategic Projects

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant Planner role and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assessment and making of recommendations on a wide and varied planning application caseload of both urban and rural developments, including Strategic Housing Developments (SHD), as required in line with all relevant national, regional and local plans/policies, and in accordance with the appropriate legislation and guidelines as required.
• Conducting of pre-application consultations and provision of planning advice to members of the public, internal departments and to elected members in an efficient and flexible manner.
• Prepare County Development Plan, Local Area Plans, planning schemes and other planning policy related reports as required.
• Analyse spatial and demographic information to discern trends in population, land-use, employment, etc., to inform policy development.
• Monitoring and reporting on implementation progress, including gathering/analysis of development and market activity.
• Liaising and working with neighbouring planning authorities and other public authorities on all aspects of implementation.
• Preparation of policy and reports as required on a wide variety of planning matters.
• Input to inter-disciplinary projects dealing with land-use, transport, environment, etc.
• Represent the Council at meetings with staff, elected members, community/general interest groups, business and residents, as required.
• Any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

The Ideal Candidate Shall Have

• The ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good planning, operational and project management skills.
• Good communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Good knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire same, of local government functions, services and activities, particularly in relation to planning and development.
• A good working knowledge of planning legislation and the principles, practices and techniques of planning.
• An ability to work under pressure and to think laterally, maintaining a solution orientated mindset while dealing with a wide range of issues.
• Good report writing skills and strong IT skills.
• An ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines.
• Membership of the Irish Planning Institute or Royal Town Planning Institute is desirable.

Post of Assistant Planner

Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Experience, Training

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) Hold an honours degree (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Planning;

and

(b) Have at least two years satisfactory experience of planning work;

and

(c) Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.

4. Driving Licence / Travel

Each candidate must, on the commencement of employment, hold a valid Irish/EU driving licence for Class B vehicles or a licence acceptable to the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) for exchange.

Candidates will have to demonstrate from their application form to the satisfaction of a short-listing board that they possess sufficient skills and experience in the competencies listed below in order to be called for interview.

Competencies

Understanding Purpose & Change

Delivering Results

Performance through People

Personal Effectiveness

Understanding Purpose & Change

• Understands the Council's purpose, goals and priorities.
• Understands the Role of the Elected Council and the Representational Role of the Elected Members.
• Understands and adheres to the Code of Conduct for all employees and complies with all Council rules, regulations and procedures.
• Supports diversity.
• Understands and supports Workplace Partnership.
• Represents the Council positively when dealing with the public or other agencies.
• Creates a positive image of the Council both within the team and through interaction with the public and other stakeholders.
• Co-operates fully in implementing safe systems of work in accordance with the Corporate Safety Statement and relevant Ancillary Safety Statement for their area of work.

Delivering Results

• Deliver results on time and to a high standard.
• Take responsibility for own work and the work of the team.
• Plan and prioritise the work schedule, ensuring the efficient use of all the resources available and delivering on objectives even with multiple or conflicting demands.
• Evaluates the current work practices to identify changes that could be made to help them run more efficiently.
• Follow procedures and ensures they are implemented in own area, understanding the rationale behind them.
• Maintains accurate records and monitors work, ensuring any errors are identified and rectified.

Performance through People

• Motivation and positivity as part of a team.
• Understands effective communications at all levels within the organisation.
• Actively listens to others.
• Demonstrates a high level of verbal and written communication skills.

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Assistant Planner is:

€48,248 - €74,809 (LSI 2) gross per annum

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Location of Post

Louth County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.

Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation.

The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Superannuation

A. Officers joining the Public Service after 1st January 2013

Officers will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

• A Class A rate of PRSI contribution will apply.
• A rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC)).
• This includes a contribution to a Spouse's and Children's Scheme.

OR

B. Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution

• Contribute at a rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC)).
• Contribute at a rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration to the Spouses & Children's Pension Scheme.

OR

C. Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 5th April 1995 and are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution

• Contribute at a rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration.
• If an option to join a dependent scheme was made, contribute at a rate of 1.5% to a Dependents Pension Scheme.

Retirement

Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of and details will be made available to you upon appointment.