
Planning Enforcement Officer
Location – Launchpad, Airport Business Park, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1YH
Discipline – Development Control Enforcement
Rochford District Council is working in partnership with Essex Shared Services to support the recruitment of the role of Planning Enforcement Officer, a full-time position offering hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Office attendance will be in line with the needs of the Council and the Planning Enforcement team.
The role is within the Council’s Development Management and Enforcement team, which is part of the Place directorate. You will be a motivated and proactive individual who will take responsibility for ensuring high standards, working within a small team. The team use their full range of skills in an effective and innovative way to secure improvements for residents across its administrative area. You will possess strong persuasion, negotiation and communication skills and will be adept at advising customers on how to achieve compliance and ensure that assessments of harm and expediency are conducted appropriately.
As a Planning Enforcement Officer, you will help to protect the character and quality of the Rochford district. You will investigate alleged breaches of planning control, work with residents, businesses and developers to achieve compliance and take enforcement action where necessary. This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and forward-thinking planning service and make a real difference to local communities through effective and proportionate planning enforcement.
The postholder will develop the range of skills, knowledge and in some instances, qualifications, required to undertake the role. The team will, at all times, ensure a professional, inclusive and helpful approach to our customers. You will be able to demonstrate ability to handle diverse and competing workloads, be self-motivated and take initiative.
Key experience and skills required:
- Educated to degree level
- Good IT literacy
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong organisation skills and time management
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Flexible and adaptable
- Great interpersonal skills
- Lone working experience
You will work in collaboration with other services and senior management to ensure that services are joined up appropriately and are aligned to the achievement of the Council’s aims and objectives. Our Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028 sets out our vision and priorities and will be reviewed regularly to make sure we are on the right track.
Rochford is a picturesque green belt area with a mix of town and country feel, set within a vast rural landscape and hosting historic places. The District consists of commercial, urban, rural, Green Belt and now Grey Belt providing an opportunity for a vast range of breaches of Planning Control. Our main towns/villages are Rochford, Rayleigh, Great Wakering, Hullbridge, Hockely, Stambridge. The district is served by Greater Anglia trains with stations in Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford, great for commuting.
The office is based at the Launchpad, Airport Business Park, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1YH close to Southend Airport and Rochford. There is a selection of shops at the airport business park, a pub and a larger superstore supermarket just down the road offerings shopping and lunch spaces.
Rochford District Council plays a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the district, working for the good of the community and the long-term benefit of residents, and you can be part of our friendly team. From front line customer facing roles to policy and strategy, the work of the Council is diverse and dynamic.
In addition to a competitive salary, you will be entitled to a range of benefits, including:
- The Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Generous holiday entitlement.
- Flexible and agile working.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Free parking.
- Support for further relevant study and short courses (relevant to the role)
Rochford District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, culture and experience. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex, disability or marital status. Rochford District Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people.
We will be pleased to discuss the role with you in more detail. For more information on this role or if you have any questions, please email talent.masuku@rochford.gov.uk Alternatively, you can contact by phone: Talent Masuku, Team Leader Planning Enforcement 01702 318042
Applicants must have a clean driving licence which is valid in the UK and use of an insured, taxed and MOT’d vehicle or frequent access to transport to access urban and rural locations, sometimes at one days’ notice for priority visits.
Salary range
- £32,061 - £36,363 per year

















