Assistant Urban Designer

Assistant Urban Design Officer role focused on urban design, sustainable development, masterplanning, design codes, planning policy and supporting high-quality place-making.

Our team  

The Council’s Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work. The Environment & Design workstream comprises a multidisciplinary team of specialist disciplines, who support the council’s role in place-shaping by working across the whole planning function.  The specialisms include archaeology, ecology, landscape, historic environment, and urban design.  

Role summary

The Assistant Urban Design Officer will help to influence the delivery of high quality and sustainable design of buildings, spaces and landscapes across the County to deliver the Council’s place-shaping agenda.  

You will assist in the provision of specialist urban design advice and have a supporting role in helping to shape the preparation of the council’s Local Plan and other plans and strategies as well as providing advice and supporting the quality of development proposals.  

You will also assist the Principal Urban Designer and Environment Design Manager in the preparation of masterplans, design codes and design guidance to support the council’s proactive role in facilitating quality place-making – including taking into account the council ambitions to tackle climate change and creating a healthier North Yorkshire.    

Duties and responsibilities

• Assisting in a range of urban design related projects, from the earliest planning stages through to completion. 

• Support and assist in the preparation, implementation, and review of statutory development plans by providing research  to support the formulation of policies and assessing the impact of site allocations. 

• Assist in updating design codes, masterplans and design guidance and other advisory material for agents, developers, property owners, and the general public. 

• Assisting in the organisation of workshops, training and design review undertaken by the NYC Design Hub

• Encourage and support high standards of design in new development.  

• Assist in the preparation of evidence for public examinations and local inquiries in so far as it relates to design to support the Principal Urban Designer and Environment and Design Manager 

• Respond to pre-application enquiries, planning applications and enforcement cases where a proposal will have significant impact. 

• Assist with the preparation of design/development briefs and provide design advice in respect of Council owned assets. 

• Advise on mitigation associated with new development. 

• Assist in the provision of design related training and briefings to develop in service capacity; equipping others to become more self-reliant when considering the impact of development and opportunities to negotiate better outcomes. 

• Assist in the preparation of illustrative and written material including urban design frameworks, 3D modelling, briefs, reports, and other relevant documentation to support high-quality sustainable development. 

• Provide design advice and support to other groups, organisations, and individuals in line with the Council’s commercial agenda. 

• Interpret data to assist  decision making. 

• Communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. 

• Work collaboratively and show self-motivation  using own initiative to ensure that expectations are met for the benefit of the Council, our customers and our colleagues.     

• This post would suit a recent graduate/ postgraduate seeking their first work experience post qualification.

• Knowledge of urban design, including relevant legislation and guidance.

• Knowledge of the town and country planning system (both plan making and development management)

• Good written and oral communication skills using a variety of methods which can be tailored to a broad range of stakeholders and customers, including presentation techniques and report writing 

• Developing effective relationships to deliver Service projects and priorities.   

Experience / Qualifications:

• Degree and relevant professional qualification in urban design or similar.

• The post would suit a recent graduate/ postgraduate seeking their first work experience post qualification.

• Knowledge of urban design, including relevant legislation and guidance.

• Knowledge of the town and country planning system (both plan making and development management)

• Good written and oral communication skills using a variety of methods which can be tailored to a broad range of stakeholders and customers, including presentation techniques and report writing 

• Developing effective relationships to deliver Service projects and priorities.   

What can we offer you?

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially and make life a bit easier.

These include:

• a local government pension scheme with a generous employer contribution

• salary sacrifice schemes

• employee discount benefits including shopping, supermarkets, gym discounts and more!

• travel loans

• Health Assured – confidential help and support for your wellbeing