Applications for this job are now closed
As a Grade 8 Planning Officer starting out in your planning career, you will have the opportunity to develop your career in a beautiful and iconic area which has: an outstanding historic environment including thousands of listed buildings, national landscape designations, and England’s only natural World Heritage Site – the Jurassic Coast. Dorset is also a place of growth and innovation with a population of 380,000 and an economy worth around £8.1 billion.
We have a friendly and supportive work environment where you’ll have the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive. You will be provided with the technology to work between our offices, home or other suitable locations to enable a healthy work-life balance and to support your wellbeing. We can offer a range of training opportunities including the potential to undertake a masters degree through the Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship route. The Council offers a range of employee benefits including a local government pension, flexible working, a generous holiday allowance as well as an in-house learning hub and development opportunities that include apprenticeships.
If you are looking for a new and exciting challenge to develop your Planning career, then Dorset offers everything you need.
Protect it. Shape it. Enjoy it. Be part of Dorset!
What you can expect to be doing
We are a bold and ambitious planning service taking Dorset into the future. Dealing with over 5000 planning applications a year – with everything from urban extensions, retail schemes and renewable energy projects to small scale agricultural and householder projects working for Dorset Council’s planning service really does have something for everyone.
As a Grade 8 Planning Officer you would be part of the Fast-track Team team in the northern area of Dorset covering towns such as Dorchester, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum, and Gillingham, dealing with a caseload of applications including:
- applications for householder development,
- smaller scale minor development,
- permitted development enquiries,
- prior approval applications.
You will work with developers, communities, colleagues within the Council and external bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency to bring forward appropriate new development.
Preparing reports and recommendations for applications, you would have the opportunity to develop a range of Development Management experience. The role is ideal for someone looking to start their career in planning in a supportive team environment.
About you
You will ideally hold a degree-level qualification in town planning (or related subject). Relevant transferable skills will also be considered. You’ll have an ability to communicate and collaborate proactively with communities, developers and colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for Dorset. We can offer a range of training opportunities including the potential to undertake a masters degree through the Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship route.
Additional information
This post has a significant travel requirement and you are contractually required to have a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by the council) available for use as required. Mileage allowance is paid.
