Planning Officer (Career Graded)

Graduate planning role supporting development management and planning applications while gaining professional knowledge of the UK planning system and progressing toward an RTPI-accredited qualification.

Role overview

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who has recently graduated (or is due to graduate shortly) from a Town and Country Planning (or other relevant or related) degree and who is looking to begin their career in Planning.

This career graded role provides opportunities for graduates of other (relevant or related) subjects to undertake an RTPI accredited master’s degree. The diverse nature of the role will quickly develop your knowledge and understanding of the wider planning system and provide a solid foundation upon which to base your future career.

Working within the Development Management team (which forms part of Oldham Council’s wider Planning Service) you will act as case officer for small-scale planning (and other) applications with the majority being for domestic extensions. Alongside this, when required, you will support other officers with the associated administration work and assist with the investigation of alleged breaches of planning controls.

Providing a resident focussed service is at the heart of the role.

Key responsibilities

• Act as case officer for small scale planning applications

• Provide timely advice to applicants, agents, councillors, and the public regarding planning issues raised, and ensure website content is accurate

• Support the administration work involved in processing planning applications

• Assist with the investigation of planning enforcement complaints.

Key requirements

To succeed in this role, you will need as a minimum:

• A degree in Town and Country Planning (or a relevant or related subject) or be actively working towards this

• Experience of working effectively as part of a high performing team

• Knowledge of the UK planning system and associated processes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

About us

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

Our values and behaviours

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate.

These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus

• Support local leaders

• Committed to the borough

• Delivery high performance

• Take ownership and drive change

Our benefits package

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service

• The option to purchase additional annual leave.

• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.

• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.

• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.

• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.

• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.

• Staff recognition and celebration events.

• Peer support groups