Customer Services Assistant

Job Category : Admin & Clerical Location : Greenbank Offices, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Hours Per Week : 16.00 Start Date : Immediate Start Start Time : 09:00 End Time : 17:00 Salary: £13.01 Main Purpose of Post/Job Summary To provide professional and technical advice, guidance and recommendations, and to carry out all the functions associated with the delivery of the Council’s responsibilities and statutory functions in respect of Planning. Duties and Responsibilities 1. Validation and processing of planning applications under supervision of a senior officer.  2. Undertaking site visits, participating in site meetings, writing up reports of visits, formulating professional opinions.  3. Assisting with the preparation of material for planning appeals and public inquiries. 4. Monitoring planning decisions and investigating suspected cases of unauthorised development, interviewing parties, taking statements, inspecting, surveying and photographing sites, writing up reports, representing the Council in the service of enforcement notices and acting as a witness at court and enforcement appeals.  5. Assisting with the preparation of development plans, enhancement strategies and regeneration proposals for conservation areas, town centres and other selected settlements.  6. Assisting with research into and preparation of reports relating to policy formulation and development control.  7. Managing technical support staff (if any).  8. Dealing with enquires from the public, by telephone, correspondence and face to face.  9. Operating the Council’s IT Systems including Geographical Information System (GIS). Carry out duties in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Order 1978 (as amended); Acts of Parliament; Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; and all Council Policies and Procedures including Dignity at Work, Health and Safety, Attendance and all relevant Codes of Conduct. Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and promote the positive reputation of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Lead by example by behaving at all times in accordance with the Council’s values and promote same within the organisation and externally. Undertake all aspects of work respecting confidentiality and ensure that personal and/or sensitive information under the control or access of the postholder is used, stored and maintained in accordance with relevant data protection legislation. Contribute to Corporate, Departmental and Regional working groups as required. Actively participate in employee relations matters including undertaking investigations and chairing hearings relating to employment matters as required (e.g. discipline, grievance & harassment) and make decisions regarding appropriate outcomes with support from HR and in compliance with the relevant legislation. Participate in the Council’s Recruitment and Selection processes as a panel member, including assisting the panel with development of person specification, identifying selection methods and adhering to advice given regarding current employment legislation and codes of practice. When required, assist in the execution of the Council’s Emergency and Business Continuity Plans. Promote diversity across the organisation and in the Department by adhering to the Council’s Equal Opportunity policies and procedures and avoiding all forms of discrimination both as an employer and a service provider. The list of duties / responsibilities must not be considered comprehensive nor exhaustive. They are simply a summary of the main duties / responsibilities that the post holder will be required to undertake. No Job Description can cover every issue that may arise within the post at various times and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this Job Description.