Career Grade Planner

We are looking for a motivated and customer-focused individual to join our team as a Career Grade Planner. 

We are looking to appoint within Level 1 of the attached matrix and continue to support through your development to reach level 2.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of an effective planning service, managing a range of applications, enquiries, and projects suited to your level of experience. The role offers a clear and structured development pathway, enabling you to progress from entry level to a fully qualified Planner while building your technical knowledge, professional competence, and decision-making skills. As you develop, you will take on increasingly complex work and play a key role in delivering high-quality place making and sustainable development.

In this role, you will manage a caseload of planning applications, pre-application enquiries, and permitted development requests, assessing proposals against national and local planning policies. You will undertake site visits, prepare professional reports, and contribute to informed decision-making. You will also support planning enforcement activities, including investigating complaints, gathering evidence, and helping resolve breaches. Alongside this, you will engage with applicants, agents, councillors, and members of the public, providing clear and timely advice, and working collaboratively with internal teams to ensure robust and balanced outcomes.

We are seeking someone with strong communication and organisational skills, who can build effective relationships and manage their workload confidently. You will have a minimum of five GCSEs (including Maths and English), experience handling routine situations, and the ability to remain calm and professional in challenging environments. A proactive attitude, attention to detail, and competence with a range of digital tools are essential. In return, you will benefit from ongoing training, mentoring, and support to work towards professional qualifications, helping you progress through the career grade framework and build a rewarding career in planning.

You will need

• A minimum of 5 qualifications equivalent to NVQ level 2 or GCSE at Grade C/4 or above, must include Maths and English
• Ability to build customer relationships
• Experience in assessing routine situations and carrying out inspections if and when required
• Ability to remain calm and confident when dealing with challenging customers and environments
• Ability to resolve routine issues by negotiation
• Maintain accurate and up to date records
• Demonstrate commitment and resilience to succeed
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage time effectively

Special Conditions

• You will be expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service.
• There may be a requirement to work at other locations to meet the needs of the business.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Ability to travel / access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Politically restricted postholders are restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or for a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate for election to a local authority, the House of Commons, or the European Parliament.