Planning Inspector x5 - G7

Job summary

To carry out a full range of appeals and/or other casework through the written representation, hearing, inquiry and examination procedures. Subject to training, this work includes Development Plans, Infrastructure, S78 planning appeals and other major casework plus enforcement. Such work will be delivered in line with timeliness targets and to the required quality standards.

Job description

To conduct and determine appeals and other casework. This could include planning appeals, enforcement appeals, environmental casework (rights of way, common land, high hedges, TPOs etc), the examination of Development Plans, Community Infrastructure Levy schedules, Infrastructure Projects and other casework as required. Training will be provided when necessary, dependent on business needs.

• To identify, understand, analyse, and test relevant facts and evidence (including taking evidence on Oath where relevant) in order to reach well-reasoned and justified decisions and recommendations on planning appeals and other casework.
• To understand and correctly apply relevant legislation, caselaw, policy, guidance, and procedures when carrying out casework.
• To determine the appropriate procedure for public events (i.e. written representations, hearing, inquiry or mixed procedure) having regard to principles of natural justice and to identify in advance the scope of the discussion at that event.
• To independently conduct public events (including multi-day hearings, inquiries, examinations and accompanied site visits) in an efficient, inclusive and authoritative manner using plain language and in accordance with relevant statute, procedural rules and guidance, and in compliance with the Welsh language standards.
• To complete appeal decisions and any other work in line with timeliness targets and to the required quality standards.
• To work alone as an independent decision-maker seeking advice only where necessary.
• To lead, manage and work effectively with Programme Officers and Assistant Inspectors, including when examining Local Plans and Community Infrastructure Levy schedules.
• To manage casework effectively, working with professional and administrative staff, managers and where relevant Programme Officers.
• To provide leadership and management by supporting and mentoring other Inspectors.
• To participate in the recruitment, assessment and selection of new Inspectors.
• To demonstrate integrity, objectivity and impartiality at all times, clearly applying the principles of openness, fairness, and transparency.
• To maintain and develop professional skills and capability by undertaking appropriate training and other development opportunities.
• To act in an advisory capacity to other government divisions, using specialist knowledge, skills, and experience to help develop policy, including on own initiative.
• To help develop the skills and capability of other Inspectors, including through becoming a Subject Lead, preparation of training materials, delivery of training, mentoring, and the quality assurance of reports and decisions.
• To assist in the management of the organisation through the development and improvement of procedures and working practices, including through participation in, and leadership of, projects.
• To carry out administrative functions in accordance with current office guidelines and procedures
• To use IT effectively to conduct casework and manage administrative matters.

Person specification

This is a great opportunity to make an impact by bringing your valuable knowledge, skills and experience to PEDW to help improve planning outcomes in Wales and deliver sustainable development. The post holder will gain from:

• A broad understanding of all areas of PEDW’s planning and environmental casework across Wales
• With training, develop specialist knowledge and skills in all types of planning and environmental casework including major infrastructure consenting and Development Plan Examinations

The Planning Inspector Recruitment Pack provides more information on the role of a Planning Inspector and the development opportunities it provides as well as useful guidance on applying for the role.

Qualifications

See advert

Memberships

Find list under Other Info section

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please see advert for full details

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

• The post of Planning Inspector has an additional recruitment and retention allowance (RRA) of £6,707 (25 / 26) attached to it. This may be paid for trained and experienced individual who demonstrate that they fully meet specific proficiency levels and eligibility requirements (see page 10) in The Planning Inspector Recruitment Pack.
• Eligibility for the RRA will be discussed with successful individuals following completion of the recruitment process, and at the point that an offer of employment is made depending on skills, knowledge and directly relevant experience.
• The RRA is non contractual and does not form part of an individual’s terms and conditions. If an individual should leave the Planning Inspector post and remain with Welsh Government, they do not retain the RRA.
• Planning Inspectors are usually contracted home workers but this can be discussed on appointment for employees seeking an office base.
• The role will require travel around the country to venues and to carry out site visits, hearings and inquiries on a regular basis, including, where necessary, with overnight stays.
• Homeworkers will require a home work station and are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate and suitable IT connectivity to work from home.
• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to Stage 2.
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

Following Stage 1 successful candidates will be invited to undertake a written test on Behaviours 1 & 2 at home within a specified time limit (details will be provided once through to this stage). This will be assessed and only candidates who pass this stage will proceed to Stage 3. Candidates will be sifted based on the written test.

Interviews will be held in person at Cathays Park, Cardiff. At the interview candidates will be invited to give a short verbal presentation to the panel to test Behaviour 2 (details will be provided once through to this stage). The interview will follow immediately afterwards and will consist of both experience and behavioural competency questions to assess your suitability for the post.

List of Relevant Professional Bodies

Your membership must be at a sufficient level to demonstrate that you are an experienced professional, that you are maintaining your skills, knowledge and competence, and that you are regulated by that organisation’s code of conduct. Alternatively, you must fully meet the eligibility criteria for such membership (NB achieving chartered or full membership of a relevant professional body will be a condition of passing probation).

Your application must therefore include the current level and/or status of your membership, and the date it was achieved.

The following list is not exhaustive:

Architects Registration Board

Association of Building Engineers

Bar Council

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

Chartered Institute of Waste Management

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management

Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

Institute of Environmental Sciences

Institute of Highways Engineers

Institute of Highways and Transportation

Institute of Historic Building Conservation

Institute of Civil Engineers

Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology

Institute of Public Rights of Way Officers

Institute of Quarrying

Institution of Structural Engineers

Landscape Institute

Law Society (including Solicitors’ Roll)

Planning Executives Association

Royal Institute of British Architects

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Royal Town Planning Institute

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : PEDW.CPI@gov.wales
• Email : PEDW.CPI@gov.wales

Recruitment team

• Email : SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales