Principal Planning Officer

Are you a town planner that want to help shape future of Rother? Do you want to play a key role in helping Parish and Town Councils to develop their Neighbourhood plans? Do you want to help deliver the new Rother Local Plan? This is your opportunity to develop your career or have a change in direction/location. We have just completed Reg 18 Plan consultation – and want to drive forward a planned future.  This is an exciting time to join this friendly, well-resourced team.

If you are a qualified planner and a team player, at your best engaging and collaborating with the rest of your team, peers and stakeholders, this is the role for you.

Why come to Rother?- It is a beautiful area on the south coast with places like Camber and Rye, with history (1066) and beautiful national landscape. It is a beautiful place to live and work, with housing more affordable than many parts of the South East.

This is a relatively small district with big ambitions. Whether this is your next upward progression in your Planning career; you are looking for a new challenge; or want to bring your experience to Rother- we are keen to hear from you.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• To work with, and assist, the Planning Policy Manager and Planning Policy Team Leader in the delivery of Planning policy documents.
• To develop and draft planning policy.
• To oversee all aspects of the Council’ responsibilities for Neighbourhood Plans/Neighbourhood Development Orders and support and advise those communities who undertake neighbourhood planning.
• To advise Development Management on Planning policy and neighbourhood plans.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

• Planning or related degree
• Full membership of RTPI – Principal PO
• Relevant local planning authority experience
• Minimum four years relevant planning experience- Principal Officer/ Minimum three years relevant planning experience- Senior Officer
• A sound understanding of the local plan and neighbourhood planning processes, including their key aims, policy and legislative background.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written
• Proficiency in IT including use of Word, Excel and GIS
• Ability to work within a team and mentor junior staff

What Rother District Council can offer you:

We take pride in offering an excellent employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• training opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

For an informal discussion please contact Gilian Macinnes, Head of Planning, on gilian.macinnes@rother.gov.uk

The job description and application form are available to download from our website: www.rother.gov.uk/jobs/

Closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on: Sunday 5^th January 2025

Interviews date to be confirmed.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and community sectors