WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION. Job Ref: Section: Location:

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1 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Service: Reports To: Grade: Senior /Principal Planning Officer Planning, Regulation & Enforcement Development Control Team Leader SPO Grade 8 plus Market Supplement PPO Grade 9 plus Market Supplement Job Ref: 4326 Section: Location: Development Control Shute End Salary: Grade 8: 30,011-33,661 Plus Market Supplement to scp 45 ( 38,042) Grade 9: 34,549-38,961 Plus Market Supplement to scp 50 ( 42,509) Employment Status: Permanent/Fixed Term(state start & end date)/temporary/ Casual Hours of Work: Full Time - 37hours per week (or) Part Time - X hours per week Permanent Full Time - 37hours per week Service Purpose: To provide the full range of development control and enforcement services appropriate to a unitary authority under the Town & Country Planning Acts. Job Purpose: To assist in provision of an efficient and effective enforcement and development control service. The contents of this main purpose are not exhaustive and the post holder could be requested to undertake additional duties that are in keeping with the nature of this post.

2 Organisation Chart: (Show the structure at least two levels above and (if applicable) two levels below) Head of Development Management Development ManagementTeam Career Graded Planning Assistant, Planning Officer Career Grade Senior and Principal Planning Officers Planning Officer - Enforcement Officers Scope (State not applicable where necessary) Financial Accountabilities Budgets directly controlled (please state if this has been delegated to the post-holder) Budgets monitored on day-to-day basis: Staff Responsibilities Number of employees managed/supervised: Number of FTE (Full Time Equivalents) employees managed/supervised: Health and Safety responsibility: In accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 etc, take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work; and co-operate with the Council to enable the Council to perform or comply with its duties under statutory health and safety provisions. Management of Physical Assets Nature of physical assets directly controlled, (e.g. children s home): Details of service contracts managed: none none None Personal responsibility None None

3 Summary of Main Contacts. INTERNAL: other Council sections have input into the determination of planning applications, including Planning Policy, the Conservation & Historic Building Officer, Trees & Landscape, Building Control, Highways, Rights of Way, Environmental Health, Education, Amenities & Leisure, Social Services, Legal, Property; Public Relations and Chief Executive & staff; consultant Archaeologist and Ecologist; in order to obtain their expertise and take their views into account; this may involve discussions and assessment of the degree that the input can be taken into account in determining planning applications EXTERNAL: discussing applications and giving pre-application advice to applicants and their agents up to and including Director level, public (usually neighbours), local residents groups, amenity societies, Parish/Town and District Councillors, neighbouring Councils, Environment Agency, English Heritage, Planning Inspectorate, DCLG (including the Government Office of the South-east), DEFRA; in order to obtain their expertise and take their views into account; this may involve discussions and assessment of the degree that the input can be taken into account in determining planning applications. Main Tasks/Accountabilities List up to ten key tasks or main accountabilities. Begin each task with an action verb. This is not intended to be an exhaustive or definitive list, you may be required to carry out other duties as required Examining and evaluating all applications or consultations etc., including negotiating Section 106 agreements. Making recommendations on those planning applications including preparing reports and making presentations to committee. In association with the enforcement or investigatory officers, evaluating suspected breaches of control, assessing expediency, making recommendations for appropriate action and preparing associated reports. Negotiating with developers, agents and applicants on planning applications including pre-application advice and post-decision work including assessment and determination of submissions pursuant to conditions. Preparing and giving professional evidence on planning and enforcement appeals, including hearings and public inquiries. Providing advice to customers in person, by telephone and letter within the Council s target response times, includes participating in the Duty Officer rota. Approx % of working time spent %

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION Grade 8 Please ensure that you read the person specification carefully as this will be used to assess candidates as part of the shortlist and interview process. Knowledge/Qualifications: (including professional body qualifications, NVQs etc and Training ) What does the postholder need to know in order to be able to carry out the role to the level required. Excellent-expert knowledge of planning, legislation and system Substantial experience of planning. Membership of Royal Town Planning Institute Management training or qualification Technical Skills: e.g.: IT, Presentation Demonstrable ability to interpret and assess complex plans Highly developed persuasion and negotiating skills to resolve complex issues Highly developed organisational skills with analytical systematic approach Highly developed written and presentational skills, including writing well constructed reports including those with significant complexity Ability to understand written and verbal information including those with significant complexity Meeting deadlines and capable of producing work of a high quality on a consistent basis under pressure. Undertake an assessment of all planning applications, including major developments and complex schemes, according to policies, guidelines and impact on neighbouring properties, locality, district and wider area, including the non-site specific and economic consequences of development Undertake work independently using judgement as to when to seek assistance from the Team Leader; only finished application reports would be supervised other work including appeal evidence would not normally be supervised as to content. Evaluate and consider range of options available when dealing with cases and select most appropriate. Use expertise to resolve all cases including those involving high levels of complexity and requiring imaginative solutions, with limited supervision. Undertake a wide range of project work as required. IT skills including Word, Outlook, Planweb and Powerpoint. Experience: type and extent. e.g. some experience of arranging meetings, extensive experience of statistical analysis. Be specific and do not specify length of experience. Excellent knowledge of planning legislation, policy and guidance as applicable to the Development Control and Enforcement system. Experience of dealing with the public and organisations in an efficient, prompt, friendly and helpful manner and ability to explain complex proposals, including in difficult and confrontational situations.

5 Special Factors: e.g. Ability to travel to a variety of locations in borough, work special hours, attend evening meetings, hazardous conditions etc Full driving licence with car available for use when required Ability to carry out unaccompanied site visits, including to building sites, land with irregular characteristics and other potential hazards, and remote sites, in all weather conditions Requirement to attend evening meetings (committees and other public meetings).

6 Core Behaviours Personal Effectiveness Impact Resilience Joined Up Thinking Analysis & Judgment Interpersonal Customer & Community Focus Respect BEHAVIOUR PROFILE Grade 8 Degree Required Acts Acts Acts Behaviour Statement decision making & makes decisions, uses initiative & is accountable for decisions Remains focused on detail, follows work/issues through; delivers what they have committed to, whilst considering their impact on others Accept and adapts to both significant and day to day change; seeks to identify the benefits & opportunities created by change; maintains effective performance under pressure & ambiguity. Demonstrates an awareness of how to operate within the formal & informal organisational structures; acts in accordance with WBCs values. Gathers information & facilitates sound, logical conclusion from that information; able to get that information needed without the direction of manager, can articulate rationale for decisions. Shares information; seeks to appreciate the role of other colleague/customer role & issues; facilitates issue resolutions & does not ignore minor issues that could lead to conflict Ensures Customer Service standards are consistently met Acts with dignity, respect & with integrity towards everyone; acts as a positive role model; flexible in approach when dealing with colleagues & customers.

7 PERSON SPECIFICATION Grade 9 Please ensure that you read the person specification carefully as this will be used to assess candidates as part of the shortlist and interview process. Knowledge/Qualifications: (including professional body qualifications, NVQs etc and Training ) What does the postholder need to know in order to be able to carry out the role to the level required. Excellent-expert knowledge of planning, legislation and system Substantial experience of planning. Membership of Royal Town Planning Institute Management training or qualification Technical Skills: e.g.: IT, Presentation Demonstrable ability to interpret and assess complex plans Highly developed persuasion and negotiating skills to resolve complex issues Highly developed organisational skills with analytical systematic approach Highly developed written and presentational skills, including writing well constructed reports including those with significant complexity Ability to understand written and verbal information including those with significant complexity Meeting deadlines and capable of producing work of a high quality on a consistent basis under pressure. Undertake an assessment of all planning applications, including major developments and complex schemes, according to policies, guidelines and impact on neighbouring properties, locality, district and wider area, including the non-site specific and economic consequences of development Undertake work independently using judgement as to when to seek assistance from the Team Leader; only finished application reports would be supervised other work including appeal evidence would not normally be supervised as to content. Evaluate and consider range of options available when dealing with cases and select most appropriate. Use expertise to resolve all cases including those involving high levels of complexity and requiring imaginative solutions, with limited supervision. Undertake a wide range of project work as required. IT skills including Word, Outlook, Planweb and Powerpoint.

8 Experience: type and extent. e.g. some experience of arranging meetings, extensive experience of statistical analysis. Be specific and do not specify length of experience. Expert knowledge of planning legislation, policy and guidance as applicable to the Development Control and Enforcement system. Experience of dealing with the public and organisations in an efficient, prompt, friendly and helpful manner and ability to explain complex proposals, including in difficult and confrontational situations. Self starters who anticipate the need to brief their managers rather than be supervised directly. Will demonstrate managerial competencies. Competent strategic thinkers who are capable of regularly contributing to service development Special Factors: e.g. Ability to travel to a variety of locations in borough, work special hours, attend evening meetings, hazardous conditions etc Full driving licence with car available for use when required Ability to carry out unaccompanied site visits, including to building sites, land with irregular characteristics and other potential hazards, and remote sites, in all weather conditions Requirement to attend evening meetings (committees and other public meetings).

9 BEHAVIOUR PROFILE Grade 9 Core Behaviours Personal Effectiveness Impact Resilience Joined Up Thinking Analysis & Judgment Interpersonal Customer & Community Focus Respect Degree Required Influences Influences Influences Influences Acts Behaviour Statement Has the ability to influence, & shows sustained drive & determination, plans work effectively for self & others is appropriate Effectively manages their own emotions & stress, takes others views into account; actively listens to others views & concerns and responds appropriately Optimistic about change; facilitates the progress of change; analyses the impact of change on their own job & work area; remains positive & future oriented Develops appropriate networks to facilitate effective working; takes account of WBCs climate & culture; able to think beyond immediate role; appreciates the political framework WBC operates within Analyses a broad range of in-depth information from a variety of internal & external sources regarding our customers, demographics, political & economic developments & technological innovations to influence decisions; complies with implementation of WBC Risk Management Strategy Recognises the needs of others; takes account of another s point of view; encourages loyalty from others; provides a reassuring presence Ensures Customer Service standards are consistently met Acts with dignity, respect & with integrity towards everyone; acts as a positive role model; flexible in approach when dealing with colleagues & customers.