Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Part time
Advert Start Date:
09/11/2026
Advert End Date:
22/11/2026 23:59
Salary:
Grade 7 £31,015 - £31,811 (pro-rata)
Job Category:
Planning / Building Control
Employment Location:
Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham (Hybrid working options available)
Further Information
Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing the built environment? Do you enjoy investigating issues, solving problems, and working with a wide range of people? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join our Planning Service as an Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer.
As part of a busy area-based Development Management Team, you will play an important role in supporting the delivery of an effective planning enforcement service. Working alongside experienced enforcement professionals, you will help investigate breaches of planning control, support enforcement action where necessary, and contribute to maintaining high-quality places across the area.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in planning enforcement, development management, or a related planning discipline.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
In this varied and rewarding role, you will:
- Investigate and respond to complaints regarding potential breaches of planning control.
- Undertake site inspections and monitor approved developments to ensure compliance with planning permissions and conditions.
- Work with residents, businesses, developers, and other stakeholders to resolve planning issues through negotiation where possible.
- Manage a caseload of minor planning enforcement matters and support investigations into more complex cases.
- Assist in preparing reports, recommendations, and statutory enforcement documentation.
- Support the preparation of evidence for planning appeals and legal proceedings.
- Provide advice and guidance to members of the public, elected members, and colleagues on planning enforcement matters.
- Assist senior officers with multi-agency projects and enforcement initiatives.
- Contribute to achieving service performance standards and delivering excellent customer service.
We encourage you to contact Susan Porter, Principal Enforcement Officer, Susan.Porter@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need to have an NVQ4 in Business Administration or equivalent in a relevant subject OR significant recent experience of development control and planning enforcement procedures and processes or other regulatory enforcement services.
We're looking for someone who is:
- Organised, methodical, and able to manage a varied workload.
- An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Confident dealing with members of the public and a wide range of stakeholders.
- Able to analyse information and make reasoned recommendations.
- Committed to delivering high standards of customer service.
- Comfortable working independently as well as part of a team.
- Interested in planning, development, the built environment, or regulatory services.
Applicants with experience in planning, enforcement, local government, environmental regulation, property, legal services, or customer-focused investigation work are encouraged to apply.
Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held w/c 30th November 2026.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentREG@durham.gov.uk
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
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