Principal Planning Officer, Ipswich

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils - Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX £42,403 - £49,498 per annum, plus £3,457 Market Forces Supplement, per annum (pro rata for part time) Full Time, 37 hours per week Permanent Full time, part time and job share opportunities will be considered. What we are looking for We are looking for an exceptional Principal Planning Officer to join our Development Management team. To be successful, you will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities. About the role This is a key professional role, supporting the Area Planning Managers, assisting with mentoring a team of area-based planning officers, managing a caseload of major and minor applications and delivering the objectives of the wider development management service. You will be promoting high quality development, supporting growth and regeneration while protecting and conserving the historic character of our districts. About you Educated to degree level, with membership of the RTPI, we are looking for candidates with excellent communication skills, sound and demonstrable experience of negotiation and resolution in dealing with complex planning applications, pre-applications and appeals. Experience either within a public sector development management team and/or a private sector planning consultancy is essential. You should have both a professional and positive approach, proactively demonstrating our values in your working practice, giving confidence to customers, politicians and colleagues and helping to enhance the reputation of the service, in line with the aspirations of the Councils. A full UK driver’s licence is required and this post is eligible for an essential car user allowance. About us Working together across our Councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk. We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two National Landscapes within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK. Benefits Great opportunities for learning and development. Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays). Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme. Wellbeing Support Programme. Employee Assist Programme. Health Care Options. For more information, please visit our Employee Benefits page (suffolkjobsdirect,org). Our ways of working Work is what we do, not where we go! We are committed to working in a more Hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business needs permitting). This has worked well for us and is something we will be continuing with. Attendance at the office is required for regular team meetings, planning committee and mentoring colleagues. We are committed to supporting equality and diversity, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils provide opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible service for our residents. For more information Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf), before applying for this job opportunity. If you wish to discuss the hybrid working approach for this role, or for an informal discussion, please contact Julie Havard, Business Practice Manager, by either calling 01473 296342 or emailing [email protected] Closing date: 5 pm, 1 November 2024. Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct. When applying, please ensure: that you complete the application form as fully as possible with your employment and educational history as shortlisting will be based upon the application form and supporting statement only. your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the Job Description/Person Specification (JDPS). This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.