Senior Planning Officer (Town Planning) £29,874 Our client is a forward thinking local authority, based in one of the most attractive areas of the country. They are looking for a professional, competent and enthusiastic person who is able to communicate well at all levels. An excellent benefits package is on offer including annualised hours (flexible working) and a final salary pension scheme. Position: Senior Planning Officer Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week Contract + duration: 6 month Location: Abingdon Salary: £29,874 Benefits: final salary pension scheme: flexible annualised hours working arrangement; Employee Assistance Programme; Childcare Voucher scheme; numerous well-being initiatives Closing date: 12 noon on 27 July 2012 Interview date: 21 August 2012 ROLE: The purpose of the post is to progress the preparation of the next draft of the Council's replacement Local Plan (Core Strategy), taking responsibility for progressing specific chapters or topics. This will include evidence base development, preparation of background topic papers, and writing plan chapters and policies. RESPONSIBILITIES: a) Oversee and assist in the production of documents making up the local development framework. b) Carry out research into a variety of topics as part of the work on the preparation of the LDF and other policy documents. c) Write briefs, employ consultants and manage contracts for specialist work and projects. d) Prepare draft sections of the LDF and supplementary planning documents and papers and reports on the LDF and other planning policy issues, including consultation documents for officers and Members. Attend meetings (including evening meetings when requested). ESSENTIAL SKILLS / EXPERIENCE: a) A degree or diploma in Town Planning, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience. b) Chartered membership or eligibility for Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute. c) Minimum of 2 years experience of working in a planning office. d) Experience of working within a customer focused environment dealing with the public. e) Ability to interpret scale drawings and read maps. f) A good knowledge of Planning Legislation. g) Diplomatic, tactful and able to maintain discretion in difficult circumstances. h) Recent experience of developing and drafting policies for local plans / development plan documents is highly desirable. i) Must be able to start in the post one month from date of offer of employment. You may have experience of the following: Town Planning Officer, Policy Planning Officer, Urban Planning Officer, Development Control Planner, Spatial Planning Officer, Planning Policy Officer, Planning Consultant, Transport Planner, Town Planning, Town Planner, Policy Planner, Urban Regeneration Planner, Senior Planning Officer, RTPI, Space Planner, etc. Please note that all candidates who meet the essential criteria will be contacted via email and asked to complete an on-line application process. You will need to complete this process before the closing date otherwise your application will not be considered. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 27th July 2011 Because our client's application process consists of completing a detailed application form please be aware that if you apply within 48 hours of the closing date we may not be able to process your application quickly enough in order for you to complete the final stage. This vacancy is being advertised by Easy Web Recruitment, the UK's leading Online Recruitment Agency. The services advertised by Easy Web Recruitment are those of an employment agency.