We are offering three student placements within our busy planning department for 2025/26 with opportunities available to work in our development management, planning policy, and neighbourhood planning teams, and as part of our digital projects. The placements will be offered on a year-long basis and aim to provide valuable experience of working within a large local authority planning department.
The placements would suit students who either have the requirement or the opportunity to take a year out of full-time education in order to gain practical work experience in the planning sector. They will cover a period of 12 months. It is anticipated that the successful candidates would begin their placement in Summer 2025 (subject to agreement of a suitable start date).
The posts offer opportunities to get involved with a wide range of work streams, which include policy formulation, the assessment of planning applications, community engagement, evidence gathering, analysis, and reporting. You will be allocated a mentor to provide support and guidance during the placement. In return you should bring energy, creativity, problem solving and careful attention to detail.
The job benefits from flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
ROLE OF THE JOB
The precise role within the planning service that you are assigned to will vary according to business needs and your skills and preferences. The Development Management Team
is responsible for the assessment and determination of a range of planning applications across Northumberland. They deal with the general public daily, both as applicants and those objecting to proposals, and also interact with various specialists and stakeholders who provide advice on the proposals. Development Management is split into three teams, with each team covering a different area of the County. Within this team you would be responsible for managing a caseload of planning applications. You will learn about the process of assessing and determining a planning application from initial receipt to issuing the decision. The Planning Policy Team
is responsible for the preparation of the statutory development plan, and associated planning guidance, which is used as the basis of determining planning applications. Within this team you would be responsible for developing evidence around certain topics and would assist with monitoring the implementation of the plan. You would be involved in research and provide policy advice on planning applications and pre-application enquiries to inform the development management process. The Neighbourhood Planning Team
provides support to the Parish and Town Councils in Northumberland who are preparing neighbourhood plans. There are many Neighbourhood Plans at various stages of preparation, and each presents its own unique set of local planning issues and challenges. You would have an opportunity to get involved in helping communities prepare their plans and associated evidence and help them to progress their plans through the regulatory stages. Digital Planning
The Council is committed to enabling a modern and efficient planning system, including the development of digital tools, platforms and systems. We are working in various ways to shift the current documents-based system to one that is powered by data and modern user-centred products and services. You would have the opportunity to input and potentially help lead this transition. REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
Working towards obtaining a relevant degree or professional qualification in Town Planning (RTPI accredited) or an associated profession Knowledge of the operational, procedural and practical issues relating to spatial planning and development management. Effective Communication skills Model high standards of honesty, integrity, openness, and respect for others A UK driving license is desirable Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including: 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees) Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme Flexi scheme (if applicable) - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees) To see all our excellent benefits and perks, please click
here. Further Information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes
here . We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email
hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk
or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post. Alternative application format: British Sign Language:
northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss:
Text relay service
dial 018001 01670 623930 Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The precise role within the planning service that you are assigned to will vary according to business needs and your skills and preferences. The Development Management Team
is responsible for the assessment and determination of a range of planning applications across Northumberland. They deal with the general public daily, both as applicants and those objecting to proposals, and also interact with various specialists and stakeholders who provide advice on the proposals. Development Management is split into three teams, with each team covering a different area of the County. Within this team you would be responsible for managing a caseload of planning applications. You will learn about the process of assessing and determining a planning application from initial receipt to issuing the decision. The Planning Policy Team
is responsible for the preparation of the statutory development plan, and associated planning guidance, which is used as the basis of determining planning applications. Within this team you would be responsible for developing evidence around certain topics and would assist with monitoring the implementation of the plan. You would be involved in research and provide policy advice on planning applications and pre-application enquiries to inform the development management process. The Neighbourhood Planning Team
provides support to the Parish and Town Councils in Northumberland who are preparing neighbourhood plans. There are many Neighbourhood Plans at various stages of preparation, and each presents its own unique set of local planning issues and challenges. You would have an opportunity to get involved in helping communities prepare their plans and associated evidence and help them to progress their plans through the regulatory stages. Digital Planning
The Council is committed to enabling a modern and efficient planning system, including the development of digital tools, platforms and systems. We are working in various ways to shift the current documents-based system to one that is powered by data and modern user-centred products and services. You would have the opportunity to input and potentially help lead this transition. REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
Working towards obtaining a relevant degree or professional qualification in Town Planning (RTPI accredited) or an associated profession Knowledge of the operational, procedural and practical issues relating to spatial planning and development management. Effective Communication skills Model high standards of honesty, integrity, openness, and respect for others A UK driving license is desirable Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including: 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees) Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme Flexi scheme (if applicable) - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees) To see all our excellent benefits and perks, please click
here. Further Information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes
here . We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email
hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk
or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post. Alternative application format: British Sign Language:
northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss:
Text relay service
dial 018001 01670 623930 Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
