Job info	Job info details
Job title	Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Planning
Business unit	Development Management
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Senior Planning Enforcement Officer
Accountable to (line manager)	Service Manager – Development Management
Salary grade	E
JE ref	JOT227

1. Key purpose of job

• To identify and investigate unauthorised development, and to support in subsequent enforcement proceedings.
• To maintain and improve as necessary visual amenity, uses of land and property and implementation of operational development in Torbay, by the enforcement of appropriate legislation and to work in partnership with others to achieve effective outcomes.
• To assist in the development of collaborative working with partners to improve working practices around the enforcement and resolution of issues in this area of work.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• To help provide a quality enforcement service which is timely, effective and proportionate and which meets the targets as set for the service.
• To assist in ensuring all planning enforcement reports are dealt with in a timely manner.
• To maintain and improve Torbay’s environment by ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and Council policies.
• Specific interventions are developed and implemented to reduce the non-compliance with legislation and that effective outcomes are achieved in partnership.
• The provision of a service that is more integrated across the local authority providing better and more effective outcomes for clients in Torbay.
• That innovative and sustainable partnership arrangements exist to ensure the effective delivery of services.

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.
• To investigate breaches of planning control and monitoring of complaints about possible breaches of planning control and to assist in the determination of appropriate courses of action through a multi-agency approach.
• To assist in the processing of enforcement complaints from receipt to closure.
• Assisting with processing planning applications etc., resulting from investigations. Dealing with telephone, email and written enquiries and general correspondence as required.
• To prepare written reports including draft formal notices on any aspect of the post holder’s activities.
• Maintain accurate case records on appropriate document management databases.
• To ensure that all evidence and information gathered in the course of investigations is stored and recorded in line with national legislation and legal guidelines.
• To take a proactive approach to working with partner agencies to ensure a corporate approach to complaint resolution.
• Keeping abreast of and knowledgeable about current and proposed legislation relevant to the job.
• To assist in the provision of advice and proactive engagement with partner agencies on appropriate interventions and problem solving.
• To assist in the preparation of enforcement evidence for appeals and appearing at hearings/inquiries as necessary.
• To assist in the preparation of case files for prosecution and attending Court to provide evidence where appropriate, and to assist partner agencies with their related Court actions by way of providing supportive evidence and practical assistance.
• To deal with the public both via telephone and face to face during the course of investigations and ensure that the public are kept informed of the progress of their concern/complaint.
• To ensure that a customer focussed service is provided that strives to be innovative in its search for continuous improvement.
• To ensure that Senior Officers and Managers are kept aware of all developments requiring their decision and reporting, whenever necessary, as required.
• To provide the required standards of Customer Care through the provision of a fair, efficient service, clearly explained to our customers and demonstrating a positive attitude in all aspects of work.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Flexible hybrid of office/home working environment however the post will also require regular travel to and attendance at site visits to investigate alleged breaches of planning law which, on occasions, may be in inclement weather and may require some out of hours working.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort to include walking around a site when on a visit/inspection and navigate obstacles.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Office equipment and IT to include mobile phone and a camera. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External: 
  • The general public;
  • Neighbourhood Forums and/or Brixham Town Council; 
  • Businesses, residents’ groups, community groups and voluntary sector; 
  • Statutory agencies including Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Safer Communities Partnership, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services; 
  • Architects, Agents and Developers.
• Internal: 
  • Officers within the Spatial Planning Business Unit; 
  • Officers of other groups within the Council (highways, environmental protection etc.);
  • Managers and officers of other Directorates (e.g., legal services, estates, finance, housing children’s services etc.);
  • Members of the Development Management Committee;
  • Other Elected Members of Torbay 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.
• The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• 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	Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Planning
Business unit	Development Management

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• To be able to effectively communicate using all available methods, including written and oral, formal and informal reports and in presentations taking into account issues of confidentiality.
• To communicate effectively with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations with all relevant information conveyed in a manner it can be easily understood.
• Ability to demonstrate effective organisational skills, particularly with self organisation and the ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion and deadlines are met.
• Ability to demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to demonstrate the use of initiative and commitment to include demonstrating a flexible and adaptable approach to work requirements.
• Ability to demonstrate the use of developing, and the recording of, rational and persuasive arguments.
• Effective observational skills to include demonstrating attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate effective use of PC based computer systems, including Excel and Word.
• Ability to demonstrate effective time management in order to meet the needs of a range of customers including the public as well as any conflicting demands.
• Ability to demonstrate effective teamwork.
• Effective demonstration of self awareness in order to determine and use the appropriate behaviour/language required for each changing situation.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Ability to demonstrate the necessary skills required to undertake accurate site surveys. 
• Ability to demonstrate the drive and enthusiasm required to achieve results. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Effective knowledge and understanding of report writing and presentations.
• Effective knowledge and understanding of how to undertake investigations, record facts and reach appropriate outcomes and recommendations.

Desirable knowledge

• Some knowledge and understanding of all relevant planning legislation. 
• Some knowledge and understanding of RIPA and PACE legislations. 
• Some knowledge and understanding of CAPS (Uniform) databases and Comino document management systems. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of analysing and manipulating data and other reporting methods to produce required reports.
• Experience of working in a customer facing and focused role.
• Previous experience of working in a multi-agency environment.
• Experience of responding to competing and changing priorities.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Previous experience of undertaking site inspections and to have experience in using appropriate interview techniques to ascertain relevant facts. 
• Resolving problems with a high degree of discretion, sensitivity and advocacy.
• Experience of dealing with a wide range of people in challenging situations.
• Previous experience of undertaking investigations from receipt of initial complaint through to a successful outcome.
• Previous experience of working in a role dealing with complaints, enforcement and which provided an explanation of statutory/internal procedures.
• Previous experience of working as part of a regulatory function, preferably in the context of local government. 
• Direct previous experience of working with and/or dealing with architects / agents, Councillors, members of the public, developers, objectors and applicants. 
• Experience of undertaking PACE interviews.
• Experience of court proceedings, particularly giving evidence to courts.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• To be qualified to GCSE A to C level or equivalent including Maths and English Language. 
• Driving Licence and immediate access to a car to attend site visits as not all sites are accessible by public transport.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Be working toward or, already hold technical membership of a planning related institute. 
• Ability to demonstrate up to date CPD training in enforcement issues and relevant legislative requirements.
• Ability to demonstrate up to date CPD in PACE training and rules of evidence.

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/Southwest/UK in order to carry out duties. 
• Flexible approach to accommodating occasional unsociable hours where possible.