Planning Support Officer

Are you an organised and customer-focused professional looking to contribute to the vital work of local planning?

We’re looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Planning Support Officer to join our busy and supportive Planning Services team.

Based in Wood Green, Witney, this part-time permanent role offers an exciting opportunity to support planning applications that shape our local communities.

What you’ll be doing:

You’ll play a key part in supporting the smooth running of our planning services by:

• Registering planning applications, checking plans and technical documents for accuracy
• Liaising with applicants, consultees, and Council Members to ensure applications are ready for proper assessment
• Handling application fees, payments, receipts, and refunds via phone and email
• Maintaining accurate internal records and data
• Supporting colleagues across the service as needed

This is a hands-on role in which you'll learn about planning processes while building strong working relationships across departments and with the public.

What we’re looking for:

Essential:

•  GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• Understanding of the planning process or relevant administrative experience
• Strong IT skills, including MS Office
• A customer-first mindset with excellent communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  

• Experience with planning or local government processes
• Familiarity with Uniform IT system (or similar)
• Confident working with members of the public

Special conditions

• There may be a requirement to work at other Publica Group (Support) Ltd and/or client locations to meet the needs of the business
• You will be expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service
• Ability to travel

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Renewed again for another year there is a health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of up to 7% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary