Principal Planning Officer

Maidstone Borough Council; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 54,000

Job description

POST TITLE: Principal Planning Officer

SECTION: Strategic Planning and Economic Development

SALARY: Grade 12 (£49,046 - £53,594) pa +£5,000 Market Supplement

LOCATION: Maidstone, Kent

CONTRACT: Permanent – Full or Part-Time

About the Role

Maidstone Borough Council is a progressive and proactive local authority with strong ambitions for Kent’s County Town and surrounding countryside. This is an exciting opportunity for a planner wishing to grow their strategic planning experience.

Maidstone offers a unique opportunity to work on major planning, development and investment projects. We work on a varied canvas – bringing forward significant, high-quality growth with associated infrastructure, whilst enhancing our significant local landscapes, heritage and identity.

To help plan proactively, Maidstone Borough’s Local Plan Review was adopted in March 2024, and we are now focusing on sustainable delivery, including master planning two new garden communities. We are also progressing a Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document and progressing a Maidstone Town Centre Strategy. The role will therefore provide superb experience for an enthusiastic team player and self-motivated individuals within a dynamic environment.

We will accept applications from those seeking a full or part time role for this permanent post and offer a flexible working environment.

About Maidstone Borough Council

Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with the ambition to deliver quality homes, high-quality places adopted for a changing climate and resilient communities, as well as a fairer economy for people and the planet and aspirations to deliver high-quality services to our residents and local businesses. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.

We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our team, and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment, where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.

Our Offer:

A range of benefits including:

1. Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
2. 7am to 7pm flexi-time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
3. Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years' LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave
4. Additional 3 days' leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year
5. Free parking and casual car user allowance
6. Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work-life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part-time
7. Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
8. Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
9. Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family
10. Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
11. Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
12. Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
13. Annual flu vaccine
14. Cycle to work scheme
15. Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
16. Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
17. A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You:

To be considered for the Principal Planning Officer role, your education and training will include:

1. Degree in Town Planning or Post Graduate qualification in Town Planning
2. Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Consideration will be given to other relevant professional accreditation holders e.g. RICS/RIBA subject to relevant experience
3. Full Driving Licence

Your experience will include:

1. Extensive experience of dealing with complex and sensitive planning issues and preparation of policies and guidance
2. Ability to assess and evaluate large quantities of often complex and sometimes conflicting information and data and then find creative solutions and formulate strategic policy and proposals

Additionally, you will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Selection Process:

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview presentation, followed by an interview.

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

Please specify on your application form whether you wish to apply on a full-time or part-time basis.

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Mark Egerton, Strategic Planning Manager on 01622 602062.

To apply for the position, please Apply Here and complete the online application form or by phone at 01622 602555.

Closing Date: Sunday 30th March 2025

Interview Date: From the week commencing 7th April 2025