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Senior Planner (Policy), Southend-on-Sea, up to £45,478 per annum (inclusive of the market supplement) depending on experience, permanent contract

Southend-on-Sea City Council is a Unitary Local Authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community.  We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the Southend 2050 ambition and make lives better for the people of Southend.  Southend itself is a vibrant place to live and work, offering coastal living alongside excellent and fast transport links into London.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment.  As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from regulatory services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, social services, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities.  The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

As the Senior Planner, you will play a key role in the preparation of our emerging New Local Plan and supporting evidence base documents. You will also assist the Team Leader in matters relating to a range of sub-regional and regional planning work the city is collaborating on.

Key responsibilities include:

• Playing an important role in shaping the future of Southend as we continue to prepare our New Local Plan
• Contributing to evidence-based documents, monitoring and working with consultants to deliver projects
• Assisting with planning policy formulation and responding to representations
• Working with neighbouring authorities on a number of exciting projects in the wider area
• Preparing responses to a wide range of consultations

Flexible working is available for this role. You may be expected to visit the office weekly/ fortnightly and carry out site visits within the City on an ad hoc basis.

To be successful for this role you will need to have a degree in town or urban planning, geography or similar and have detailed knowledge and experience of the Planning System and local plan process. Eligibility for membership of the RTPI is desirable. Good competency of computer systems, for example GIS, Excel, Uniform, is beneficial and be willing to assist with site visits on an ad hoc basis.

This is a permanent position, paying up to £45,478 per annum (inclusive of the market supplement) depending on experience. You can enjoy a range of benefits including: flexible working (with a blended approach to office and home working), salary sacrifice schemes, 24 days holiday (excluding bank holidays) and excellent training and development opportunities. A full list of benefits provided by Southend-On-Sea City Council can be found on the "Why Work for us” webpage.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call Nicole Wager on 01245 782130. If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. They welcome applications, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief. All applications will be considered solely on merit.