Job Description

Senior / Planning Development Officer

Rate: £19.81 per hour PAYE

Location: Remote with 1 day in the Solihull office per week if required

Contract: 4 - 6 Months

Working hours: 37 per week

Overview: Opus People Solutions are recruiting on behalf of Solihull Borough Council for a Planning Officer with experience of monitoring and managing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 agreements and process.

Job Purpose: The Planning Officer will support the delivery of Solihull Borough Council's preparation, production and review of documents associated with the planning policy/housing strategy formulation for the Borough, including the tasks associated with producing such documents.

Responsibilities:

To lead and/or support policy development on one or more specialist areas of planning policy/housing strategy. Such areas may include planning for new homes; affordable housing and delivery; employment; retail; sustainability appraisals; gypsy & traveller accommodation; and infrastructure delivery (including S106/CIL).

To develop and/or maintaining one or more of the Council's monitoring systems in relation to planning & development.

To lead on commissioning evidence base studies (or similar) to be undertaken by external consultants; including scoping, procuring and overseeing the appointed consultants.

To take a lead on advising and liaising with nominated parish councils and/or neighbourhood forums to support their neighbourhood planning preparations.

To prepare and present reports to Council/Cabinet meetings, boards or committees as required.

Presenting evidence in respect of planning appeals, including acting as expert witness at public inquiries and examinations in public.

To provide support & guidance to other officers working on aspects of planning and housing delivery

Essential Knowledge required:

Advanced understanding and application of relevant planning policy, procedure and legislation relevant to the role and commensurate to the operating level.

Advanced knowledge and understanding of the role and purpose of the Local Authority, the responsibilities of the Service area, and the political operating arena.

Experience of presenting effectively in meetings e.g. with stakeholders.

Experience of working flexibly, prioritising tasks in order to meet deadlines

Essential Skills:

Ability to take ownership, and show accountability and responsibility for your behaviours/actions; working well as part of a team.

Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Ability to show resilience and able to manage contentious situations and deal with matters of dispute.

You have professional personal presentation to reflect the customer facing nature of the business.

Demonstrable commitment to Continual Professional Development and personal development, with a willingness to identify your development needs.

Ability to demonstrate clear awareness of our Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding responsibilities