Principal Planner - AR

Planner - Career Grade Grade D - J (Progression dependant on meeting criteria of the Career Grade Scheme)

Role purpose The Council is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for its communities. To do this the Council needs employees who thrive in an agile and networked organisation and who can support continuous improvement within a constructive organisational culture. You will work with relevant officers both within the service, and across the Council and our partners, on a range of professional activities and projects, in line with service priorities and the Council's Corporate Plan.

The purpose of this role is to support the operational needs and delivery outcomes of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure team, which includes the functions of Development Management, Planning Enforcement and Spatial Planning. The role can include all aspects of development management and spatial planning work including planning applications; appeals; enforcement; area based planning strategies; planning briefs; project work; the preparation and monitoring of the Local Development Framework, supplementary planning guidance and other policies; and helping the public take part in planning and support initiatives such as co design.

The role reports directly to an assigned Lead Officer.

Key activities Customer

• Working closely with colleagues in the Contact Centre and other services, deliver excellent levels of customer services for the benefits of local communities and the reputation of the Council.
• Support and facilitate senior officers as they seek to respond to complaints from members of the public, residents groups, the Local Government Ombudsman and Councillors arising from the post holder's casework.

Performance

• Works with manager to agree performance objectives
• Plans and prioritises own work to meet deadlines
• Contributes ideas to support the development and then fulfilment of team service plan

Partners

• Builds strong internal and external working partnerships to enable the service to be delivered in an outcome focused and efficient way.
• Supports Kingston's commitment to community cohesion and valuing diversity and social inclusion.

Core Competencies

• Self management and employing self awareness, self confidence, self control, self knowledge, personal reflection, resilience and determination to work positively with customers, stakeholders, Councillors and colleagues. Demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Core Competency Framework.
• For Principal Planner role As a manager within the service the postholder will also have to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Management Competency Framework.

Digital/New Ways of Working

• Supports the use of new technologies, particularly Google, to enable modern working practices to thrive.

Equality and Diversity

• Embeds equity, equality, fairness and diversity into all aspects of their work.

General The requirements of this post could include attending meetings and other events outside normal hours as expected with a post of this nature and the postholder will need to manage their work life balance flexibly to meet the needs of the role. To develop, update and act on own personal development plan, and be ready to share learning with others. To work in accordance with RBK's Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, relevant policies and legislation. Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be required from time to time.

Professional activities This Role Profile is generic to multiple posts within the planning team to reflect the need for staff to be flexible and work across planning disciplines, as may be required, to ensure the necessary outcomes can be achieved. For senior roles it may be necessary for staff to specialise their professional knowledge around one element of planning (i.e. Development Management or Planning Policy). This is reflected in the Career Grade Structure.

Development Management

• To process applications for planning permission and listed building applications, and applications for consent to display advertisements.
• To undertake all necessary consultations, site visits, appraisal of proposals and negotiations with applicants and objectors on planning and other applications.
• To prepare reports on planning and other applications.
• To undertake investigation of complaints about alleged planning contraventions.
• To prepare statements for Written Representation Appeals (Planning and Enforcement) and to assist or undertake the preparation and presentation of evidence at Public Inquiries and Hearings.

Projects

• To contribute to the development of area based strategies, planning and urban design site briefs and other Supplementary Planning Documents and to engaging the public in their production.
• To help process significant applications for planning permission and assist in the preparation and presentation of evidence.
• To prepare committee reports and other papers and assist in their presentation.
• To assist in other planning and development projects and research and analysis as required.

Planning Policy

• To assist with the preparation of the Local Plan and other planning policy documents dealing with specific areas, topics or Neighbourhoods.
• Contribute to topic papers, planning briefs and other material required as part of corporate policy development.
• To contribute to the necessary programme of survey, analysis, and policy generation associated with the preparation of planning policies.
• To assist with public participation exercises.
• To contribute to monitoring of the development of the Borough and Neighbourhoods and prepare related statistics.
• To give advice on the policy implications of planning applications.

Planning Enforcement

• To prepare written evidence in respect of planning and enforcement appeals and other related matters and to present evidence at public inquiries, informal hearings and court hearings as required.
• To monitor breaches of planning control, planning obligations and agreements, and planning conditions.
• To investigate reported breaches of planning control, including changes of land use, gypsy incursions, works to protect trees, works to listed buildings, and breaches of advertising regulations having regard to agreed priorities.
• To obtain evidence and prepare statements for prosecutions, mindful of the provisions of relevant areas of law.
• To respond to complainants, lawyers, agents, Councillors and land owners regarding apparent breaches of planning control.

Our Values Innovative

• Promote a culture that encourages creativity.
• Embrace new ideas and ways of working.
• Ambitious to push the boundaries to realise potential.

Open

• Respect and recognition - everyone has a voice that is heard and we are all valued.
• Collaborative - working together with new and existing partners.
• Empowering staff and residents to encourage informed decision making.
• Inspire trust by acting with integrity in all we do.

Smart

• Commercial acumen to find solutions and best value.
• Agile working.
• Customer driven, listening and responding to consistently deliver excellence.

Career Grade Progression Scheme for Planners Introduction

• The appointment of less qualified and/or experienced individuals within a scale designed to allow staff to develop within the planning profession.
• Rewarding staff who gain further experience and qualifications.
• Fast tracking high calibre staff into senior level positions.
• Maintaining motivation and aiding staff retention.
• Enabling staff to gain a broad range of professional experience.
• Allowing for flexibility in resource planning.

Appointment and progression through the scheme will depend on:

• An individual meeting the criteria as set out below, as determined through the performance appraisal process.
• An appropriately banded post being available within the team.

Grade D E - Assistant Planner (Development Management / Policy / Enforcement)

• Minimum requirement: A good standard of secondary education and/or experience that allows for entry to an appropriate RTPI accredited qualification and a strong interest in a professional planning career.
• Criteria to be met before progressing to the next grade: Achieves performance objectives; Displays a commitment to own personal development and learning; Delivers a high standard of service to customers and colleagues; Demonstrates a positive attitude and approach to work; Acquires a sound understanding of the application of relevant planning guidance and legislation; Contributes to a mix of policy, project and development management related work; Provides accurate, objective and balanced advice on planning matters proportionate with their experience; Commences a relevant planning related professional qualification.

Grade F G - Planner (Development Management / Policy / Enforcement)

• Minimum requirement: A strong commitment to a professional planning career (with the achievement of a town planning qualification being desirable), and has met the criteria for progressing from Grade E.
• Criteria to be met before progressing to the next grade: Achieves performance objectives; Delivers a high standard of service to customers and colleagues; Demonstrates a positive attitude and approach to work; Contributes to a mix of policy . click apply for full job details