Highways Development Management Graduate

Overview

The Graduate Highways Development Management Officer is responsible for assessing development proposals, providing statutory highway consultation responses to the planning authority. In addition, you will learn to provide professional advice to planning authorities, developers, and other stakeholders relating to planned development across the Council on behalf of the Highway Authority.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

About the role

You will be required to provide statutory highway consultation responses to minor planning applications on behalf of the Council, giving professional advice to the planning authority within statutory timescales. You will need to consider planning proposals in accordance with highways and planning policy and advice of Government and the planning authority to ensure compliance. As part of this role, you will be participating in negotiations with developers and appointed professional agents through the planning process to secure appropriate financial and/or physical infrastructure improvements, services, and initiatives from development proposals.

This is an exciting time to join a team that believes in developing their staff. You gain experience of collaborative working on interesting sites within Buckinghamshire. We are a solution-focused team and encourage innovative forward thinking. This is your opportunity to make your mark on development sites within Buckinghamshire.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide technical highway and transportation advice on pre-application enquiries up to 20 dwellings (or equivalent sqm), liaising directly with developers, agents, and Local Planning Authorities.
• Provide statutory planning consultation response on behalf of the county council giving professional advice to the Planning Authority within statutory timeframes, dealing with applications up to 20 dwellings (or equivalent sqm).
• Prepare statements for appeals that require written representation and where deemed appropriate attend and present evidence at informal hearings.
• Support Senior Highway Development Management Officers and, where appropriate, attend planning committee supporting recommendations which they have made in relation to planning applications.
• Respond to complaints and queries relating to applications for which you are responsible. This requires engagement with residents, parish and town councils, and other committees and panels.
• Liaise with planning officers on applications and pre-application enquiries. Provide additional clarification or information in support of their recommendation, as required.

Any-Desk:

As an 'any-desk' worker, you'll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will have a degree in a relevant subject, such as Geography, Civil Engineering (or similar), and wish to join a dedicated team where you can make a difference. You will have a full driving license and access to a car, enabling you to undertake site visits independently. You will be confident speaking to internal and external stakeholders and customers. We’re looking for someone who is ambitious, caring, collaborative, and takes accountability for being the best they can be.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve in Buckinghamshire and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth, and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport, and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs, and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration, and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth, and Sustainability function, you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserve recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various cafés, restaurants, shops, and auto enrollment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva, and much more.