Job info	Job info details
Job title	Planning Policy and Projects Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency
Business unit	Strategy and Project Management (Planning, Transport and Environment)
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Service Manager Strategy and Project Management
Accountable to (line manager)	Service Manager Strategy and Project Management
Salary grade	I
JE ref	SPA87

1. Key purpose of job

• The production, delivery and review of statutory and non-statutory strategic plans, action plans, and supporting documents primarily for planning and environment (most significantly the Local Plan) but also covering transport, waste and other related policy work.
• Support the Council to provide its statutory duties in relation to Planning. 
• Contribute to the provision of an efficient, effective and professional spatial planning service, promoting and delivering sustainable outcomes for Torbay’s residents, businesses and visitors.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Reflection of local, regional and national policy and objectives for Planning and the Environment across up to date policy and supporting documents. 
• Enabling the Council to, so far as possible, meet national and local performance targets.
• Supporting the delivery of homes and economic growth within a protected and enhanced natural environment.
• Delivering projects identified in strategic planning documents, or proposed through the planning process, funded via the planning process or other external funding sources.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• Working with the team to ensure compliance with legislation, guidance and best practice in producing / reviewing strategic plans, delivering projects and providing advice on planning proposals.
• Develop strategic planning and environmental policy documents, supplementary guidance, masterplans and development briefs.
• Provide advice on planning and environmental matters relating to projects, bids, pre-applications and planning applications.
• Provide advice on the selection, management and delivery of projects, often using consultants, to deliver environmental programmes, major development projects and economic regeneration.
• Produce and submit funding bids to help deliver major developments, transport projects, environmental programmes and economic regeneration, advising on costs, risks, benefits and other implications of those bids.
• Take a proactive approach to encourage and support sustainable economic regeneration and prosperity in the Bay and provide advice on the way in which planning and environmental processes can help deliver those objectives.
• Provide strategic planning and environmental advice on proposed developments; deal with general correspondence on planning and environmental related matters; liaising with developers, consultants and other Council services.
• Commissioning / production of evidence, including monitoring information, and use that evidence to support plan production and review, funding submissions and development projects, and ensure the dissemination of that evidence.
• Prepare and present reports to other Council services, Members, Council meetings, working / task and finish groups and community / interest groups.
• Prepare and present evidence, research findings and business cases to Members, Public Inquiries, funding organisations and partner organisations.
• Support the project manager in key projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and on budget, and lead on the delivery of smaller projects.
• Support the preparation, production and presentation of budgets for projects, bids and key pieces of work.
• Keep abreast of and knowledgeable about current and proposed legislation, new technologies and best practice relevant to the job.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Provide advice on the allocation of monies to key projects.
• Manage and monitor budgets, meeting funders requirements, on small projects and in relation to the allocation of contributions from Planning Applications (Section 106 and CIL).

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Predominantly office working environment (can be homeworking).
• Travel to and attendance at site visits and meetings in other locations may be required.
• Some lone working is required and this may be out of core hours.
• Work in all weather conditions, for example during site visits, checking compliance with permissions, agreements and contracts.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort, including walking distances in excess of 1km, moving around on rough ground, using platforms, moving around construction sites and use of public transport.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• GIS and Planning software resources.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• The following are an example of the range of external contacts this role will have a relationship with (others will also apply):
  • SWISCO; Government departments, in particular Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; The Community and Local Business; Neighbourhood Forums; Brixham Town Council; Neighbouring Authorities; Developers, Land Owners and Agents; Strategic Partners; Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust; South Devon National Landscape.

Internal

• Working across the directorate and wider Council to ensure policies are joined up and that the best outcomes for Torbay are achieved.
• Close working in particular with the Development Management, Housing, and Legal functions will be essential.
• The following are an example of the range of internal contacts this role will have a relationship with (others will also apply):
  • Officers within the Spatial Planning Business Unit; Other officers within the Council; Senior Leadership Team; Elected members of the council. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• This post is office based at Tor Hill House, Torquay the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date. The post is eligible for both hybrid working.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council. 

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Planning Policy and Projects Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency
Business unit	Strategy and Project Management (Planning, Transport and Environment)

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Self motivated, productive, dynamic and innovative.
• Effective computer literacy skills (MS windows).
• Sound level of numeracy.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Presentation skills particularly in relation to presenting reports to committee. 
• Report preparation skills.
• Communication and negotiation skills.
• Able to convey information accurately and clearly in a manner which is clearly understood.
• Assertion skills, i.e. able to determine and use behaviour which is appropriate to the situation and to exercise tact and diplomacy.
• Administrative skills, i.e. a thorough organised approach to work with the ability to prioritise and manage workloads.
• Able to see tasks through to a successful conclusion, meeting challenging deadlines whilst maintaining attention to detail.
• Contributing successfully to effective team working.
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• A conscientious attitude to work.
• Willingness to maintain and improve standards and performance through implementation of good practice and personal development.
• Effective support for project management.
• Commitment to customer and client focus.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Ability to demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
• High level of productivity.
• Skills in creativity.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Able to demonstrate knowledge of transport, environment and /or planning legislation, government advice and policy, circulars and guidance notes and awareness of general issues facing related professions.
• Knowledge of the planning, transport and/or environmental policy processes from cradle to grave.
• Understanding of the importance of economic regeneration.
• Understanding of the role of sustainability, energy efficiency, design, transport and waste and other important considerations. 

Desirable knowledge

• Experience in planning, transport, waste and environment policy at a high level dealing with complex major applications. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Relevant and demonstrable experience in policy making and / or project management.
• Demonstrable experience handling policy issues and project delivery issues.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Local Government or other public sector experience.
• Experience of preparation and implementation of redevelopment, regeneration, transport or environment project.
• Direct personal experience of dealing with architects / agents, clients, Councillors, members of the public, developers, objectors and applicants.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• A Degree in planning, transport, geography, economics or environment at graduate or post graduate level. 
• Chartered Member, or equivalent, of relevant professional institution / organisation, or working towards membership, or an intention to pursue a career in spatial strategy or project management.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Other specialist and relevant qualifications. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
• Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home-working.