Planning Technical Officer

About the role:

We have an opportunity to join our busy, friendly Planning Service and help keep the whole department running smoothly. As a Planning Technical Officer, you’ll play a vital role supporting planning applications, investigations, and local plan work—while developing technical skills in data management, GIS, and planning systems.

What You’ll Do

• Provide admin and technical support across the Planning function
• Support planning committees, appeals, hearings, and consultations
• Maintain planning systems, datasets, and shared email inboxes, responding to requests for information from stakeholders, members of the public and colleagues.
• Ensure effective communication is maintained between the Planning service and Mid Kent Planning Support
• Data gathering and assisting with S106 requests, FOIs & complaints
• Maintain the Planning and Local Plan website
• Produce mapping and spatial data using MapInfo GIS

This role is part time, working 25 hours per week Monday to Friday, on a 12 month fixed term contract. We offer a hybrid working arrangement, combining time in the office (2 days per week) with the flexibility to also work from home. You will also need to be able to travel independently to sites across the borough and be prepared to attend out-of-hours meetings, site visits, as required.

 

About Swale Borough Council:

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer:

A range of benefits including:

• 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work 
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax. 
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role

 

About You:

You will be a highly motivated and organised individual with GCSE level qualifications including English & Maths, or equivalent, and excellent ICT skills. You will have great communication skills with the ability to adapt as appropriate for the audience.

You will have your own means of transport to travel across the borough as needed, and be flexible to attend out of hours meetings/site visits as required.

                                                                                

Selection Process:

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Sara Potter, Customer Focus and Business Support Manager – sarapotter@swale.gov.uk / 01795 417308

Job Description and Person Specification

Interview Date: 13^th May 2026