Senior Planning Officer

**Summary**:
**Enforcement**: To monitor compliance with planning conditions and investigate effectively and efficiently alleged more complex breaches of planning control and to take the appropriate action to resolve those proven breaches.

**Policy**: To lead effectively and efficiently with the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Development Plan and related activities including the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents, other documents associated with the Development Plan system and providing advice on planning policy issues to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders - including elected members, developers and government agencies.

**Accountabilities**

To make a positive contribution to Planning & Regeneration Services, in particular the following:

- To be responsible for and to manage their own work in consultation with the Principal Planning Officer, ensuring that the services provided are delivered effectively and efficiently.
- To contribute to the overall performance of the Section by assisting in the preparation, implementation and review of the Section Delivery Plan to maintain and improve service delivery.
- To actively contribute to the performance targets and outcomes of the Section and to meet personal targets in order to assist the Council in meeting its requirements to deliver the Community and Council Plans.
- To maintain a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of legislation, Planning Policy Guidance, Circulars, Unitary Development Plan policies, Core Strategy policies, Local Development Job Description Framework documents, and Supplementary Planning Guidance necessary for the performance of the Post holder, the team(s) and the Section, and to update knowledge relating to e-planning and on-line services.
- To prepare reports and make recommendations on planning matters to be determined at the relevant Committee (Development Control Committee, Scrutiny Committee and/or Cabinet) and by the Director of Place under delegated powers and to carry out all necessary consultations and statutory publicity requirements in this respect.
- To scrutinise and agree reports which have been prepared for determination under delegated powers to the Strategic Director of Place in relation to planning matters.
- To prepare statements of evidence on planning documents, planning and enforcement appeals and to give evidence on behalf of the Council at examinations in public, court, public inquiries and informal hearings and where necessary act as an expert witness.
- To attend the relevant Committee as necessary and, when required, to be the service representative.
- To represent the Directorate/Authority as necessary at Council Committees, public meetings, community forums and court proceedings, where necessary out of normal hours including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as appropriate.
- To advise the public, developers, statutory bodies, Council departments, Councillors and other interested parties in matters relating to the control and enforcement of development.
- To take the lead role as appropriate in the preparation of policy statements, detailed planning guidance and operational procedures and review as necessary in consultation with the section Manager.
- To take part and as appropriate take the lead role in the review or implementation of operational procedures as necessary in consultation with the Section Manager to continually improve service delivery.
- To act in a supervisory capacity and/or as a mentor to Planning Officers and Assistant Planning Officers as and when required.
- To lead on task and finish activities to ensuring going service and customer improvements as directed.
- To lead on customer engagement and feedback activities as directed.
- To be flexible in approach to the work of the section and to be capable of leading new teams or task specific teams as required. To liaise with colleagues in other services and sections.
- To ensure that the requirements of Directorate, Divisional and Section Codes of practice and procedures, the Council’s Standing Orders, financial regulations and emergency plan are complied with for all work under the post holder’s control.
- To respond to requests for service and to complaints relevant to service area within Planning, liaising with Dudley Council Plus to promote effective customer services for planning.
- To undertake Health and Safety responsibilities as per Directorate/Divisional obligations laid down for Officers.
- To be a specialist and demonstrate expertise and be responsible for a specialist area of work as determined by the Principal Officer/Section Manager, for the benefit of the Section, Division, Directorate and Council.
- To deal appropriately with potentially confrontational situations on site.
- To work outside normal hours.
- To participate in a Performance Development Discussion and undertake a plan of training where necessary. To develop his/her own skills and expertise in a professional