Planning and Public Protection Officer

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Planning and Public Protection Officer to work within our enforcement teams in Planning and Public Protection. To be successful, you will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities. The role is based in Ipswich, Suffolk. This is a 2-year full time, fixed term contract focussed on the delivery of a project to regulate our larger caravan sites within Mid-Suffolk. You will earn a competitive salary of  £34,834 - £41,418 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Full time, part time and job share opportunities will be considered.

Your Planning and Public Protection Officer role:

You will be placed within our Heritage and Planning Team and your work programme will involve prioritising engagement and interventions at premises within the district where people may reside on mobile home sites or be staying temporarily in the district on holiday or touring sites.

Work will include the use of regulatory powers within the planning and caravan site licensing regulatory frameworks. 

Responsibilities as our Planning and Public Protection Officer:

• take a lead in ensuring that breaches of planning control and caravan site/mobile home legislation are investigated
• use your professional judgement to make decisions on enforcement action on individual cases and interpret guidance, level of risk and reputational impact, legislation and situations
• where necessary pursue enforcement actions or support the team in their actions
• help deliver a high-quality service across Mid-Suffolk Council, working hard to protect our communities
• provide support to the Planning Enforcement Officers and Officers within Public Protection.

What we're looking for in our Planning and Public Protection Officer:

Educated to Degree level, or equivalent knowledge gained through regulatory/enforcement experience.

The ideal person will:

• have experience in undertaking an enforcement approach and necessary action, however training and development will be provided to support you in areas of planning and/or caravan site licensing
• appreciate the legal consequences and reputational risks associated with regulatory work
• be able to deal with situations that may at times be emotionally and mentally challenging
• be a good collaborator and have a flexible approach to work, being prepared to help in emergencies or with difficult tasks
• be enthusiastic to learn new skills with the desire to support the team. 

You will work collaboratively within both our Planning Enforcement and Public Protection service areas and across other service areas to deliver this project. It is therefore important that you are a confident communicator with strong negotiation and persuasion skills.

Benefits you'll receive as our Planning and Public Protection Officer:

• Great opportunities for learning and development.
• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support Program.
• Employee Assist Program.
• Health Care Options.

About us

Working together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two National Landscapes within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK.

Closing date: 5pm, 10 May 2024.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Planning and Public Protection Officer role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.