The Assistant Planner will work under the supervision of a Senior Executive Planner, and such planning or ancillary services as may be required in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties including the duty of assisting the Senior Planner, or other appropriate professional officer, in the supervision of the planning or ancillary services and when required to do so, to deputise for Executive Planners.
 

• Assessment and making of recommendations on planning applications in line with all relevant national, regional, and local plans and policies, and in accordance with the appropriate legislation and guidelines as required.
• Conduct pre-application consultations and provision of planning advice to members of the public, internal departments and to the elected members.
• Assisting in the preparation of the County Development Plan, Local Area Plans, and other planning policy reports and studies
• Carry out survey work, research, analysis, drafting policies and proposals, preparing written statements and maps and other work as required on the agreed work programme, including but not limited to, plans, other planning strategies and studies, urban and rural renewal strategies, urban design, and public realm strategies.
• Undertake site visits and preparing reasoned recommendations in relation to planning enforcement, including attendance at court cases, and presenting evidence.
• Responding to planning queries, monitoring of data and completions of returns etc. from other Council departments and national and regional Government / statutory agencies, external bodies as directed.
• Build and maintain co-operative working relationships and supervision of staff as required.
• Represent the Council at meetings with staff, elected members, community and general interest groups as required.
• Any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. CHARACTER

2. HEALTH

3. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

1. Candidates shall hold a qualification in Planning (at least level 8 on the National Framework

2. have at least two years satisfactory experience of planning work; and

3. possess a high standard of technical training and experience.

1. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
2. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
3. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
4. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or
5. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or
6. A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

• Good knowledge of planning legislation and the principles, practices, and techniques of planning
• An understanding of strategy formulation process for the realisation of organisational goals and objectives
• Good knowledge of current and future planning issues facing Co. Westmeath
• A strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services.
• An ability to work positively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• An ability to demonstrate competence in the following areas – Identifying problems and contributing to solutions, communicating effectively, and delivering quality work and services.
• Good report writing skills and strong IT skills.
• Good knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire same, of local government functions, services, and activities particularly in relation to planning and development.
• An ability to deal effectively with conflicting demands.
• An ability to work effectively under pressure and manage several programmes and projects at any one time.
• An ability to think laterally, maintaining a solution orientated mind-set in dealing with a wide range of issues.
• Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.