West Suffolk Council has a strong reputation for forward-thinking and innovation and is currently undertaking an ambitious investment and development programme to support economic and housing growth in the area, as well as actively pursuing opportunities to generate revenue to support the delivery of services. Planning is a high profile and often contentious service area. It unlocks growth, contributes significantly towards our corporate objectives and strives to protect and improve the built and natural environment of West Suffolk.
As a key member of the Planning team, you will be assisting with the delivery of an effective and efficient Planning Service.
Within the team we have a strong supportive and learning culture. The team consists of training Planning Officers, qualified Planning Officers, Senior Planning Officers, Principle Planners as well as technical support and apprentices.
You will be expected to deal independently with a range of complex planning applications, including those for major development, as well as providing formal mentoring and sign off responsibility for more junior planning officers.
We are looking for enthusiastic, confident and solutions focused individuals with a flexible approach to work and a ‘can do’ attitude to join us. You will have excellent administration, communication and IT skills. The ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines, be organised, with an attention to detail and accuracy are all essential as well as being a team player. Site visits are required in a large rural area and so the suitable candidates will need to hold a current driving licence and/or the ability to travel around West Suffolk.
If you have the right attitude and embrace the opportunities that working in such a dynamic environment brings, then we can offer you a fascinating, challenging, dynamic, supported and always interesting workplace here in West Suffolk. In addition, our benefits package includes a generous pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, learning and development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and discounts on supermarkets and high street shops, cashback on holidays, cycle to work scheme and money off household bills and much more.
If this is a challenge that you are interested in, we would like to hear from you.
For further information or an informal chat please contact Sarah Drane, Principal Planning Officer on 01638 719432 or email sarah.drane@westsuffolk.gov.uk or Dave Beighton, Principal Planning Officer on 01638 719470 or email dave.beighton@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Closing date: Thursday 10 December 2020.
Interview date: Thursday 17 December and Friday 18 December 2020.
Job description
Person specification
Core values
Since 6 April 2020 West Suffolk Council have taken on responsibility for enforcing parking regulations both on-street and off-street.
We are looking for 3 Civil Enforcement Officers to join our operational team - two based in Bury St Edmunds and one based in Stowmarket. These are key roles which involves promoting responsible parking and ensuring the free and safe movement of traffic through enforcement of legislation relating to the Traffic Management Act (2004).
You will patrol restricted parking areas, car parks and on-street pay and display parking bays and resident parking schemes to monitor compliance, taking appropriate enforcement action under current legislation by issuing Penalty Charge Notices using handheld computer devices. You will investigate and assess individual cases, collect photographic evidence, keep detailed case notes, make written reports to enable subsequent legal action and attend Adjudication Tribunals when required.
You will be responsible for ensuring all pay and display equipment and payment services are serviceable by carrying out regular checks, ensuring ticket levels are sufficient, identifying faults and reporting any missing signs, road markings and anything that may constitute an enforcement issue or health and safety issue.
You will need excellent communication and customer service skills as you will come into regular contact with the general public and have to deal with potentially confrontational situations. You will also need to maintain good working relationships with other services and external agencies such as the Police and DVLA.
Previous experience in a similar role is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. Knowledge of the local area would also be advantageous but it is more important that you demonstrate the right competencies including initiative and the ability to work under pressure. You will need to be proficient in the use of ICT, including emails, word processing and data inputting.
Uniform and protective clothing, communication devices including a body worn camera will be provided as you will be working outdoors in all weathers. You will work on a four days on / four days off rolling rota which will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays so you must have a flexible approach. You must be comfortable with lone working duties.
You must have a full UK driving licence (manual) as a vehicle will be provided for you to travel between sites. There is also a significant amount of walking-averaging 10 miles a day involved with this role and collection and handling of cash which will require heavy lifting so you must be physically fit.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Kevin Bolton, Assistant Parking Services Manager on 07956029283.
Interviews will take place on Monday 7 December 2020 via Microsoft Teams.
The West Suffolk Property Services team is responsible for maintaining the property assets of West Suffolk Council.
You will play a vital role assisting with the management of the incredibly diverse and mainly commercial portfolio of over 400 properties that includes offices, leisure buildings, shopping centres, industrial sites, housing, parks, historic buildings and scheduled ancient monuments.
With this variety of property, we guarantee that no two days will be the same and this post offers an exciting opportunity for someone to join our Building Services team.
You will be primarily responsible for delivering project work associated with the development of new sites, refurbishment, and repair of a number the properties.
You will also support the wider team in delivering the day to day planned and reactive maintenance across our portfolio.
Duties will include advising clients on schemes and projects and determining requirements; leading the detailed design process and coordinating design information, preparing and presenting design proposals using computer-aided design (Auto-CAD) methods; liaising with appropriate authorities (e.g. planning enquiries and building inspectors) when producing documentation for statutory approval; preparing schemes with costings; preparing documents for tender; contract management; ensuring projects are completed on budget and to schedule.
If you are driven to deliver successful and innovative solutions to a forward thinking public sector organisation, are up for the challenge and possess experience in a Building Surveying, Architectural or Building Services environment, then we look forward to hearing from you. For further information and to apply please go to www.westsuffolk.gov.uk.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Robin Leeks, Building Services Manager on 07787857301 or Darren Dixon, Service Manager - Property on 01284757678.
liaising with appropriate authorities (e.g. planning enquiries and building inspectors) when producing documentation for statutory approval; preparing schemes with costings; preparing documents for tender; contract management; ensuring projects are completed on budget and to schedule.
If you are driven to deliver successful and innovative solutions to a forward thinking public sector organisation, are up for the challenge and possess experience in a Building Surveying, Architectural or Building Services environment, then we look forward to hearing from you.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Robin Leeks, Building Services Manager on 01284 757395 or Darren Dixon, Service Manager - Property on 01284 757678.