Senior Planner - Public Health

Medway Public Health is looking for a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Planner for Public Health.  We are looking for an individual who has experience of working in either planning policy or development management that wishes to broaden their knowledge and skills with regards to improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward thinking, innovative and inclusive organisation and public health team where you make an impact on residents lives.  You will be part of the wider determinants team, who are well established and passionate about the work they deliver.  They have extensive experience working collaboratively across sectors and organisations to create a common goal and achieve improved health outcomes.

The post holder will work within Public Health with a focus on healthy and sustainable places, with a good understanding of the strategic health needs for planning and development and consideration of impact of growth in Medway. It requires working closely with colleagues in the Planning teams, other council departments and external partners to input into the development and implementation of major policies.

The role will support work where there are opportunities to address the social determinants of health, deliver healthy place making, good design and promote health factors such as physical activity, social connectivity, and healthy lifestyles. The role will be responsible for helping to deliver health and wellbeing outcomes through sustainable development, spatial planning, transport planning and highways-related schemes and policies.   In addition, a significant proportion of this role will include reviewing Health Impact Assessments to ensure health impacts and active environments are considered.

The role will provide public health input into planning consultations, planning applications for developments, land use, housing, transport infrastructure, healthy high streets, and licensing applications (where applicable). The postholder will support the development of policies that maximises the potential of a positive health and wellbeing impact as and when required.

The role is advertised as 30 hours, but other hours will be considered.

If this role appeals to you, please outline on your application your, knowledge, experience and/or skills in the following areas:

• Knowledge of planning legislation and associated regulations and guidance and ability to apply to applications, appeals, policy development and advice.
• Experience of collaborating to create new solutions to complex problems by promoting innovation and the sharing of ideas, practices, resources, leadership and learning. 
• Ability to build and maintain supportive and empathetic relationships, securing people’s support and commitment to a course of action or different way of thinking by presenting ideas convincingly and persuasively, and to lead major negotiations.
• Communicate sometimes complex information and concepts (including health outcomes, inequalities and life expectancy) to a diverse range of audiences using different methods.  
• Demonstrate independent working on planning projects, with evidence of your input on research and analysis, drawing conclusions and presenting recommendations; and project management skills.

If you would like an informal discussion please contact Kate Bell on katherine.bell@medway.gov.uk or Amie Kemp on amie.kemp@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. 

Medway Public Health Team are seeking to appoint a Senior Planner for Health & Wellbeing. You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role.  You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C.   You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. 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. 

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.