About Us:

Would you like to be a part of The London Borough of Hounslow, whose diverse workforce are committed to making a positive difference for our residents and visitors by ensuring the quality of our services are maintained to a high standard?

Hounslow Council is an outstanding council serving an outstanding borough. With brilliant, visionary leadership, a dynamic Cabinet and a can-do culture, we’ve built strong partnerships across the borough which have transformed how we serve one of London’s most diverse boroughs.  Hounslow is the world in one place, full of potential, but a borough hit hard -socially and economically -by Covid-19. We have stepped up for our residents and businesses like never before.

About The Role:

Level 4 - 6 years fixed term contract

Level 7 – 3 years fixed term contract

As part of Hounslow Council’s efforts to help nurture the public planners of the future, we are offering a fantastic opportunity for four candidates to join our Planning and Buildings Directorate as Town Planning Apprentices. 

This is an exciting time to join Hounslow’s Planning and Buildings Directorate, with work progressing on an combined new Local Plan, that will help provide the framework for development and growth in the Borough for the next 15 years; new design guidance and design codes in production that will ensure high quality sustainable development; pioneering work on the use of technology to enhance how we engage people in planning and significant developments coming through the planning process for thousands of new homes and jobs.

The four successful Town Planning Apprenticeship candidates will participate in Hounslow’s Apprenticeship Programme working in a supported learning environment where they will have the opportunity to develop professional skills, knowledge, behaviours and work experience in all areas of planning, including development management, planning enforcement, spatial planning and infrastructure planning. The successful candidates will also engage with and be involved with the wider functions of the Planning and Buildings Directorate including building control, design and conservation.  

The Town Planning Apprentices will study for a RTPI Chartered Town Planner qualification with London South Bank University at either undergraduate or postgraduate level depending on existing qualifications.

The Town Planning Apprentices will gain experience in developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and planners across London.

Key Responsibilities: 

1.    You will undertake work delivering town planning services including: development management; spatial planning (including planning policy, data and monitoring); infrastructure planning (including CIL and S106 collection and allocation); planning enforcement and other planning projects.  

2.    You will contribute to decisions and recommendations relating to development management, spatial planning, infrastructure planning, planning enforcement and other planning projects.  

3.    You will provide clear and accurate basic advice on the statutory planning process. 

4.    You will proactively seek opportunities to learn about different aspects of planning as part of your apprenticeship.

Your Skills:

1.    You will be prepared to work in different teams within the Planning and Buildings Directorate in order to develop a broad experience of the different aspects of town planning.

2.    You will be interested in the work of local government and how a political organisation works.

3.    You will be a good communicator; verbally, in written form and through use of graphics, images, diagrams and maps.

4.    You will be interested in Hounslow as a place, prepared to undertake site visits and engage with a broad range of stakeholders including members of the public, elected representatives, developers and their agents.

Professional Qualifications:

For apprentices undertaking a post graduate qualification in town planning:

1.    An undergraduate degree and/or eligibility to study town planning at post graduate degree level.

2.    Desirable: Any of A level equivalent Geography; Art and Design; English Literature; Economics; Sociology; Mathematics; Science; Design Technology.

3.    Demonstrable core skills in numeracy and literacy, English and Maths at GCSE level or equivalent.

For apprentices undertaking an undergraduate degree in town planning:

1.    Qualifications that provide eligibility to study town planning at undergraduate degree level.

2.    Desirable: Any of A level equivalent Geography; Art and Design; English Literature; Economics; Sociology; Mathematics; Science; Design Technology.

3.    Demonstrable core skills in numeracy and literacy, English and Maths at GCSE level or equivalent.

We value diversity in its broadest sense. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves, give of their best and reach their full potential.  We believe that a diverse workforce helps us to better understand our communities and deliver the best services for our residents. We want to receive applications from all regardless of age, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background. We want to harness the mix and ensure that everybody can apply and be part of our recruitment processes. We will therefore make reasonable adjustments to accommodate our candidates. 

For more information please contact  Vincent.Lacovara@hounslow.gov.uk.

Interviews will be held on 19th and 20th June.