Job Description

Salary

Career Grade 8-9 31,382 - 38,162 pa pro rata plus essential car user allowance

Contractual hours

15

Basis

Part time

Region

South

Job category/type

Planning

Date posted

04/08/2025

Job reference

002171

About the Role

We have an opportunity for a part time Planning Officer to join our Development Management team on a fixed term basis for 11 months. 'Development Management' is the 'coal face' of the planning service, part of the Regeneration and Place directorate and incorporates the following elements :
Planning applications and appeals Enforcement Landscape and Arboriculture Heritage and conservation S106 and CIL monitoring




Accordingly, there are 'majors', 'minors' and 'others' teams handling planning applications and appeals. An enforcement team, including team leader, investigation and enforcement planning officers. There is also a Heritage, Landscape and Trees team together with technical support and s106/CIL teams.



There are close working relationships with Building Control and Legal Services. The validation of planning applications is undertaken by Mid Kent Planning Services which is shared with Swale BC.



As a Planning Officer, you will be determining a wide range of applications, including householder, adverts, change of use, breaches, telecommunications, discharge of conditions and Certificates of Lawfulness in an area experiencing one of the highest number of applications in Kent. This will involve liaising with internal and external stakeholders, applicants, agents, Councillors and others involved in the planning process. Attendance at planning committee would be required, when necessary, the committee meets once a month and meetings take place in the evening, at Maidstone's Town Hall.



The working pattern for this position can be considered at between 15 to 18 hours per week. This role is being offered on a hybrid working basis, with office based working at least one day per week.

About Maidstone Borough Council

Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.



We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.



At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.

Our Offer

A range of benefits including:
Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave. Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year. Free parking Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people's home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time. Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family. Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax. Annual flu vaccine Cycle to work scheme Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You

We are looking for a strong team player, with enthusiasm and a real desire to make further improvement happen and take initiative.



You will have a degree in a relevant subject, or the equivalent, with experience of dealing with planning applications, planning enforcement and/or appeals.



You will also have self-organisation and strong IT skills and be able to meet deadlines. For this post you will need to have a keen customer focus and have experience working with members of the public as well as excellent written and verbal communication.



You will require a valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel around the borough to visit sites as required.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.



Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.



If you would like to discuss this position, please contact:



Diane Chaplin, Joint Team Leader, Householder Team on 01622 602070, or Rachael Elliott, Joint Team Leader, Householder Team on 01622 602466

& Person Specification

Interview Date: Thursday 28 August 2025