About The Role
Technical Caseworker – Planning Validation Team
We are looking for a Technical Caseworker to join our Planning Validation Team, supporting the wider Development Management Team.
You will play a key role in ensuring our planning service operates efficiently and accurately, providing excellent customer support and helping maintain high standards across all casework.
* This role plays a key part in the planning process by supporting the validation of planning applications, ensuring they meet required standards before progressing through the system
* Working in a small team of technical caseworkers you will be required to undertake casework processing and validating planning applications for the Planning Services on behalf of our partner Councils.
* You will be the first point of contact for routine service requests and enquiries from the public regarding planning applications and validation matters, communicating via phone, email, and other channels.
* Working within established legislation, policy, and procedures, you'll provide accurate information, escalate complex queries where appropriate, and maintain detailed and confidential records
* The role also involves managing your workload effectively to meet service targets, while contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the planning function.
Key Responsibilities
* Handle routine service requests and casework enquiries.
* Work within prescribed legislation, policies, and procedures.
* Capture and maintain accurate customer and organisational records.
* Escalate complex cases to technical colleagues as required.
* Manage workload to meet targets and service standards.
* Work with discretion, integrity, and maintain confidentiality.
* Undertake other duties reasonably required, including support in emergency management situations.
You will need…
* Excellent customer service skills.
* Minimum of 5 qualifications equivalent to NVQ Level 2 or GCSE Grade C/4 or above. - Must include Maths and English or demonstrable relevant equivalent experience.
* Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
* Competent in using a range of technology and software packages.
* Ability to process and resolve a range of casework enquiries to the required standard.
* Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Desirable but not essential: Previous experience in a planning or technical casework role.
For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.
Special Conditions
* There may be a requirement to work at other Publica Group (Support) Ltd and/or client locations to meet the needs of the business
* You will be expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service
* Ability to travel
What we can do for you
* Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
* Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
* 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
* Renewed again for another year there is a health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
* Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of up to 7% of your earnings
* Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
* Cycle to work scheme
* Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
* Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
* Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
* Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary
Watch our new 'What is Publica' video to see why its great to join us
About Us
You will be employed by Publica Group Ltd which was created by four partner Councils (West Oxfordshire District Council, Cotswold District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Forest of Dean District Council) to deliver more efficient and improved services.
Publica is a unique place to work, established to transform the way local services are delivered, fundamentally rethinking the way our services are designed and delivered in a digital era, making us a customer-focused organisation driven by real user needs.