Job Introduction
Shaping the places and spaces around us, Milton Keynes City Council’s Planning Service plays a key part in the growth of Milton Keynes, and the role of Planning Officer is a great way to develop your interest in planning as a career.
We’re looking for a proactive, ambitious, and hardworking person with great attention to detail, to confidently and efficiently assess a range of planning applications. You’ll work alongside other Planning Officers, stakeholders and the wider Development Management team to deliver physical, social and economic growth for Milton Keynes.
We’re currently moving to a new cloud-based software solution, and you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in this important project as well as several other projects designed to improve the quality and efficiency of our service.
This role is ideal for a graduate with some planning experience looking to progress and be supported in their career, or someone starting out in planning who already has their post-graduate qualification in planning. The role is offered initially on a fixed-term basis but there may be opportunities to progress within the city council.
We offer a £4,000 market supplement
Milton Keynes City Council is the first local authority to make a commitment to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Inclusive Framework. You can find out more about us and our achievements at www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk/planningjobsatmkc.
Main Responsibility
- Ensuring that all planning applications are efficiently and professionally determined whilst delivering an excellent customer service experience. You’ll handle a varied caseload of householder and other applications, including pre-application advice and related appeals, progressing onto small minors as you develop with us.
- Building and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Regularly carrying out site inspections and attending site meetings, as well as attending and presenting cases at Planning Panel when required.
- Shadowing and supporting senior officers on major applications and larger cases in order to support the team and expand your knowledge and experience of larger development.
- Supporting the work of the Development Management Team to individually and collectively deliver effective Development Management and continuous improvement to the service.
The Ideal Candidate
- Knowledge and experience of the planning system, ideally in a local government development management team, with a degree level qualification in planning or similar (i.e. geography), or a post-graduate qualification in planning (e.g. masters degree).
- A passionate individual with strong organisational skills with a proactive nature and ability to work using own initiative.
- Outstanding customer service and communication skills, confident in dealing with a range of customers and stakeholders in emotive situations.
- Ability to work as part of a team, sharing knowledge and experience, and constructively challenge to achieve productive outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Working knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office applications, such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience of using specialist planning software and an ability to read and understand plans and drawings.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
- 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
