Planning Officer

This is an excellent opportunity for an aspiring planning officer to start their Development Management career, or a current Development Management Officer who is looking for the next step and to deal with more complex planning applications.

You will be required to work to tight deadlines and service level agreements to ensure we offer an efficient and effective service to our customers. Responsible for handling a wide range of planning applications, the successful candidate will offer pre-application advice, process planning applications and appeals, as well as negotiate with developers and other third parties.

For grade SO1/ 2, candidates will need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the town planning system and ability to produce written reports to a high standard and be committed to a career pathway for membership to the Royal Town Planning Institute to become a chartered town planner such as entry onto a RTPI course to become a Planning Assistant.

For grade PO1, candidates will need to be eligible for membership to the RTPI - either through obtaining an RTPI accredited degree (minimum of a level 4 Town Planning Assistant

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/town-planning-assistant-v1-0) or by demonstrating 10 years experience or more of working as a town planner.

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 03 November 2026 (22:59)

Interview and assessment date: TBC

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our "PROUD" values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: [email protected]