Planning Development

Compliance Level 2 Salary: £39,355 - £46,601

Guildford Borough is a regional centre for leisure, business, education, retail and culture. Guildford is a thriving market town that has maintained much of its historic character and is a principal shopping destination with a vibrant night-time economy. The town’s location provides excellent transport links as well as providing the balance of being surrounded by beautiful countryside, including the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Beauty. All of these factors contribute to a quality of life that makes it one of the best places to live in the UK. 

We want to appoint two enthusiastic and committed officers to join our skilled Planning Enforcement Team in the Planning Development Service. The team investigates and enforces planning regulations to ensure a high quality built and natural environment in Guildford.

What’s in it for you?

We are a diverse organisation, delivering a wide range of services and employing people with a broad range of skills. We want to attract the best staff, so we offer excellent benefits, including: a competitive salary; flexible working arrangements; an essential car user allowance; private medical insurance and free staff parking. We also provide health and wellbeing initiatives, an employee assistance programme and staff discounts off a range of well-known high street shops and supermarkets.

In this role you would:

• Investigate allegations of breaches of planning control, including conducting site inspections;
• Liaise with members of the public and stakeholders about planning enforcement complaints;
• Draft reports and notices, as is required, on planning enforcement investigations;
• Represent the Council on enforcement related appeals, including written representation appeals at informal hearings and public inquiries;
• Represent the Council in court proceedings relating to planning enforcement cases.

To succeed in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

Compliance Officer Level 2:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in dealing with people;
• Proven ability to give sound advice and guidance
• Excellent ability to reason, process information, be curious, ask questions and analyse potential outcomes to make timely and effective decisions;
• The ability to work independently and as part of a high performing team;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Tenacity and a problem-solving mindset;
• The ability to adapt to change and use initiative; and
• The ability to devise, learn and adapt to new systems and processes.
• Good working knowledge and practical experience of planning enforcement
• Good working knowledge of legislation and development in planning law.
• Proven ability to give sound advice and guidance on planning enforcement matters;

Qualifications

Compliance Officer Level 2: Educated to A’ level standard/NVQ 3 and/or experience in working in specialist area. Degree in a relevant subject (desirable).