Planning Enforcement Officer

Job Introduction
**The Role**

Planning Enforcement is an essential service which underpins the credibility, transparency and integrity of the planning decision making system. Northumberland County Council has plenty of Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and has a mixture of commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural uses, Northumberland provides a challenging but always interesting mix of Planning Enforcement Issues. The role of the team is to deal with Planning enforcement issues resulting from breaches of planning control.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a small team of enforcement officers. A positive attitude, excellent team and communication skills, combined with a good knowledge of planning enforcement are vital - slotting in and hitting the ground running is a priority. The post holder will co-ordinate and carry out, in consultation with the Planning Officers and Legal Services, the enforcement of the Council’s planning regulations. The Planning Enforcement Officer will form part of a busy area-based enforcement team who will support the Principal Enforcement Officer in ensuring the effective delivery of the enforcement processes.

The post holder will deal with a case load of varied enforcement complaints, which will include lone working on site and carrying out full investigations into alleged breaches of planning control.

**Requirements of the Job**

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who will play a part in all the planning enforcement functions of the team. You will play an important role in ensuring the service effectively engages with its customers, including the general public, communities, applicants, stakeholders and the development industry in the planning service.
- You will need to have excellent communication skills.
- Have knowledge of relevant legislation relating to Planning Enforcement under the Town and Country Planning Act.
- Be confident in your ability to deal with difficult situations and to convey complex, detailed information.
- You will need to manage your own workload to meet targets, working in the office and on site.
- Be able to assist in the preparation and delivery of formal and informal reports to all levels of management, including recommendations for appropriate action.
- Good customer service skills, an ability to read plans and a demonstrable knowledge of planning legislation and processes are essential.
- Good record-keeping, communication and negotiation skills, and an ability to work to tight timescales are all prerequisites of the role.
- The LPA value office presence and the opportunity to see you in person regularly but this is not compulsory every day.
- The post holder must have a valid UK driving licence and access to a car for carrying out site visits.
- Previous enforcement experience is preferred.
- Being a member of the National Association of Planning Enforcement (NAPE) would be desirable.

**Why choose us?**

Northumberland is world-renowned as a visitor destination and an ideal location to strike a perfect work/life balance. There is no better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than on an everyday basis

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a great place to live, in which you can access the activities you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive”.

For further information about NCC, please visit our website.

We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:

- Full time, permanent contract
- Salary Band 6, £29,269 - £32,076
- 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexi scheme - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
- Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, home working, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hour
- Car leasing scheme

**Further information