Introduction
Are you ready to help Herefordshire meet its ambitious growth goals? We are a large unitary council where the planning service is at the heart of our spatial priorities. With significant investments currently being made in our systems and processes, there has never been a better time to join us.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Planning Officer to join our Strategic & Neighbourhood Planning team. In this role, you will help create vibrant places to live and work while also addressing the challenges of climate change and protecting nature.
The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a planning officer to work as part of the Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning Team. You will support the Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning Manager in the delivery of spatial policy and the development of the local plan under the new plan making system. We are seeking a well-motivated and enthusiastic individual to join us. If you would like to become part of a friendly and encouraging environment that supports these ambitions, then we would like to hear from you.
Our Strategic Planning team sets the future direction for growth and sustainable development in Herefordshire. The team produces robust monitoring and evidence and is creating a new Local Plan for Herefordshire. This is alongside supporting the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans and supporting policy documents for a unitary area that serves a population of 191,000.
What will you be doing?
As our Planning Policy Officer, you'll play a key part in creating and keeping our policy documents up to date. These documents serve as guides and benchmarks for future developments in the area and you'll also be responsible for conducting research, monitoring, and gathering statistics to bolster our Planning Service and policy framework.
Your main areas of responsibility will be:
- Contributing to the development of strategic planning documents, spatial strategies (including infrastructure), policy guidance, evidence base work and plan monitoring.
- Engaging with internal & external stakeholders, neighbouring authorities, Elected Members and communities to ensure inclusive and effective placemaking
- Analysing complex planning issues and providing expert advice to inform policy and decision-making
- Supporting neighbourhood planning groups through all stages of plan-making and grass root level planning activities
- Managing planning policy enquiries and supporting a wide range of planning activities
- Keeping informed about UK Government policies, strategic planning, and sub- regional planning matters.
About You
You will be a motivated and collaborative planning officer with the ability to analyse, interpret and present evidence and information succinctly and to a variety of audiences. As a proactive member of our team, you will flexibly support the Planning Service's goals and contribute positively to the council's broader objectives. If you have a background in policy development or a related field and a commitment to professional excellence, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered as a Planning Policy Officer, you will need:
- A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline
- Chartered membership of the RTPI (or equivalent) or working towards it
- Experience in development planning or strategic planning policy is desirable
- A collaborative mindset and ability to work across disciplines that include infrastructure, conservation and heritage, and the environment.
- A commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering positive outcomes for people and places.
- Effective communication skills and an ability to develop strong working relationships, together with time management, use of initiative and organisational skills.
- The ability to work under your own initiative as well as within a team, often to tight deadlines and on multiple work streams
We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £32,061 - £36,363
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong.
At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.
Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales. The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west.
Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working. We are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, which is a cross border collaboration between Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Shropshire who are collectively working to secure funding to invest in the region.
The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan, with four main areas;
People: We will enable residents to realise their potential, to be healthy and to be part of great communities who support each other. We want all children to have the best start in life.
Place: We will protect and enhance our environment and ensure that Herefordshire is a great place to live. We will support the right housing in the right place, we will support access to green spaces and we will do everything we can to recover the health of our rivers.
Growth: We will create the conditions to deliver sustainable growth across the county; attracting inward investment, building business confidence, creating jobs, enabling housing development along with providing the right infrastructure.
Transformation: We will be an efficient council that embraces best practice, delivers innovation through technology and demonstrates value for money.
Don’t meet all parts of the job description?
Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: [email protected].
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role.
For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact: (Siobhan Riddle, Strategic & Neighbourhood Planning Manager, 01432 260142).
Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too. Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!