Planning Officer

Job Advert

Planning Officer

Location: Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Salary: £40,234 to £43,902 inclusive annual salary plus £1,500 annual market supplement, essential car user allowance and Local Government Pension Scheme
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing Date: Monday 2 November 2026
Job Ref: P1492

Flexible working options including hybrid

About the Role

We are looking for talented individuals who can contribute to the delivery of a high performing customer focused service.

We welcome applications from candidates with Licentiate membership of the RTPI or who are eligible for membership and have demonstrable experience of working on a range of planning cases involving Conservation Areas, Listed Building and minor developments.

The Planning Officer will be responsible for determining a diverse range of planning applications and appeal work, developing your knowledge of planning related legislation and delivering positive outcomes to our customers and residents.

Our Officers take a lead on the consideration and negotiation of planning applications and provide professional expertise at Committees, Planning Appeals and Enforcement cases as required. This includes making delegated decisions, presenting to committees, engaging with colleagues, Councillors and other stakeholders to ensure the right planning outcome.

About You

As a Planning Officer, you will deal with a range of applications as part of the Development Management Team.

The ideal candidate needs to be a strong team player who is well organised, articulate in spoken and written communication and able to take the initiative to help drive forward individual projects and the team’s overall objectives.

Join us to make a positive impact in our community by putting sustainability at the heart of everything we do, while living our values of trust, care, collaboration, confidence and customer focus.

St Albans is a unique English Cathedral City with a colourful history which can be seen in the Roman remains and variety of beautiful architecture, heritage sites and conservation areas. Set within green belt, off the M25, A1M and M1 the District includes a cathedral, vibrant city centre and thriving villages. Our centrally located offices in the city are near to the station (London St Pancras 20 minutes), shops and restaurants. In short it is a great place to live and work.

Benefits

In addition to working within a great team and a comprehensive salary you will have access to:

• 28.5 days basic annual leave (increasing with service) + bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Staff Parking Permit
• Reimbursement of professional fees
• Comprehensive development and training
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• Access to discounts and benefits via online platform

Please note: annual leave will be pro-rated for anyone who does not have a standard full-time pattern of 37 hours over 5 days, e.g. part-timers.

We Are Changing

St Albans City and District Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by St Albans City and District Council on 1 April 2028, it is expected that the majority of roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. We hope you will be part of that journey with us.

A detailed job description and person specification are published on the advert for this role. The person specification sets out the criteria we use to assess applicants. The Council reserves the right to reject applicants at the shortlisting stage, where the application process has not been completed correctly.

Interviews are conducted throughout the application process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy at an earlier date and we strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets all the essential criteria for the post.

English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check.