Planning Assistant

BSNI are working with Belfast City Council to recruit a Planning Assistant. This role is temporary.

Job title
Planning Assistant – Planning
Employment type
Temporary
Number of people required
1
Target start date
01 Sep 2026
Duration
13 Weeks

Hours per week
37

Rate
PAYE: £13.45 per hour

Job location
9-21 Adelaide Street, Belfast, Antrim, BT2 8GD, United Kingdom
Work pattern
3 days in office 2 days remote after training period

Main purpose of job

To assist Planning and Place officers in providing support with matters relating to planning, applications and planning control.

To provide the unit support through the provision of responses to planning enquiries from members of the public.

To provide research assistance on planning histories and on other matters as required.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties

Key tasks and responsibilities

To assist in the processing of planning, related applications and breaches of planning control.
Assist in the preparation of reports and agree recommendations with the Senior Planning Officer on planning and related applications.
Liaise with and respond to enquiries relating to planning matters, including those relating to the need for planning permission, from members of the public, in person, writing, phone, email, etc.
To assist planning officers by undertaking site visits in various locations across Belfast using own transport to record site information and to research planning histories and other matters.
To provide cover for and advice to the business support officers in respect of validation, consultation and publicity.
To contribute to continuous improvement in service delivery.
To assist in studies related to the preparation of the new development plan for Belfast City Council area.
To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of Belfast City Council.
To undertake such other relevant duties which may, from time to time, be required.
Essential criteria

Qualifications

Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms:

be studying for a relevant third level qualification, such as Planning and Property Development, or equivalent qualification; and
have a full driving licence which enables the post holder to drive in Northern Ireland and a car available for official business or access to a form of transport which will enable the applicant to meet the requirements of the post.[1]
Experience

This post is suitable for candidates requiring experience in order to progress their careers in the field of Planning. Therefore, they should have an understanding of issues to work within the planning discipline. No experience is essential for this post.

Special skills and attributes

Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they possess the following special skills and attributes which may be tested at interview:

Customer care skills: the ability to respond appropriately to all customers including members of the public, council officers, elected representatives in a helpful and positive way, even in respect of sensitive or difficult issues with the ability to meet their individual needs in a timely manner.  Applicants should also have the ability to create a good impression and enhance the reputation of the Belfast Planning Service when dealing with council officers and the reputation of the council when making contact with the public and external customers.

Oral communication skills: the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and internal and external customers conveying information using appropriate methods being mindful that they represent the council.

Written communication skills; the ability to draft clear and accurate documents using a good standard of literacy and comprehension and the ability to respond to emails using appropriate language and tone.

Team working skills: the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others as a member of a team to contribute to achievement of team objectives and the ability to work unsupervised on own initiative as required.

Work planning and organisational skills: the ability to plan workload and meet team and individual work objectives and an understanding of the importance of accuracy an attention to detail in all aspects of duties.

Information technology skills; the ability to use a range of standard office computer packages including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and databases.

Political sensitivity: the ability to deal with elected representatives and personal or sensitive information appropriately with an understanding of the confidentiality of such information.

Please be advised that this alternative is a reasonable adjustment specifically for applicants with disabilities who, as a result of their disability, are unable to hold a full, current driving licence.  However please also be advised that, given the business need for the post-holder to undertake site visits throughout all areas of Belfast, the reasonableness of this adjustment will be thoroughly considered prior to any appointment being made.

For further information contact Jessica on [phone removed]

BSNI are an acting recruitment agency