Planning Service Support

• Maintain and update planning records and management information systems.
• Provide technical and administrative support to planning casework and operational processes.
• Assist with validation and consultation activities relating to planning applications where required.
• Support chargeable planning services and ensure associated income is accurately recorded and reported.
• Manage updates to Planning Service webpages and customer-facing information.
• Contribute to service improvement projects, digital transformation, self-service development, and commercial initiatives.

Training and Team Support

• Provide coaching and on-the-job training to Planning Technicians, apprentices, junior officers, and new team members.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing and the development of best practices.
• Work flexibly across the Planning Service to meet changing service demands and priorities.
• Participate in appraisal, performance management, and continuous professional development activities.

Compliance and Performance

• Ensure compliance with planning legislation, information governance requirements, Council policies, financial regulations, and customer service standards.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Monitor and report on service performance indicators.
• Contribute to achieving departmental targets and objectives.

Essential Experience

• Experience in administrative, technical, customer service, or business support roles.
• Experience managing complaints, enquiries, or customer correspondence.
• Experience of working with databases, record management systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience producing reports, performance data, or management information.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience of financial administration, including purchase orders, invoicing, reconciliations, or income monitoring.
• Experience communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within a Planning, Local Government, Regulatory, or Public Sector environment.
• Experience managing FOI, EIR, GDPR, or information governance requests.
• Experience undertaking document redaction and information disclosure processes.
• Experience supporting planning application processes.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring colleagues.
• Experience working with financial management systems and debt recovery processes.
• Experience contributing to service improvement or process review projects.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent qualification and/or relevant work experience.
• GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 4/C or above in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Business Administration, Customer Service, Information Governance, Finance, Planning, or Local Government qualification.
• ILM, NVQ, AAT, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Freedom of Information, GDPR, Data Protection, or Information Governance training.
• Planning-related qualification or experience working towards one.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet competing deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation, policies, procedures, and technical information.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong numerical and financial administration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and database systems.
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
• Ability to produce professional reports and written correspondence.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Additional Information

• Location: 1 Catford Road, Catford, London, Greater London, SE6 4RU, United Kingdom
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Working Pattern: Two days per week in the office and three days remote working following successful completion of training.
• Pay Rate: £28.87 per hour (Limited Company/Umbrella)
• The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly across the Planning Service to support operational requirements and service priorities.
• The role involves regular interaction with members of the public, planning applicants, developers, elected members, solicitors, consultants, external organisations, and internal stakeholders.
• Ongoing professional development and participation in performance management and appraisal processes will be required.
• All duties must be carried out in accordance with Council policies, procedures, financial regulations, information governance requirements, and health and safety standards.
• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
• Start Date: Immediate start available
• Closing Date: Applications closing soon – early applications are encouraged