Planning Technician

Overview

Are you highly organised, customer-focused and looking to build a career within planning and local government?

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking a proactive Planning Technician to join our Technical, Commercial and Innovation Services Team.  This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the planning process, helping to deliver an efficient, high-quality service for residents, businesses and communities across Buckinghamshire.

Working as part of our Planning Appeals team, you will support a wide range of planning functions including appeals administration, planning committee support, customer enquiries, document management and other technical planning services. No two days are the same, making this an ideal role for someone who enjoys variety, problem-solving and working within a fast-paced environment.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

As a Planning Technician, you will provide vital technical and administrative support across several areas of the Planning and Development service. This role, although based in the Planning Appeals team, may be required to support other teams from time to time.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting planning appeals from receipt through to decision.
• Managing customer enquiries and providing planning-related advice and information.
• Maintaining planning records and document management systems.
• Preparing documentation and supporting Planning Committee meetings.
• Processing consultations and statutory notifications.
• Working closely with planning officers, councillors, applicants, agents and external organisations.

Ensuring compliance with planning legislation, procedures and data protection requirements.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

 

About you

We're looking for someone who is organised, adaptable and enjoys delivering excellent customer service. You will be comfortable managing a varied workload, interpreting technical information and working to deadlines within a performance-focused environment.

You will have:

• Experience working in an administrative, technical support or customer service environment.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and confidently.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and database systems.
• A keen eye for detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Experience working with electronic document management systems.
• The ability to interpret plans, drawings and technical information.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Amanda Higgins at [email protected] for an informal discussion 

Closing date: 23:59 Friday 13th November

Interview Date: Week Commencing 23^rd November

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/