Regeneration and Regulatory Services

Transcription

1 Job Description Date January 2012 Post Title Senior Planning Officer Post No. Grade Scp Section Service Area Responsible To Development Management Regeneration and Regulatory Services Planning Area Team Manager Job Purpose To undertake the role of Senior Planning Officer within the Development Management Section of Development Services. The section (together with the Building Control and Planning Policy sections) deals with statutory duties and requirements under Town and Country Planning and related legislation, together with undertaking statutory requirements under the Building Regulations, and plays a key role in delivering the regeneration of the City. The post holder will be required to deal with complex and controversial applications as well as overseeing the work of junior officers. Key Results Areas 1. To provide day-to-day guidance and supervision to less experienced officers to assist them with their duties. 2. To be responsible for a personal caseload of controversial or major planning and related applications or enforcement cases including negotiation with applicants and stakeholders, site appraisals and the preparation of complex reports and recommendations. 3. To assist the Principal Planning Officers in dealing with major development projects, particularly those subject to nvironmental Impact Assessment or forming part of major regeneration projects. 4. To prepare appeal statements and Statements of Common Ground for more complex appeal cases and to represent the Council at appeal hearings and basic public inquiries, including identifying requirements to employ expert advice and/or appoint barristers and liaising with those parties to develop and present a robust defence of planning decisions made. 5. To prepare proofs of evidence and enforcement case work, associated reports and legal notices, to represent the Council at the Magistrates Court and to oversee that work by less experienced officers as required. 6. To provide pre-application advice for controversial or major planning applications including, where appropriate, recording time spent providing the advice, issuing invoices and collecting payment for that service. 7. To deputise for the Principal Planning Officers as required, including overseeing the work of less experienced officers, checking reports and recommendations, allocating work, validation of planning applications, and investigating and replying to basic complaints made under the Council s complaints policy. 8. To provide Development Management input into the preparation of local area studies, area-wide development frameworks, planning policies and standards, statutory and non-statutory plans, planning projects (formulation and implementation. 9. Deal efficiently and courteously with enquiries from clients and customers, whether by letter, telephone call or personal call.

2 10. Work with, and assist as required, colleagues in the Planning Policy and Building Control sections in the performance of their service function. 11. Take reasonable care of own and others' safety; to co-operate with managers/ supervisors in complying with statutory health & safety duties; to report incidents, accidents, faults etc. Qualifications and xperience Hold a recognised qualification in Town Planning and hold or be eligible for RTPI membership. At least three years' post qualification experience of dealing with complex and/or controversial Development Management issues. Keyboard skills and ability to utilise a PC are essential. Able to demonstrate a good knowledge of the planning system and basic planning legislation, especially that relating to development management. Possession of a current, full, UK driving licence is essential. The post-holder must be able to visit sites (including building sites) throughout the Council's area. Supervisory Responsibilities Post holders will be required to provide day-to-day guidance and supervision to officers on SCP Supervision Received The post holder is directly responsible to the Planning Area Team Manager, who will give day to day supervision, guidance and advice. A post holder who has attained sufficient post-qualification experience will be expected to work under minimum supervision. Principal Contacts Members of the Planning Committee Members of the public Ward Councillors Community Councils Local amenity groups The job requires a close working relationship with all areas of the Council but in particular with staff within the following Service Areas: Streetscene Law and Standards Customer and Information Services xternal bodies with which contact is frequent are: Dwr Cymru Welsh Water The nvironment Agency The Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Drainage Board Glamorgan/Gwent Archaeological Trust Cadw Welsh Government Planning Division The Planning Inspectorate Newport Unlimited Special Conditions Working Outside Normal Office Hours The post holder will be required to work out of normal office hours from time to time, for which the equivalent time off in lieu will be given.

3 Site Visits The post holder will need to attend site visits, meetings and events as required. From time to time, variations in terms and conditions of employment will result from negotiations and collective agreements within the recognised trade unions. This job description sets out the main duties of the post at the date when it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

4 Job Requirement Date January 2012 Post Title Service Area Senior Planning Officer Regeneration and Regulatory Services Requirement ducation / Qualifications / Knowledge ssential () / Desirable (D) How Tested (Application Form / ) (S) = used at Shortlisting 1.1 Hold an RTPI-recognised Degree or Diploma in Town Planning and hold or be eligible for membership of the RTPI. Application Form / (S) 1.2 Demonstrate a good knowledge of the planning system and basic planning legislation, especially that relating to development management xperience 2.1 At least three years' post qualification experience of dealing with complex and/or controversial Development Management issues Application Form / (S) / 2.2 xperience in the use of GIS and other computerised databases D Application Form / 2.3 xperience of dealing with people in a customer service environment D Application Form / Aptitudes and Skills 3.1 Be an effective communicator, able to express views and advice in written and oral forms 3.2 Be computer literate with a commitment to the use GIS and computerised databases 3.3 Have a good telephone manner and interpersonal skills 3.4 An aptitude for and a desire to work with customers 3.5 Able to handle a wide range of documentation and maintain accurate records 3.6 Be able to understand and ensure compliance with policies, procedures and statutory regulations 3.7 Able to defend the Council's decisions at appeal with firmness and tact 3.8 An awareness of and sensitivity to the political aspects of Local Government and the ability to

5 maintain impartiality; able to maintain political relationships in order to maintain trust and integrity. Personal Attributes 4.1 Willingness to learn and develop new skills 4.2 Positive attitude 4.3 Disposition to work with colleagues as a member of a team 4.4 Ability to work under minimum supervision. 4.5 Able to cope with working to deadlines within a high profile service 4.6 Good interpersonal and negotiation skills Circumstances 5.1 Able to assist other team members on day to day development management issues 5.2 Hold a current, full, UK driving licence Application Form / (S) 5.3 Able to undertake site visits and attend meetings Application Form / 5.4 Be available to work flexibly in respect of the requirements of development management service generally and assist as required members of the Planning Policy and Building Control sections in the performance of their service function. qual Opportunities 6.1 Understand and demonstrate a willingness to promote positively the qual Opportunities Policy of Newport City Council.