Planning Enforcement Officer

Permanent, Full Time

Up to £36,057 per annum

Location: Remote Working

Closing Date: 28th July 2021

The Planning Enforcement Officer post is responsible for the enforcement of planning control for the County of Essex for both minerals and waste planning applications and non-compliant development and the County Council's own infrastructure development programme of work. This specialist planning role develops and continuously needs to review enforcement procedures and protocols to ensure consistency of approach and compliance with legislation, Government guidance and any best practice, all of which is constantly evolving and developing.

The enforcement role underpins the planning service and is responsible for ongoing surveying and monitoring of operational sites which have been granted planning permission, to ensure planning control breaches do not occur, and for collating intelligence and evidence in cases for unauthorised development and activity where suspected breaches occur in order to secure compliance with planning control to prevent planning harm and uphold public confidence in the planning system.

Role responsibilities include:

· Responsible for investigating breaches of planning control in accordance with the Councils agreed targets and timescales to enable appropriate courses of action to be determined and implemented to resolve issues, either by negotiation and/or by initiating formal enforcement action, in accordance with the Council's Local Enforcement and Site Monitoring Plan.

· Responsible for collecting evidence and intelligence (including out of hours monitoring/surveillance) in accordance with the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act; Proceeds of Crime Act and conducting formal interviews and taking photographs in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in order to secure compliance with the planning permission granted any planning conditions attached to the permission..

· Responsible for surveying and monitoring all operational sites to advise and guide operators to ensure breaches of planning control do not arise; liaising with statutory bodies and other enforcement agencies, notably Environment Agency, to ensure consistency of approach.

· Act as the main contact point for public liaison to ensure high quality public relations and customer contact with regards to enforcement issues.

· Act as the lead in implementing, prioritising and co-ordinating the monitoring function in respect of waste management sites to, as required by the Council's Local Enforcement and Site Monitoring Plan to help ensure breaches of planning control do not arise.

· To prepare reports for the Development and Regulation Committee and proofs of evidence (written and photographic) to enable audit trails to be followed for cases under investigation: to draft legal notices for senior officers and members and to provide evidence at public inquiries and in court to attempt to bring enforcement cases to a suitable outcome.

· Responsible for providing advice, reports and recommendations for the Chief Planning Officer and senior officers and members and presenting items and providing training sessions for council committees on enforcement issues and cases in order to ensure that those taking decisions are equipped to do so.

· To keep up to date and be responsible for implementing the council's own enforcement policies and procedures as set out in the Council's Local Enforcement and Site Monitoring Plan.

· To be the main point of contact for, and to liaise with the public (including attendance at evening meetings) to ensure good public relations and customer contact on enforcement issues.

· To undertake out of hours monitoring/surveillance as required.

You will be required to be mobile throughout an operational area (or throughout Essex or similar where more appropriate) and therefore a valid driving licence and use of car required, unless the role can be undertaken effectively by alternative transport arrangements

About you

• Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience.

· Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in a relevant professional area.

• Demonstrable an understanding of relevant Planning legislation.

· Experience of using influencing and negotiating skills when working directly with the public and operators/developers in both routine and challenging circumstances.

· Experience of presenting in formal situations e.g. as a witness in Court proceedings.

· Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to deal with challenging situations.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service .

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on https://www.workingforessex.com/benefits

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 0333 013 5888.