Assistant Planner

The Role

An Assistant Planner works within the planning section in Roscommon County Council. The section works broadly to deliver the planning functions of: Forward Planning, Development Management and Enforcement (including taking in charge of housing developments). An Assistant Planner may also be required to input into multi-disciplinary project teams on occasion, under the direction and line management of senior personnel. Local Authorities also play a key role in supporting economic development and enterprise promotion at a local level.

The Assistant Planner will from time to time be required to deputise for Executive Planners or more senior personnel and must be willing to take on this challenge. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and shall demonstrate good technical knowledge and experience of planning policy and practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Character:

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health:

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

3. Education, Training, Experience, Etc.

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

Candidates shall:

(a) hold a qualification in Planning (at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications);

(b) have at least two years’ satisfactory relevant experience of planning work;

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

Desirable Skills & Experience

The ideal Candidate for the position shall have:

• An ability to demonstrate competence in the following areas – identifying problems and contributing to solutions, communicating effectively and delivering quality work and services

• An ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

• Good planning, operation and project management skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Good knowledge of local government functions, services and activities particularly in relation to planning and development

• Good working knowledge of planning legislation and the principles, practices and techniques of planning

• An ability to work under pressure and maintain a solution-oriented mindset in dealing with a wide range of issues

• Good report writing and IT skills (including GIS skills)

• An ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timeframes and deadlines

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Council.

Duties/Responsibilities

The actual duties of the post of Assistant Planner will depend on placement of the post, but in general they will include but are not limited to:

• Handling a wide and varied planning application caseload of both urban and rural developments as required

• Assessing and making recommendations on planning applications, Declarations of Exempted Development, Protected Structure Declarations, Certifications of Exemption, etc., in line with all relevant national, regional and local plans and policies and in accordance with appropriate legislation and guidelines

• Conducting pre-application consultations and providing planning advice to members of the public, internal departments and elected members

• Undertaking site visits related to planning applications, condition compliance, planning enforcement, and survey work related to Forward Planning activity, including Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) as required

• Providing reports on and progressing enforcement cases as required

• Preparing Development Plans, Local Area Plans and other planning policy reports and studies

• Analysing spatial and demographic information to discern trends in population, land-use, employment etc., to inform policy development

• Developing and implementing measures to promote regeneration of the county

• Inputting to inter-disciplinary projects dealing with land-use, transport, environment etc.

• Representing the Council at meetings with staff, elected members, community/general interest groups, businesses and residents as required

• Building and maintaining co-operative working relationships

• Maintaining and proactively developing a culture of Health and Safety in the workplace

• Engaging in Continuing Professional Development/Training

• Incorporating the use of IT and efficiencies into work practices

• Preparing for and attending staff meetings

• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required or assigned from time to time

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

General

The post is whole time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill both permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation;

(b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period;

(c) such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that their service is satisfactory.

Salary

€47,270 - €73,335 per annum.

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular EL 01/23.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their post or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

Garda Vetting/Child Safeguarding

Successful candidates may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures and will be required to complete Appendix V of the County Council’s Child Protection Policy.

Health

Successful candidates must undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the local authority. Expenses will be refunded on taking up the appointment.

Residence

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district. Changes in location will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed must provide their own transport to and from work.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum (inclusive of days pre-allocated for Christmas). The leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December.

Working Hours

Normal hours of work are 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter working hours from time to time.

Superannuation

Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at the time an offer of appointment is made.

Recruitment

Selection will be by competition conducted by or on behalf of Roscommon County Council. The selection process may include:

• Online Aptitude Testing

• Short-listing

• Preliminary interview (may include a presentation)

• Competitive interview (may include a presentation)

• Work sample/role play/media exercise or other relevant tests

Roscommon County Council may conduct any part of the process by remote/video-call. Panels may be formed and candidates placed on a panel who meet the qualifications and suitability requirements may be appointed.