Planning Enforcement Officer

Job introduction

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

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Job Title: Planning Enforcement Officer

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet by 2025 and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities.   Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The Role: 

• The role of Enforcement Officer is to co-ordinate and provide expert advice in relation to the enforcement of planning control. Conserve the City’s heritage whilst enabling appropriate development across the city to provide a modern, customer focussed, business friendly service
• In the role of Enforcement Officer, the main duties you will be expected to provide include Assist and direct the statutory powers of enforcement and planning control, including the investigating of complaints, the monitoring of development and liaison with other Regulatory bodies
• The Enforcement Officer will handle investigation of complaints, the accurate recording of facts and the preparation of reports concerning alleged breaches of planning control received from councillors, council officers, interest groups and members of the public
• As an Enforcement Officer you will assist the Planning Enforcement Manager in providing advice and guidance to Development Management as required as well as advising complainant and persons responsible for breach of control of actions to be pursued/necessary in relation to any unauthorised development
• For the role of Enforcement Officer there will be a requirement of collection of evidence, the preparation of statements and the presentation of the Council’s case in respect of prosecutions in the Magistrates or Crown Court
• As a Enforcement Officer you will give expert advice on the enforcement of planning control, including whether there has been a breach of control, the appropriate remedial action and the most expedient action in the event of noncompliance with legal notices etc
• Your demonstrable knowledge as an Enforcement Officer will preferably include a background in Town & Country Planning or work in an area requiring the interpretation and implementation of legislation, significant experience of dealing directly in person with members of the public and knowledge of PACE, RIPA, CPI Acts and Human Rights legislation

This role is fixed term for the purpose of a secondment cover within the servuice and will end 05 May 2026.

We’re proud to share that Liverpool City Council has been shortlisted for Planning Authority of the Year at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Regional Awards for Planning Excellence. 

These awards celebrate outstanding achievements in planning across the region, recognising the people, projects, and plans that are shaping our communities for the better.

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (Role dependent) - A “Flexibility First” approach to Agile working where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension scheme – option to join the AVC scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave  
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Next steps:
Closing date: Midnight Monday 23rd June 2025
Shortlisting date: W/C Monday 30th June 2025
Interview date: W/C Monday 7th July 2025

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

If you would like to talk to a member of the team about the role or have an informal discussion, please contact Jeanette Newton at Jeanette.newton@liverpool.gov.uk

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.  Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.