This is a career graded post, designed so the postholder can progress once academic and experience thresholds have been met. This is subject to a vacancy being available and a successful recruitment exercise.
Salary: £27,254 - £39,152 per annum (Depending on relevant experience)
Hours per week: 37 hours
Interview date: To be confirmed following shortlisting
Our Strategic Planning service drives the council’s planning framework which aims to make sustainable development a reality in one of the country’s largest local planning authorities. We are responsible for development plans which aim to deliver sustainable development throughout the county, helping to raise prosperity, regenerate our town centres, boost business and make Wiltshire an even better place to call home.
Our main planning projects are delivering the new Wiltshire Local Plan (incorporating minerals and waste matters), supporting our communities to produce Neighbourhood Plans, and measuring the performance of our development plans.
As an established unitary authority, we can offer the following opportunity to develop your knowledge of planning and shape the future of a thriving county with so much to offer.
We are looking for planning professionals at levels from Assistant Planning Officer up to Planning Officer. You will help support the preparation, monitoring and review of policies and the supporting evidence base for the new Wiltshire Local Plan whilst navigating the new plan-making system.
These roles will include effective data collection and reporting on monitoring indicators, research of planning and industry issues relevant to Wiltshire and the local sub-regional area, and to prepare and deliver reports with recommendations for project leads/teams to use when developing and reviewing policies. Ideally, you will be educated to degree level or equivalent. Working experience in data analysis will be required, as will experience in desktop ICT software (e.g. MS Office) and ideally GIS applications.
Assistant Planning Officer | £27,254 - £28,598 per annum | Role description and person specifications
The Assistant Planning Officer role involves processing and analysis of planning data and evidence to aid forward-planning, and helping ensure the new strategic development plan is based on an up-to-date and robust evidence base, including research into minor policy themes. You will ensure records of housing and employment delivery and supply are accurately maintained to meet the needs of national and local planning policy. The role will also involve managing correspondence and enquiries to and from the service, and providing support to planning officers preparing the new Local Plan and during periods of plan consultation and examination.
Level 1 Planning Officer | £31,537 - £33,699 per annum | Role description and person specifications
The Planning Officer (Level 1) builds upon the skills of the Assistant Planning Officer and, under the guidance of more senior planning officers, will gain experience supporting project teams working on a range of policy themes, minerals and waste, infrastructure, environmental topics, and the development plan’s monitoring framework. This work will develop your skills in the preparation, appraisal, delivery, monitoring and review of development plan policy, associated plans and related guidance.
Level 2 Planning Officer | £37,280 - £39,152 per annum | Role description and person specifications
The Planning Officer (Level 2) develops your skills further with responsibility for delivering projects in relation to the preparation, development, and review of up-to-date planning policy. You will work in project teams on a range of planning policy themes and develop specialist knowledge and expertise, and coordinate aspects of local planning with senior planning officers and managers, and representatives from other services across the council.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.
Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.
We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.
Contact details
Christopher Roe, Planning Manager, [email protected]
Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.
Application criteria
Please download and read the following role description and person specifications carefully before you apply:
Assistant Planning Officer (RT06-0886)
Planning Officer – Level 1 (RT08-2610)
Planning Officer – Level 2 (RT10-0369)
We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivation.
We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.
Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion
Disability Confident Employer
Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).
Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees.
If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.
Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.
