Enforcement Officer

We are looking for a part-time Planning Enforcement Officer to join our dedicated team. Could you be interested?

Do you enjoy resolving problems through negotiation and are you committed to upholding the integrity of the planning system through effective enforcement? Are you looking for a new challenge?  If so, please keep reading as you’re just what we’re looking for!

You will be responsible for investigating breaches of planning control and taking a wide range of enforcement actions wherever necessary.

Day to day supervision will be provided by a Senior Enforcement Officer although you will report to the Planning Enforcement Manager. Your work will be focused for the most part in the Northern Areas of Dorset . There is, however, an expectation to travel around and be flexible with assisting the wider team across the Dorset area when the need arises.

You will carry out assessments of planning enforcement enquiries through desk based research and carry out site visits. You will research and gather evidence on a variety of breaches of planning control taking in to account appropriate legislation, government guidance, planning policies and council procedures. The work will often involve liaison with both internal and external consultees in order to progress a case.

Dorset Council area has an outstanding natural and historic environment with national and international designations including the internationally protected heathlands habitats, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the "Jurassic Coast" World Heritage Site.

Applicants are expected to have experience in planning enforcement or similar investigatory background and / or experience in Town Planning.

The ability to negotiate solutions in order to negate the necessity for formal action wherever possible is required. Good written and oral communication skills to be able to explain complex and/or contentious planning matters in plain simple English to all stakeholders including: members of the public, Councillors and other planning professionals, is essential.

There may be a requirement to prepare reports for committee and represent the Council at appeal hearings and criminal courts. You will have to agree recommendations on the expediency of taking action in discussion with the enforcement team manager and other senior officers within the Council. It will be a requirement to draft planning contravention notices, enforcement notices, breach of condition notices in liaison with legal services and senior officers.

Defending formal action by drafting statements with high quality evidence at planning enforcement appeals and hearings will be necessary. The preparation of witness statements and undertaking of interviews under Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) codes of practice also forms part of the role.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role please contact Aidan Meredith - Planning Enforcement Manager via email: [email protected] 

This is a part-time role at 15 hours per week.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed, together with business insurance. 

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We: 

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents 
• work in partnership to make a real difference 
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities 
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive 

You will: 

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset 
• have access to a range of benefits and support 
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application. 

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us. 

Find out more about how to apply.