All LocationsAll Locations:
Dorchester
Advertising SalarySalary Details:
£32,061 - £36,363
What is the vacancy type for this advertVacancy Type:
Fixed Term
Function:
Planning
EmployerEmployer:
Dorset Council
Job Working PatternJob Working Pattern:
Full time
Closing time of advertClosing time of advert
23:59

About the role

As a Grade 9 Planning Officer, you will have the opportunity to develop your planning career in a beautiful and iconic area which has:
 
  • an outstanding historic environment including thousands of listed buildings, national landscape designations, and England’s only natural World Heritage Site – the Jurassic Coast
  • a place of growth and innovation with a population of 380,000 and an economy worth around £8.1 billion
  • a friendly and supportive work environment where you’ll have the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive
  • the technology to work between our offices, home or other suitable locations to enable a healthy work-life balance and to support your wellbeing
  • a range of employee benefits including a local government pension, flexible working, a generous holiday allowance as well as an in-house learning hub and development opportunities that include apprenticeships
 
 If you are looking for a new and exciting challenge to develop your Planning career, then Dorset offers everything you need.

What you can expect to be doing:
 
We are a bold and ambitious planning service taking Dorset into the future. Dealing with over 5000 planning applications a year – with everything from urban extensions, retail schemes and renewable energy projects to small scale agricultural and householder projects working for Dorset Council’s planning service really does have something for everyone.

As a Grade 9 Planning Officer you would be part of a ‘fast track’ team in the southern/western area of Dorset which covers Bridport, Lyme Regis, Beaminster, Weymouth and Portland dealing with a varied caseload of minor applications and other small scale development including changes of use, advertisement consent, prior approvals, certificates of lawfulness and applications for listed building consent.

You will work with developers, communities, colleagues within the Council and external bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency to bring forward appropriate new development. 
Preparing reports and recommendations for applications, responding to appeals by written representation and hearings. You will have the opportunity to expand your range of Development Management experience and progress your career in Planning in a supportive team environment.
 
 About you:
 
You will hold a degree-level qualification in town planning (or related subject) and preferably a postgraduate qualification in planning as well as having experience in a planning role in either the public or private sector.
 
Your knowledge of the planning system, and relevant policies and principles, will enable you to play an essential part in securing appropriate development for Dorset.

You’ll have an ability to communicate and collaborate proactively with communities, developers, and colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for Dorset.

Further Information

This is a full time role at 37 hours per week, fixed term until 31 January 2028.

For further information about this role please contact Katrina Trevett, by emailing [email protected]
 
This post has a significant travel requirement and you are contractually required to have a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by the council) available for use as required. Mileage allowance is paid.

You do not need to live in Dorset – we are able to work in a hybrid way, but we would ask that you visit Dorset weekly to undertake site visits and attend meetings.

We are happy to consider part-time or flexible working arrangements.

To find out more about a career in planning at Dorset Council visit the Council’s website.
 
Or hear from some of our team members:
 
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About Us

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

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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 300,000 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
  • receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

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.

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