Planning Policy Officer

Our Values

It’s great to know that you are interested in working with us at Coventry City Council. As a prospective employee, it is important that everyone who works for us is committed to our One Coventry values and shares our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. 

Our Values are:

About the team we are recruiting to

Planning Policy and Environment is a service area within Coventry City Council which supports the growth of the city. 

The vision and commitment of the Planning Policy and Environment team ensures there is a robust platform to guide the delivery of sustainable development making provision for local people through the delivery of housing, jobs, retail and community uses whilst creating high quality urban and natural environments. 

The service area sits within a larger team alongside Development Management, Building Control and Regulatory Services and encompasses a number of individual but related specialisms all focussed on delivering a city for those wishing to live and work here.   Those specialisms include Planning, Ecology, Trees and Landscape, Urban Design, Conservation, Archaeology and Environmental Protection. 

What is the job role?

We are looking to recruit a Planning Policy Officer to deliver a high quality Planning Policy service in a way that contributes to the achievement of the City Council’s vision and objectives for a growing and sustainable city. You will be responsible for undertaking/initiating specific projects/research and provide policy and strategy support to the Planning team as a whole.  

The main duties and responsibilities of the role include (but are not limited to): 

• Assisting with the preparation, implementation and review of spatial planning policy including neighbourhood plans working with external partners, including neighbouring authorities to ensure consistent cross boundary policies and implementation proposals are agreed.  

• To assist with the monitoring of performance indicators and targets for the Planning Policy team 

• To develop and maintain effective working relationships and good communications with key stakeholders, partnerships and other internal divisions and directorates 

• To assist with survey work and consultation, including involvement in any necessary publicity; assist with the analysis of data and presentation of results and respond as necessary to requests for information.  Assist with research to inform policy development 

• Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of all appropriate legislation, regulations, good practice, policies, procedures and funding arrangements relating to planning policy 

Who are we looking for?

Have you got a degree or equivalent in Planning, or a related discipline? 

Do you have knowledge of issues relating to planning? 

If yes… we want to hear from you! 

We are looking for someone who has a good knowledge of issues relating to planning policy generally, and an understanding of Local Authority policies and procedures relating to these. You must also have Knowledge of customer care and the principles of equal opportunities in providing a Planning Policy function.  

Good communication skills, verbal and written, are key as you will be assisting in the preparation and presentation of documentation relating to complex subjects in a way that is concise and able to be easily understood. You must also have the ability to assist in the development and implementation of development projects and be able to work in partnership and develop effective relationships with people from external agencies and neighbouring authorities. 

When applying for this role you will be asked to write a personal statement, when writing your personal statement please include the following: 

• Your education and experience related to Planning, and Planning Policy specifically, and if you are eligible or working towards membership of a professional body such as RTPI 

• An example of an experience where you been directly involved in partnership working with either external organisations, communities, neighbouring authorities or multiple internal departments.  

• An example of using analysis of multiple sources of data to make a decision or to recommend a course of action 

For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Interview date: Week Commencing 5th June 2023

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 4800 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies