Assistant Planner

QUALIFICATIONS

CHARACTER

Candidates shall be of good character.

HEALTH

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

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

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

• Hold a qualification in Planning (at least Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications).
• Have at least two years of satisfactory relevant experience of planning work.
• Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.

CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or
• A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and who has a Stamp 4 visa; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA Member State, the UK, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

PERSON PROFILEDUTIES

The duties of the post are to give the local authority and:

(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the City and County Management Acts, is Chief Executive; and

(b) Any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a),

under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive, or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such planning or ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory or executive nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, including the duty of assisting the Director of Service, or other appropriate professional employee, in the supervision of the planning or ancillary services of any of the foregoing local authorities or bodies and, when required to do so, to perform the duty of acting for the appropriate professional employee of higher rank during the absence of such employee.

The ideal candidate should have a very good technical knowledge base and experience of planning policy and practices, including the following non-exhaustive list of duties:

• Ability to engage with a wide and varied planning application caseload.
• Assess and make recommendations on planning applications in line with all relevant national, regional and local plans and policies and in accordance with appropriate legislation and guidelines.
• Conduct pre-application consultations and provide planning advice to members of the public, internal departments and elected members.
• Undertake site visits related to planning applications, condition compliance, planning enforcement, derelict sites, vacant sites, etc., as required.
• Provide reports on enforcement cases, derelict sites and vacant sites, as required.
• Prepare Development Plans, Local Area Plans and other planning policy reports and studies.
• Analyse spatial and demographic information to identify trends in population, land use, employment, etc., to inform policy development.
• Develop and implement measures to promote regeneration.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary projects dealing with land use, transport, environment, etc.
• Represent the Council at meetings with staff, elected members, community and general interest groups, businesses and residents, as required.
• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Undertake any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Candidates must also:

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned.
• Be suitable on the grounds of character.
• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed.
• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post include the following, and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these.

Please take particular note of these when completing the application form, as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates.

Management and Change

Strategic Ability

• Displays the ability to think and act strategically.
• Can translate strategy into operational plans and outputs.
• Evaluates capacity and performance against objectives.
• Demonstrates innovation and creativity to secure successful strategic outcomes.

Political Awareness

• Has a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the organisation.

Networking and Representing

• Develops and maintains positive and beneficial relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Builds networks of technical and professional contacts.
• Promotes and sustains an appropriate, positive and cohesive image for the organisation it represents.

Bringing About Change

• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.
• Develops and initiates change management programmes to meet end objectives.
• Influences others and fosters commitment to change.

Delivering Results

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Can pinpoint critical information and address issues logically.
• Understands the context and impact of decisions made.
• Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions.

Operational Planning

• Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operations.
• Delegates, tracks and monitors activity.
• Establishes high-quality service and customer care standards.

Managing Resources

• Manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to ensure they are used effectively to deliver operational plans.
• Drives and promotes cost reduction and minimisation of waste.

Delivering Quality Outcomes

• Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in delivering services.
• Organises the delivery of services to meet or exceed the required standard.
• Evaluates outcomes achieved, identifies learning and implements required improvements.

Performance Through People

Leading and Motivating

• Motivates others individually and in teams to deliver high-quality work and customer-focused outcomes.
• Develops the competence of team members and helps them reach their full potential.
• Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility and a strong customer service ethos.

Managing Performance

• Effectively manages performance, including underperformance or conflict.
• Empowers and encourages people to deliver their part of the operational plan.

Communicating Effectively

• Recognises the value of communicating effectively with all employees.
• Actively listens to others.
• Has highly effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Presents ideas clearly and effectively to individuals and groups.

Personal Effectiveness

Relevant Knowledge

• Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and best practice in their area of responsibility.
• Demonstrates the required specialist knowledge, understanding and training for the role.
• Has strong knowledge and understanding of statutory obligations under Health and Safety legislation and its application in the workplace.

Resilience and Personal Well-Being

• Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence.
• Remains calm under pressure and operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace.

Integrity

• Behaves in an honest, trustworthy and respectful manner and is transparent, fair and consistent in dealing with others.

Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement

• Is enthusiastic about the role and sets challenging goals to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Is self-motivated and persistent when faced with difficulties.
• Engages in regular critical reflection in order to identify how own performance can be improved.

CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE