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By working 36 hours per week, the role has a starting salary of £33,553 per annum. Two Planning Officers will join our Development Management Team, handling planning applications for Minerals and Waste development as well as the County Council’s own projects.
About the Position
This is a Professional Development Programme (PDP) in the Environment and Planning directorate. The post offers a formal career development path, with training to gain a planning qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. It is aimed at entry‑level candidates or those with some related experience.
Our Offer to You
* A structured Professional Development Programme, including opportunities to gain new skills, experience and a planning qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute
* 26 days of holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years service and 31 days after 5 years service
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* A generous local government pension
* Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
* Paternity, adoption and dependent leave
* An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and well‑being
* Access to a learning and development hub with a wealth of resources
* Well‑being and lifestyle discounts, including gym, travel and shopping
* A chance to make a tangible difference to Surrey’s environment and communities
About the Role
The team sits within the Council’s Place directorate and is responsible for delivering Surrey County Council’s statutory planning function for Minerals and Waste as well as Council‑owned development. We provide an efficient, professional service to applicants and assist in the delivery of development to improve community services.
As a Planning Officer, you will be part of the team handling pre‑application advice requests and determining all types of planning applications in the Minerals and Waste, and Regulation 3 (County Council development) functions.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage a caseload of pre‑application advice requests and planning applications
* Carry out site visits across the County
* Liaise with applicants
* Engage with stakeholders such as consultees, elected Councillors and those making representations on planning applications
* Draft reports and make recommendations
* Participate in Planning and Regulatory Committees as required
* Assist other Planning Officers on complex applications as needed
Qualifications and Skills
* Good working knowledge of land‑use planning in England and ambition to develop a career as a planner
* Capability to work collaboratively and independently, manage workload and adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic environment
* Excellent communication skills, able to convey information clearly, concisely and respectfully, both verbally and in writing
* Ability to work inclusively with a diverse range of stakeholders, analyze, interpret and evaluate relevant data, and resolve issues to support decision‑making
* Valid UK driving licence and willingness to travel across a wide geographical area; access to a vehicle is required
* Reasonable adjustments will be made for successful applicants with a disability or long‑term health condition
Application Process
To be considered for shortlisting, please submit a CV and answer the following four questions (within the specified word limits):
* What has motivated you to apply for the role of Planning Officer? (150 words)
* What relevant experience or transferable skills could you bring to this role? (200 words)
* What do you think the key challenges are that Planning Officers are likely to face and how would you manage them? (200 words)
* Describe a time you had to work towards simultaneous deadlines. Explain how you organised yourself and what you learned from this experience. (200 words)
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/05/2026 with interviews to follow.
Additional Context
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. Employees on 1st April 2027 will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations.
We are a disability‑confident employer. If you have a disability that, if disclosed on your application form and if you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. All applicants are welcome and will be supported with any adjustments necessary.
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