Planning Technician
Location: Northamptonshire - Hybrid
Salary: £20 p/h
Contract: Full-time, 3 months contract
We're looking for a Planning Technician to join West Northamptonshire Council's Planning Service and provide essential technical and administrative support across Planning Policy, Development Management, Street Naming & Numbering, and Planning Enforcement.
This is a great opportunity for someone organised, confident with data and systems, and interested in developing their skills within a busy planning environment.
About the role
As a Planning Technician, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the Planning Service. Your responsibilities will include:
Providing technical and administrative support across the Planning Service.
Managing shared email inboxes and responding to public enquiries professionally and promptly.
Supporting the monitoring and response to customer, MP and Councillor enquiries and complaints.
Entering, maintaining and collating data from planning databases and mapping systems.
Registering, validating and processing planning applications and related submissions.
Acting as an IT superuser, offering support and training to colleagues on planning systems.
Calculating planning application fees and processing payments.
Coordinating printing, collating and distributing consultation materials.
Organising venues and logistics for meetings, events and public exhibitions.
- Processing Street Naming & Numbering applications in line with Council policy.
About you
We're looking for someone who can bring:
Strong communication skills and the ability to deliver excellent customer service under pressure.
Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
Competence in Microsoft Office and experience using document management systems.
Basic understanding of planning processes, with the ability to interpret plans, maps and policy documents.
Numeracy and literacy skills equivalent to GCSE Grade C/Level 4 in Maths and English.
Willingness and ability to travel to various sites and undertake site visits, including navigating uneven ground and using ladders or scaffolding when required.
An understanding of equal opportunities and the needs of diverse communities.
Desirable experience includes:
Using planning systems and GIS.
Knowledge of planning legislation and practice.
Ability to take measurements and calculate areas, volumes and fees.
