Senior Minerals Planner - REQ002686

Job title: Senior Minerals Planner (Development Management)
Salary: SO2/PO2 £37,280 - £42,839

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds

As a Senior Minerals Planner you’ll enjoy working with colleagues across the Council and outside it to deliver key planning services to the city. You’ll be joining one of the largest core city planning authorities in the country, within a diverse and thriving area.

The role is more than about processing applications, it presents an excellent opportunity to to expand your knowledge and progress your career whilst shaping significant energy, waste and minerals developments in Leeds, to achieve high quality, sustainable development.

Leeds City Council is one of the biggest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you
As a Senior Minerals Planner you will bring to the role:

An understanding of how planning particularly for minerals, energy and waste can contribute to the delivery of high-quality sustainable development and the achievement of sustainable communities.
Ability to influence outcomes and negotiate solutions.
Sound experience of working within a planning environment, preferably with experience of minerals energy and waste development, and specifically dealing with more complex and / or sensitive schemes.
Ability to manage own workload effectively and demonstrate timely case management, though ‘on the job’ support and training will be provided.
Experience of working effectively with others to deliver high quality outcomes.

About the role

The role involves working within a small team dealing with a wide range of development proposals, across the whole of the Leeds district.

These include power generation schemes such as new solar farms and district heating networks, together with new development for or at mining and waste sites. In addition to handling planning submissions, duties will also include monitoring of approved sites to ensure planning compliance.

You will liaise closely with colleagues in all areas of the Council, other authorities, public bodies and private organisations to deliver high quality services to Members, developers and the citizens of Leeds.

The service is based in Merrion House in Leeds City Centre, but has adopted a flexible, hybrid working model.

What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply
Please complete the online application form

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Louise White, Team Leader. Call 113 378 8013 or email louise.white@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

JOB DESCRIPTION – SENIOR PLANNER

ob Purpose
To deal with a full range of planning proposals appropriate to grade and experience and deliver related planning services to consistently high standards within a specific area team aligned to an Area / Community Plans Panel. To meet performance targets within a culture of proactive development management.

The post holder will be able to progress through the specified grades as experience and knowledge is gained. Support, guidance and training will be given to the post holder to assist in effective delivery of the responsibilities.

Specific Responsibilities:

To act as a case officer and engage with developers, prospective applicants and agents, ward members and the local community in pre-application discussions and to apply a project managed approach to development proposals.
To give appropriate and timely responses to customer enquiries on planning matters.
To act as the case officer and deal with a range of planning proposals and applications which according to grade, experience and career progression could include major and complex cases and those of a high profile nature and to make recommendations to a senior officer / Plans Panel for decision.
Attending meetings with prospective developers and their agents to advise on planning proposals.
To keep Elected Members, MPs, and customers appropriately informed on planning matters and deliver a high level of customer care, including attendance at meetings.
To undertake work in connection with a range of planning appeals which according to grade, experience and career progression could include major and complex cases and those of a high profile nature at Hearing or Public Inquiry.
To attend and present items which have been case managed at Plans Panel where required.
To manage and lead on specific projects and service improvements where required
To give advice and mentor junior members of staff where required
Liaising closely with colleagues in all areas of the department to secure the delivery of satisfactory services to Members, citizens and developers.
Liaison and joint working with other teams, departments, Authorities, public bodies and
private organisations.
Keeping abreast of changes in legislation, policy and procedures, ensuring such changes are taken into account in all matters dealt with.
The Directorate operates a Staff Appraisal and Development Scheme which includes individual Action Plans and a collective Training Plan.
You will be expected to participate actively and responsibly in the agreement of a Personal Action Plan and in meeting its agreed aim and targets.
To abide by the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
To abide by the Council’s No Smoking Policy.
To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade of the post

Qualifications
A recognised qualification in Planning or a related discipline e.g. diploma or degree is essential.

Essential Attributes SO2 & PO2

Ability to keep accurate records and to maange complex cases to deliver outcomes
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of customers and be customer focused
Ability to apply negotiation and problem solving skills
Ability to work to high standards and meet tight deadlines
Ability to act on own initiative
Ability to demonstrate flexibility, self motivation and determination
Ability to apply knowledge of planning and enforcement including planning law and policy
Ability to read, interpret plans and maps
Able to prepare detailed reports and make recommendations
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Knowledge of the role, functions and responsibility of a local authority
Have a sound understanding of the legal and operational framework of the forward planning functions within Local Government
Possess understanding of urban and rural planning issues and/or plan implementation
Possess a recognised qualification in Planning or a related discipline e.g. Diploma or Degree
Knowledge of public Inquiries process
Possess knowledge of technical planning matters and organisational tools relevant to the areas of work in which the applicant is interested
Experience of using IT packages
Experience of report writing
Experience of dealing with members of the public
Experience of working as part of a team
Experience of using IT packages
Experience of report writing
Willing to abide by the Councils Equal opportunities policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the council
Willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Councils Health and Safety policy.
Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work
Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to deadlines to achieve service objectives
Committed to own personal development and learning

ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES PO2 ONLY

Knowledge of Project Management Techniques
In depth experience of planning enforcement and investigative work
Experience of project management to deliver complex projects

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES SO2

Knowledge of Project Management Techniques
Member (or Student Member) of the RTPI or another appropriate professional body
In depth experience of planning enforcement and investigative work
Experience of project management to deliver complex projects

JOB PROFILE
SO2 DUTIES

Deals with a range of planning applications and pre application cases including some which are more complex and is able to negotiate solutions and give advice to customers / members of the public without supervision .
Writes detailed reports on complex issues, reaches reasoned conclusions and makes recommendations demonstrating a good understanding of policies and material considerations
Undertakes presentations and represents the Council in public forums
Deals with a range of appeals both in writing and at Hearings including costs submissions
Manages small projects including complex applications and / or those relating to service improvements
Demonstrates a knowledge of legislation and guidance and its application
Supporting the development of other staff within the workplace.
Carries out professional and technical duties to a fully job competent level, without supervision.
To actively promote the service in order to raise the profile of the council and demonstrate its value to all members, residents and customers.
(All of the above without supervision)

PO2 DUTIES

Deputising for senior management as instructed and foster good community relationships
Supervision of other officers as assigned or seconded to the post holder
Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross council projects and supporting Planning Services Management team.
Specialist and general knowledge of technical matters and demonstration of training and coaching.
Writes detailed reports on a full range of complex issues without supervision and presents at member / senior manager meetings.
Undertakes presentations and represents the council in public forums.
Supports appeals work including appearing at hearings, inquiries and examinations.
Engages with Ward members and local communities in dealing with complex urban and rural planning issues / matters and advising recommendations and a course of action.
Manages complex projects and /or those relating to service improvements.
Deals with a full range of planning duties including those of a very complex and / or sensitive nature.
Manages and leads projects using project management techniques and reporting mechanisms to ensure timely delivery of complex projects
Manages and leads on cross council projects.

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