Technical Assistant - DM Planning

The planning team are seeking a Technical Assistant – DM Planning to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

You will be require to support the work of the Planning Service by providing technical, administrative and professional assistance that contributes to a range of development management, planning policy, and project and research activities. Assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of the Planning information systems and processes, including consultation representations, spreadsheets and contact databases.

Provide a customer service in dealing with enquiries and maintaining up-to-date information on the Planning pages on the Council’s website. To effectively and efficiently deal with a small caseload of minor planning and other applications and to provide support to case officers in the appeal process. Liaise with stakeholders in a way that promotes the vision and values of the Council.

Accountabilities and outcomes:

• Maintain and develop information management systems, records and processes for the team, to provide accurate and accessible information to underpin the team’s work.

• Undertake research work including web searches, collation of statistics, and planning history searches to respond to internal and external queries, applications and appeals and contribute to the team’s projects to provide good customer service and help deliver the team’s work programme.

• Carry out technical tasks, such as data analysis and basic mapping, to provide support to team colleagues to deliver an effective service.

• Assist in the planning and coordination of the team’s engagement work, including statutory consultation programmes, liaising with a range of stakeholders, including developers and statutory consultees, to help secure meaningful engagement in a variety of planning work covering development management, planning policy and specialist team projects.

• Deal with a case load of planning applications of a minor nature such as householder and LDC applications and provide support to DM case officer at appeal, particularly in relation to informal hearings and public inquiries.

• To support the maintenance of the Planning pages on the Council’s website to provide clear and up to date information to internal services and external interests.

• Demonstrate commitment to professional development and enhancing technical knowledge, so that application of skills contributes to delivering the team’s work programme.

At the discretion of the Head of Service, such other activities as may from time to time be agreed consistent with the nature of the job described above.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Dave Harris on dave.harris@medway.gov.uk.

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:
Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.