The Role

• Are you looking for working arrangements that enhance your work-life balance?
• Do you want to join a positive and ambitious team?
• Are you qualified to degree level in a subject relevant to planning and want to improve your understanding of national, regional and local planning policy?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Spatial and Transport Planning service for a permanent full-time Policy Planner to be based within a team of professional planners, leading on the development of the Wandsworth and Richmond Local Plans and related policies. There has never been a more challenging – or rewarding – time to work for Richmond and Wandsworth.

About the role

The Planner (Policy) will contribute to the preparation and development of policies as part of the two boroughs’ Local Plans and other policy documents. Depending on your skills and experience, you will take on specialist projects related to planning policy, including on producing evidence and research for the Local Plans, and its broader implementation within the borough.

You will take part in and actively contribute to the preparation for public consultation and engagement exercises relating to the development and review of local planning policies and guidance.

You will also assist on the preparation of specialist evidence and statements for the Local Plan Examinations in Public, as well as in respect of planning appeals.

Under the supervision of senior colleagues, you will provide planning policy advice on planning applications and pre-application advice requests to agreed timescales.

You will have the opportunity to grow and develop your skills, and address new challenges positively and constructively, working alongside more senior colleagues in the team who will provide you with the right tools and confidence to take your career forward. This is a career-graded post which will enable you to gain an excellent grasp of the challenges of developing and applying planning policies in practice.

The complexity of projects you will get involved in will vary depending on your experience.

The role is based within the Richmond and Wandsworth Shared Staffing Arrangement and will involve working on both Boroughs’ Local Plans.

Who we are

We are part of the Planning and Transport Strategy Division and the Spatial and Transport Planning Service under the wider Environment and Community Services Directorate.

We are positive and ambitious – When you join us, you’ll apply the same approach.

You will

• have a positive attitude and outlook, and a willingness to take on challenges and responsibility;
• take a key role in a progressive team of planning professionals in providing definitive and professional advice for the two Councils;
• bring knowledge and understanding of national, regional and local planning policy and associated legislative requirements and policy guidance;
• have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;
• create and apply planning policy and strategy and deliver successful planning outcomes;
• help to deliver a high quality, robust and transparent Spatial Planning service; and
• ensure decision making within tight time frames and that the Spatial and Transport Planning service is recognised as delivering an excellent planning service for all of our customers.

If you don’t already have a planning qualification, you will also be willing to undertake a postgraduate or other programme of training leading to a recognised planning qualification.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Andrea Kitzberger-Smith, Spatial Planning and Design Team Manager on 020 8891 7364 or email a.kitzberger-smith@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.

What do we offer

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include home working (dependent on service need), and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays.

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Next steps and how to apply

Please register, submit your CV and a supporting statement addressing how you meet the requirements of this role. If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to see if we can offer alternative arrangements for you to apply.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Sunday 14 November 2021

Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 15 November 2021

Interview Date(s): 23 and/or 24 November 2021

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils