Assistant Planning Officer

Directorate : Housing, Regeneration and Operations

Section : Planning and Building Control

Location : Civic Centre

Grade : Level 7

Hours : 37 hours per week

This advert is open to internal and external applicants only.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that's whereyou come in.We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

Further information on the Council and our directorates

The Role

Looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your career in Planning? Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Planning Officer to join our Development Management Team.

As an Assistant Planning Officer, you will play a key role in assessing planning applications, undertaking site visits, preparing reports and providing advice to customers, applicants and elected Members. You will manage a varied caseload of householder and minor applications and contribute to shaping sustainable development across the city.

The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of planning principles, good communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a busy and rewarding environment. Experience within a planning or development management setting would be advantageous. This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive team and contribute to the delivery of high-quality planning services that make a real difference to local communities.

For more information on the role, please contact Abid Hussain

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and determine householder and minor planning applications in accordance with planning legislation and policy
• Undertake site visits and liaise with applicants, consultees and other stakeholders
• Prepare clear and accurate reports and recommendations to support decision making
• Provide professional planning advice and guidance to customers, colleagues and elected Members
• Manage an allocated caseload effectively to meet statutory timescales and service standards

About You

• Relevant planning qualification or working towards or equivalent experience in a planning related environment
• Sound understanding of UK planning system and development management processes
• Able to interpret planning policies and guidance and apply them to planning proposals
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here

Pre-Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of address

Satisfactory references

Occupational Health Clearance

Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations

DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

The Council will not accept any speculative CVs from employment agencies.

No agency terms and conditions accompanying any such CVs will be accepted by the Council.

Any unsolicited information sent by an employment agency will be treated as the property of the Council.

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

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