Job title: Senior Technical Project Officer
Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Locatetion: Merrion Centre, Leeds with some flexibility around homeworking.
Introduction
The Technical and Customer Services Team are recruiting a Senior Technical Project Officer.
Technical and Customer Services support a very busy statutory and income generating planning and building control service, working closely in partnership with a range of internal and external stakeholders including The Chief Planning Officer, Development Management, Elected Members, Legal Services, Developers and The Planning Inspectorate.
As the Senior Technical Project Officer you will be responsible for the delivery of specific elements of the governments aspiration to speed up the planning process by ensuring new systems and AI solutions deliver the required functionality to result in a smooth transition of workable processes across Technical and Customer Services.
About you
As a Senior Technical Project Officer you will be:
1. Able to communicate effectively verbally & in writing with a variety of stakeholders
2. Have a confident and organised approach, with a flexible can-do attitude
3. Able to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstance and priorities
4. Have a comprehensive knowledge of all current planning legislation, and significant experience and knowledge of the validation criteria and processes is essential
5. Able to support and promote the development of ICT systems to manage and promote service delivery and the digitisation of the validation and wider planning processes
About the role
As the Senior Technical Project Officer will manage and lead on specific technical projects and service improvements in response to the governments planning reforms and translate these into day to day operational changes and workable validation processes.
The successful candidate will work in collaboration with Cross Council User Groups, Planning Portal & IDOX User Groups to interpret planning legislation and share best practise in validation and wider planning and building control administration processes.
You will provide managerial responsibility for the Validation Team Manager and act as point of contact for advice and guidance on complex technical aspects of the validation process such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the interpretation of planning fee requirements liaising with internal stakeholders to maximise fee generation.
How to apply
Apply for this job online by completing the online application form and uploading your CV
for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
Candidates should be available for interviews in September.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
To take forward government requirements to translate and merge new legislation into the validation criteria and processes
To respond to the drivers of change including technology advancements and emerging government ambitions for planning to identify opportunities for improvement and drive efficiencies to ensure national government targets are met
To manage, monitor and provide technical advice to a wide range of audiences including officers, elected members, the development industry and other customers on complex validation requirements and future government legislative changes
To provide managerial responsibility for the Validation Team Manager and act as a point of contact for advice and guidance on more complex validation processes
To provide reporting mechanisms of both statutory and non statutory information to a wide range of audiences on government targets and service level agreements
Responsibilities for Grade:
6. To act as the service lead for the introduction and integration of an upgraded Uniform (Enterprise) system, ensuring the system capabilities deliver the required processing functionality including system testing
7. To be responsible for managing and developing digital services to support the growing business needs of the service
8. To assist in project and service improvement work ensuring a smooth transition and introduction of workable processes across Technical and Customer Services
9. To provide technical advice and guidance on complex validation requirements to interested parties including potential developers, colleagues, managers, elected members, local councils and community groups.
10. To interpret planning fee requirements based on government legislation liaising with internal stakeholders to maximise fee generation
11. To set up, manage and maintain consultee access and the associated processes
12. To provide quarterly departmental data against national govenerment statistics
13. To undertake managerial responsibility, coaching and training of the Validation Team Manager (SO2)
14. To keep up to date with national legislative and policy changes on the validation criteria including BNG, CIL, and planning fees
15. To take the lead and attend meetings with key external stakeholders and partners including IDOX user group, Planning Portal and sharing best practise with Core Cities and neighbouring Local Planning Authorities on validation criteria and processes
16. Carry out such other duties which may be required by the Technical & Customer Support Team Leader, appropriate to the grade and responsibility of the post and the skills of the post holder
17. To be aware of the Council’s policy on Risk Management and to escalate any new, emerging or potential risks to the post holder’s line manager.
18. To ensure that all necessary data is provided in an accurate, reliable and timely manner, and is fit for purpose in accordance with the Council’s data policies.
19. To work in accordance with the Council’s commitment to provide a healthy and safe working environment including the promotion and implementation of health and safety policies and procedures
Qualifications
Related degree or degree level professional qualification or related experience at a senior level
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements
20. Able to manage and contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance
21. Able to communicate complex technical issues in oral and written form to assist members of the public, staff and Councillors
22. Able to make an effective contribution to internal and external meetings
23. Able to work to strict deadlines with conflicting priorities and to manage personal work and time effectively
24. Able to manage small scale projects from development to implementation
25. Good knowledge and proven experience of the validation criteria and processes
26. Understanding of the role, function and organisation of local government and current issues facing the public sector
27. A detailed understanding of GDPR and its application in the planning process
28. Experience of specialist systems including Uniform, Enterprise, IDOX and bespoke IT scanning equipment
29. Experience of complex regulatory processes including the interpretation of planning fees
30. Experience of interpreting and implementing planning legislation changes
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
31. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
32. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
33. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
34. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
35. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
36. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
37. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities, including developing and agreeing with a Personal Action Plan and achieving its aims and targets.
38. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
39. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
40. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
41. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
42. Ability to interpret plans as part of a planning application submission
43. Ability to collate, interpret and analyse data
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