Planning Enforcement Officer - Braintree District Council

Planning Enforcement Officer - Braintree District Council

Braintree District Council

Permanent, Full Time

£30,313 - £34,612 per annum

Location: Braintree

Closing Date: 01/12/2024

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit this Planning Enforcement Officer

To apply for this role, please click here

The Opportunity:

Braintree District Council have an exciting opportunity for a Planning Enforcement Officer to join their Planning Enforcement team based in Braintree, Essex.

This is an exciting time to work for Braintree. The District will grow significantly in the coming decades, and we are looking to embrace this challenge to deliver well-designed new homes, jobs and the infrastructure required to support this growth, whilst being careful to preserve the character and quality of the District. Our vision at Braintree is ambitious and to help us meet our challenges the Council is shaping its Planning Enforcement Team to match the needs of growing demand from its residents and councillors.

Career development is something we take seriously, and we enjoy nothing more than seeing our colleagues grow with us, with members of the team developing as they gain more experience and responsibilities within their specialist areas. We are committed to building an exceptional Enforcement Team, utilising our colleagues’ talent, and making the most of what they have to offer.

With a strong and supportive management behind you, you’ll play a key part in helping us achieve our aims and assist in driving forward our vision to shape the District. We offer flexible working arrangements with a mix of home and office working. It is essential that you have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes. The post may also be eligible to a vehicle through our lease car scheme.

About the Role

We are looking to recruit a new Planning Enforcement Officer to complement our existing team.

The Council is seeking to tackle enforcement in an efficient and effective manner with the Planning Enforcement Team making a positive difference to the District. The Council has invested significantly in the Service and we are now seeking to recruit a new Planning Enforcement Officer.

The role is pivotal within the team and you will be responsible for a diverse caseload of planning enforcement cases, including all the related case management and customer liaison. You will have strong interpersonal, persuasion and negotiation skills with experience of bringing contraventions to a resolution in a fair and proportionate manner. You will be carrying out site inspections, offering advice and resolving breaches of planning control through the most appropriate action. This will include, where necessary, the drafting of reports and formal notices, collecting evidence in a prescribed manner, the preparation of case files for legal/appeal proceedings and giving evidence at Court or during the appeal process.

Experience:

We welcome applications from Planning Enforcement Officers looking for a new challenge within a busy and innovative team, or candidates with similar related experience looking to take on a new opportunity. You will ideally have gained experience of working on a range of planning enforcement matters and have a working knowledge of CPIA and PACE rules. Experience of working in an enforcement environment and within a customer focused setting is essential.

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, excellent verbal and written communication, and customer service skills, as well as the necessary motivation to deliver high performance whilst managing a caseload and working to tight deadlines.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic, ambitious, supportive, and friendly team. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Darren Tuff, Planning Enforcement Manager on (01376) 312359.

Accountabilities:

• Investigation of alleged breaches of planning control in accordance with Council policies, procedures, and targets.


• Undertaking site investigations and evidence gathering.


• Where required, undertake out-of-hours inspections, surveys, surveillance or investigations.


• Cautioning suspects as appropriate.


• Taking statements under caution.


• Carrying out recorded interviews under caution.


• Liaise with key stakeholders as required.


• Make informed recommendations and determine the need for formal action.


• Maintain accurate and up to date records.


• Preparing, issuing, and serving legal documentation.


• Report regularly to the Enforcement Manager as to the result of any inspections, meetings and investigations, presenting documentation as and when requested.


• To update customers and Members in accordance with Council policies, procedures and targets to maintain a high level of customer service.


• Provide cover and support for other Officers within the team, during periods of absence.


• Prepare Reports, Enforcement Notices, and other evidence, and recommend the action to be taken.


• To prepare evidence for written representation appeals and to represent the Council at Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries, and at Court, in relation to cases relative to role and experience.


• Assist with administration of Appeals, including related correspondence.

Why choose Braintree District Council?

Braintree District Council is an ambitious and forward-thinking authority with a vision of creating a great place for our residents and businesses.

As a Council our role is as a guardian of the place and its people; where residents live well in healthy and resilient communities; a well-connected district with high-quality homes delivered with the infrastructure and a place which attracts and provides good employment opportunities.

We are becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community and are committed

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:

• Flexible working


• Free parking


• Local government pension scheme


• Learning and development for all staff


• Staff recognition schemes


• Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership.

To apply for this role, please click here

Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight on Sunday 1st December.

Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.