Development Planning Officer

Good to know

• This role can be based at South Wales (Cardiff- St Melons)  or North Wales (Kinmel Park)
• Hybrid working 
• Flexible working possible
• Due to high applicants we may need to close this job advert early so we encourage you to apply promptly 

• If you would like any further information on this role, please contact Matthew.Lord@dwrcymru.com

What you’ll be responsible for

As a Development Planning Officer within our Developer Services team, you will be responsible for managing activity relating to planning matters in one region of our operational area, such as responding to planning applications, pre-planning enquiries and new sewer connections in line with statutory deadlines. To enable you to do this, you will need to work collaboratively with colleagues across the business, providing advice to our customers and keeping them informed of progress. 

Utilising your planning knowledge, you will ensure that our interests are protected at all times and that risks to our Customers, Services and the Environment are minimised.

• Carrying out planning activity such as responding to planning applications, pre-planning enquiries and new sewer connection applications with a view of facilitating development whilst protecting our interests and minimising risks to our customers and the environment. 
• Responsible for ensuring assigned work is completed within agreed timescales while maintaining a high standard of customer service. Work will be assigned by the Lead Development Planning Officer or Planning Liaison Officer to support the delivery of the Scheme's National Levels of Service.
• Manage expectations with external stakeholders engaged in planning activity i.e. LPA, government, regulatory bodies; promoting a more proactive and informed planning function. 
• Engage with officers in LPA areas under your responsibility to ensure they understand DCWW planning consultation responses and make certain they adhere to our advice. 
• Contribute to feasibility studies, hydraulic modelling and water cycle studies by providing relevant information and support when required. Previous experience in these areas is not essential, as full training and support will be provided.
• When necessary provide input into any customer complaints. 
• Compliance with current health and safety legislation and policies at all times during the execution of all activities. 
• Input into, and participate in, monthly reporting and reviews. 
• Compliance with processes and procedures at all times during the execution of all activities. 
• Working collaboratively with planning team colleagues and wider development control function to carry out other duties as required to meet business needs. 

About you

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in Town and Country Planning or similar relevant field. 
• Previous experience in water industry or planning profession
• Good communication skills – both verbal and written
• Experience of stakeholder management
• Able to perform as part of a team
• Ability to work to tight regulatory and project deadlines

Benefits

As well as a market competitive salary, 34 days  annual leave (pro rata, including public holidays), we offer a range of employee benefits and rewards including:

• Variable pay schemes (your salary will always stay the same, but depending on the performance of the company you could receive a yearly bonus)
• Enhanced employer pension contributions – Up to 11% employer contributions
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Progression opportunities, including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes
• Reduction on gym memberships and high street shopping
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car-leasing scheme
• Health CashBack scheme
• An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family

Whilst also working for a not-for profit company that truly cares about earning the trust of customers everyday, and about looking after our beautiful environment.

Who we are

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water keep 3 million people healthy each day with safe, reliable water, and take away wastewater to clean, before returning it safely to our beautiful rivers and seas.

To be able to deliver high quality, essential services which help to protect the health of our customers, colleagues and our environment, we need the right people to deliver on our vision.  This is achieved by living our core values and demonstrating the core behaviours that underpin them.  The security of our people, assets and information is key to us, so we are looking for people who understand and comply with the company’s required security objectives.

We know that the most successful teams are the most diverse teams. Equality, diversity and inclusion provide the very foundation to our culture at Welsh Water. We want every individual to feel confident, proud and able to bring their whole selves to work. 

To ensure an improved representation in our workforce, applications are particularly welcome from minority groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, Females, LGBT+, Non-binary and people with disabilities. Together we continue to build a workplace that not only celebrates the diverse voices of our colleagues but also represents each customer we serve.

In essence, ours is a company based on trust, openness, respect, commitment and honesty. A company that our colleagues are proud to work for.