Operations Officer Plans Examination Service

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 422655

**Salary**:

- £28,927 - £31,132
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- PINS - Operations

**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery
Planning

**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 2

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- Bristol, South West England, BS1 6PN

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:

- The Executive Officer (EO) in the Local Plans Team provides essential administrative and operational support to Planning Inspectors during the examination of Local Plans. These plans guide future development in local areas, including housing, infrastructure, and environmental policies. The EO role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, policy-driven environment. We are a small but growing team, and it will be essential that you are able to support your fellow team members at all grades.

**Job description**:
Throughout the day, you’ll liaise with colleagues across the organisation, respond to queries, and ensure that statistical records are accurate and up to date. Flexibility, attention to detail, and a proactive approach are key to managing the diverse tasks that come your way.

**Salary**

**Working hours**:
Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available

Part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

**Office Attendance**

**Person specification**:
**Essential Criteria**
- A high standard of written and oral skills
- Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office Applications.
- The ability to work under pressure, to set timescales and to be adaptable and open to change
- Experience in team working

**Desirable Criteria**
- A background in case processing
- Experience of plans examination casework procedures
- Experience of appropriately dealing with complex and sensitive enquiries and correspondence

**Behaviours**:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

- Managing a Quality Service
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together

**Benefits**:

- Alongside your salary of £28,927, Planning Inspectorate contributes £8,380 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
- Generous family friendly policies.
- Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

**Things you need to know**:
**Selection process details**:

- This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

**Application**
- ** A Personal Statement (750 words max)**: The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert and connect your answers to the essential criteria and experience elements we're looking for.

**Interview**

If you are shortlisted, you will:

- Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
- Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength, experience questions

**Other Information**

**Shortlist Date: w/c 01 September 2025**

**Interview Date: w/c 15 September 2025**

Interviews will be held virtually.

**Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment**

Artificial intelligence and recruitment

**Reserve list**

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

**ID and Documents**

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

**Visa Sponsorship**

**Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments**

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.