This is an exciting time to work for Braintree. The District will grow significantly in the coming
decades, and we are looking to embrace this challenge to deliver well-designed new homes,
jobs and the infrastructure required to support this growth, whilst being careful to preserve its
character and quality. We’ve got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are
driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our District. Public service is more
important than ever, and this role represents an opportunity to make a very real difference to
our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of
the everything we do.
About the Role
This role will be pivotal within the team, and you will be responsible for a diverse caseload of
planning enforcement cases, including all the related case management and customer
liaison.
You will be carrying out site inspections, offering advice, and resolving breaches of planning
control through the most appropriate action. This will include, where necessary, the drafting
of reports and formal notices, collecting evidence in a prescribed manner, the preparation of
case files for legal/appeal proceedings and giving evidence at Court or during the appeal
process. You will also take on the more complex cases, holding developers to account for
any wrongdoing whilst assisting with mentoring junior Officers in the team and covering for
the Planning Enforcement Manager on occasion.
What we’re looking for
As a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, you will be responsible for investigating and
resolving breaches of planning control for complex cases. This will draw on your experience
and knowledge of planning legislation along with your proven ability to interpret plans,
compose comprehensive reports and handle demanding and sensitive situations. You will
have strong interpersonal, persuasion and negotiation skills with experience of bringing
contraventions to a resolution in a fair and proportionate manner.
Demonstrable experience within a Local Planning Authority environment is essential. We
therefore welcome applications from experienced Planning Officers looking for a change of
direction as well as experienced Planning Enforcement Officers looking to take a step up to
a more senior role within a busy and innovative team.
Working on your own initiative and using your knowledge and experience, you’ll manage
your own caseload, ensuring compliance is achieved by taking formal action where
necessary in the shape of serving notices, deal with appeals and represent the Council as a
witness at appeals and prosecutions in Courts. You will have gained experience of working
on a range of planning matters and, ideally, you will have a working knowledge of CPIA,
PACE and RIPA rules.
The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, excellent verbal and written
communication, and customer service skills, as well as the necessary motivation to deliver
high performance whilst working to tight deadlines.
Your expertise, skills and experience will be valued with us and your career development
within the field will be supported. We are committed to creating a collaborative and
innovative environment with allows you to thrive, we have had many officers who have
progressed their careers through a supported study programme.
You will become part of a friendly, supportive team with the chance to make a real difference
to the shaping of our district. You’ll also play a key part in helping us achieve our aims and
assist in driving forward our vision for the area. We offer flexible working arrangements, with
a balance of home and office working.
It is fundamental to the role that you have a full UK driving licence and access to a
vehicle for work purposes. Regrettably, applicants without a full driving licence and/or
access to a vehicle cannot be considered.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic, ambitious, and friendly team.
If you feel that you have the experience to meet the requirements of this role and would like
an informal discussion, please contact Darren Tuff, Planning Enforcement Manager on
01376 312359.
For more information about this role and to apply online please click here: Senior Planning
Enforcement Officer
The closing date for this Senior Planning Enforcement Officer opportunity is Sunday 26 th
October.
Why choose Braintree District Council?
Braintree is an ambitious and dynamic Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing
Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and
the District located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport
and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for
delivering and a strong reputation within the business community.
Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and
innovative approach, which is led by our employees, and are committed to having an
engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our
people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and
encourages positive change in the local community.
We also offer some great benefits, including:
- Flexible working
- Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
- Local government pension scheme
- Learning and development for all employees
- Employee discounts at local businesses
- Employee recognition schemes
- Extensive health and wellbeing programmes, including discounted gym membership
