Planning Officer

Job DescriptionAbout us:At Hillingdon we’re proud of our commitment of ‘Putting our residents first’, ensuring they’re at the heart of everything we do! We want to attract talented individuals like yourself who share our aspirations for the borough and who can support us to deliver exceptional services for Hillingdon.With an ambitious strategy we pride ourselves on delivering services that improve the lives of all our residents, businesses, and partners. Embarking on a journey of continuous improvement, we’ve set an agenda to ensure the provision of; safer communities, a thriving local economy, a greener more sustainable environment, whilst increasing our digital capabilities.Working at London’s second largest borough can be tough, particularly with government reforms, budget restrictions, and political attention – but it’s enough to keep us busy and ensures no two days are the same!The role:This fantastic opportunity to join a high performing and friendly Development Management team as a Planning Officer, has arisen due to internal promotion within the team.As a Planning Officer at Hillingdon, you will be responsible for managing your own case-load of planning and related applications, making a vital contribution to a Planning Service which processes over 4000 planning submissions every year. You will be dealing with a varied mix of applications, which will include householder applications, certificates of lawfulness, listed building consent applications, prior approvals through to complex minor applications.In addition to the above, post holders will be required to process and case manage complex residential and commercial pre-application enquiries, prepare professional appeal statements and act as the Council’s lead witness in informal hearings where required.About You:Candidates should have a Diploma or Degree in a Town & Country Planning RTPI accredited course at graduate or post graduate level and be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or working towards membership of the RTPI.Candidates will be expected to have prior experience working as a planner / planning assistant, ideally within a Local Government setting, and they must have a sound knowledge of current planning related legislation.As an essential part of a high performing Development Management team, your focus will be on results. You will need excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write reports clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences.Candidates must have proven customer service skills, in addition to excellent ICT skills and the ability to learn and use service specific software.A full driving licence is also an essential requirement for this role.What we offerWe value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:Work Life BalanceFlexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour work week for all full time staff.Generous Holiday Entitlement – You will receive a minimum of 26 days annual leave each year, in addition to bank holidays. This entitlement increases to a maximum 37 days after 10 years of service.Health & WellbeingHillingdon Sport Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.Cycle Purchase Scheme – Promote eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme.Discount on Golf Fees – Enjoy up to 30% discounts on green fees at council owned golf courses.Financial Benefits – Secure your future with access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.Eye Care – We contribute towards eye tests and lenses for Display Screen Equipment.Mental Health Support – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues.Support and Counselling Services – Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.Commute with EaseTravel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.Equity, Diversity and Equality StatementAt the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences of all individuals, and we believe that our workforce should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities. We recognise the value of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups.Join us in building a workplace where diversity is not only embraced but also celebrated, and where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our organisation's success.
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