Planning Officer

Job Title: Planning OfficerLocation: AntrimDuration: 12 months temporary position pending reviewHours: Full Time. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.Salary: £19.35 per hour.On behalf of our client, we are seeking a Planning Officer who will provide a high quality, efficient and effective Planning Service in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area. The post holder will provide support to the Senior Planning Officer in meeting all statutory requirements and ensuring effective performance management in the area of work assigned, whilst supporting training and development for staff within the team to meet the needs of the business and all customers in accordance with best practice standards and other performance indicators.Duties include:
* Support the Senior Planning Officer in the management and motivation of team members, deputising when required, to ensure effective performance against the objectives and targets set out in the Planning Section Business Plan.
* Contribute to the delivery of objectives, performance indicators and work programmes for the annual Planning Section Business Plan (including Development Management, Enforcement and/or Forward Plan) and wider service level business and management initiatives in line with the objectives of the Council's Corporate Plan and best practice
* Provide professional advice, assistance and training, as appropriate on planning policy, development management or enforcement matters to team members, residents, elected members, stakeholders and other planning professionals.
* Prepare committee reports, technical papers, research evidence and other information and make presentations at Planning Committee, public meetings and to external organisations as required (including evening meetings as required) as and when required.
* Prepare written statements and present professional planning evidence at appeals, public inquiries/examinations and court hearings as required.
* Undertake research, monitoring, surveys and site inspections/meetings at various locations across the Borough and respond to consultations ensuring that the Council's views are expressed effectively.
* Support the Senior Planning Officer in providing day to day supervision of and giving direction to Planning Assistants and any technical support staff in accordance with the principles of performance management ensuring the timely delivery of a high quality professional service.
* Plan and allocate work to Planning Assistants and any technical support staff and provide support to the team to ensure the delivery of integrated, comprehensive planning functions across the service.
* Support the Senior Planning Officer in checking reports and other work undertaken by Planning Assistants and provide professional advice at internal group meetings and at other meetings as required.
* Deal effectively and efficiently with enquiries from the public, elected representatives and internal and external stakeholders through face to face meetings, by correspondence, telephone and electronic communication.
* Support the Senior Planning Officer in the development of briefs, commissioning of consultants and management of contracts for specialist work or projects as required.
* Undertake and be accountable for key tasks as allocated by the Senior Planning Officer, to include the provision of advice on planning matters and the researching and drafting of policy and advice documents.
* Carry out consultations on planning related issues and attend launches, exhibitions, workshops and external meetings as required (including evening meetings as required).
* Support the representation of the Planning Section at meetings and working parties within and outside the Council as required (including evening meetings as required).
* Utilise the Council's IT systems, GIS and software to research, organise, evaluate and communicate information effectively.
* To be available from time to time to carry out duties outside of normal office hours and in addition to basic contracted hours. Such additional hours will be remunerated in line with Council's approved policies at the time.You will need:
* Degree in a recognised planning qualification* or equivalent and 2 years' relevant experience OR HNC/HND/BTEC Higher National Certificate in Planning, Surveying and Cartography or BTEC Higher National Certificate in Land Administration (Planning) or equivalent qualification and 3 years' relevant experience.
* Awareness of issues facing Local Government with respect to Planning
* Knowledge of relevant Northern Ireland Planning Policy and Legislation.
* Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows applications
* Full driving licence and access to a car on appointment.
* Other desired criteria:
* Effective communication / interpersonal skills working across a range of sectors.
* Ability to work as part of a team while also being able to use your own initiative.
* Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.If you would like to be considered for this role or find out more, please email me your CV now by clicking on the link and I will be in touch. All details are treated in the strictest confidence.If this role isn't quite right for you but you would like to look for a new opportunity, please get in contact with us.Applicants must ensure their CV is accurate and up to date. The CV should include your full employment history inclusive of dates, all academic achievements and full personal contact details.Apple Recruitment Services is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. Apple Recruitment Services is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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