Enforcement Monitoring Officer
£32,952 per annum, 37 hours per week, Permanent contract, Witney/ agile working.
Are you a confident communicator with a passion for doing the right thing and building strong relationships? West Oxfordshire District Council is looking for a motivated Enforcement Monitoring Officer to join our friendly team of five within the Development Management service.
This brand-new post supports the team’s work in protecting the unique character of our district – from the world heritage site at Blenheim to the rural beauty surrounding RAF Brize Norton and our vibrant market towns of Burford, Chipping Norton, Eynsham, Witney and Carterton.
In this varied role you’ll help ensure developments comply with planning regulations, investigate potential breaches and work closely with colleagues across planning policy, landscape, and ecology, as well as developers, residents and elected members. You don’t need previous planning experience – what matters most is the ability to communicate effectively, build trust, and navigate challenging situations with professionalism and tact. A background in compliance, environmental health or community‑based work would be ideal, and strong negotiation skills will help manage difficult conversations when needed.
You’ll enjoy a mix of office‑based and field work (around 50/50), often working independently but with the full support of a collaborative and experienced team. We’re looking for someone with sound judgment, empathy and life experience who can adapt to a wide range of situations. In return, you’ll have the chance to make a visible difference across one of the most diverse and beautiful parts of Oxfordshire, where no two days are ever the same.
Responsibilities
* Investigate potential planning breaches and assess compliance with regulations.
* Coordinate with planning policy, landscape, and ecology teams and other stakeholders.
* Conduct inspections when required and prepare findings for decision makers.
* Build and maintain relationships with developers, residents and elected members.
* Navigate challenging situations professionally and with tact.
Qualifications & Requirements
* A minimum qualification equivalent to NVQ level 3 or A level, and/or three years of relevant experience.
* GCSE Maths and English or equivalent to grade C/4 or higher.
* Ability to build customer relationships.
* Knowledge and experience in assessing complex situations and carrying out inspections when required.
* Ability to remain calm and confident when dealing with challenging customers and environments.
* Ability to resolve complex issues by negotiation.
Special Conditions
* Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes.
* Role is politically restricted – postholders are restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or for a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate for election to a local authority, the House of Commons, or the European Parliament.
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, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service and 33 days following ten years’ continuous service.
* Two extra volunteering days a year to support a charity of your choice.
* Health cash plan for cash back on health, dental and eye care.
* Generous contributory local government pension scheme.
* Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 for supportive advice and counselling.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings on electric cars.
* Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements.
Advert closing date: 6th March
Interview date: 18th March
About the Organisation
West Oxfordshire District Council is a forward‑looking council putting residents first and working in partnership to support communities. We deliver a Council Plan focused on affordable housing, climate and ecological action, economic growth and community building. We also provide essential local services such as planning, housing, waste and recycling collections, leisure centres, community safety and environmental health.
We are accredited as a disability confident scheme and guarantee interview of all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults, young people and children and apply safer recruitment practices to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will complete a pre‑employment medical questionnaire, provide references, proof of identity, nationality and immigration status, and three years of employment or education history.
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