About The Role Contract: Permanent Salary: HC09 £39,513 - £43,693 Hours: 37 Location: Hereford Closing Date: 25/05/2025 We are excited to be recruiting for a Senior Planning Officer in the Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning team in Herefordshire. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping and influencing policies that make a real difference to our large rural county which comprises of Hereford city, five market towns and many rural settlements. The Council is looking to fill this position, with the successful candidate needing to demonstrate experience in spatial planning and policy making, and a proven ability to support on high profile plan making documents. This includes leading on and contributing to the Council’s Local Plan, key evidence gathering, other planning policy documents, including neighbourhood planning, annual authority monitoring report and five year housing supply; while providing quality advice on planning policy matters to internal and external stakeholders. You will be required to prepare reports and make recommendations on a range of planning policy matters and to appear on behalf of the Council at the Examination in Public and Planning Appeals. Part of the role will be to contribute towards on-going regional and neighbouring county collaboration. The role will help shape the direction of strategic planning and candidates should have a proven track record of carrying out research and analysis across a range of planning topics. You should demonstrate an aptitude to deliver positive outcomes and promote sustainable development and growth. The successful candidate should demonstrate a sound knowledge of National Planning Policy and Legislation, in particular the Local Plan process, and be familiar with the workings of a professional planning office within local government. This is a key role within a supportive team and we would like you to be ambitious, motivated and ready to manage challenging strategic projects. This post will require eligibility for chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute or relevant post graduate degree, or equivalent level of experience with evidence of a commitment to continuous personal development. If you think that you have the necessary experience and qualifications for this role, we would like to hear from you. If you would like an informal discussion about the post then please contact Siobhan Riddle, Acting Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning Manager: 01432 260142 or siobhan.riddle@herefordshire.gov.uk Benefits of working for Herefordshire Council: A competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes: Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS) Generous Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling Payment of professional membership fees Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts. We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered. The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for: Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme; Those who indicate in their supported statement that they serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, or their families. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant; Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care. Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role. To apply, please submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application form, referring to the job description & person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.