Senior Technical Officer (Contaminated Land)

Job title: Senior Technical Officer (Contaminated Land) – Grade SO2

Salary: SO2 £38,510 - £40,444

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8BB

Are you interested in a hands-on role that’s vital to planning decisions in Leeds, helping us ensure new developments are safe and sustainable? Do you have good IT skills and the ability to convey technical information clearly to different audiences?

We ‘re looking for a committed, enthusiastic Senior Technical Officer to join our contaminated land team and help us fulfil our obligations under the National Planning Policy Framework and Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

As one of the leading authorities for the regulation of land contamination, Leeds City Council can offer you a rewarding role, with a varied caseload and opportunities for career development.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council valuesand ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Technical Officer (Contaminated Land), you will be a team player, self-motivated and with relevant experience gained in the public or private sector. The qualifications and skills you need include:

• a degree in an appropriate discipline (such as land contamination, environmental or earth science, chemistry)
• understanding of land contamination provisions in legislation and planning procedures
• knowledge of best practice for investigation and remediation of contaminated land
• well-developed IT skills
• good working knowledge of GIS
• ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

About the role

As Senior Technical Officer (Contaminated Land), you will be a key member of the contaminated land team in our planning and sustainable development service.

You will investigate and report on land contamination issues to help the council assess the suitability of sites for proposed development. You will analyse reports submitted with planning applications and undertake any further investigations. You will advise planning officers on identified contamination, its implications and remediation.

You will contribute to Leeds City Council’s Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy, by writing Phase I Desk Studies, conducting soil sampling and writing up Phase II Site Investigation reports.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Stella Keenan on [phone removed] or Greg Gibson on [phone removed].

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Working as part of a team, to provide technical advice and guidance to assist the City Council within the Contaminated Land team particularly in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to land contamination under the relevant planning advice and Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In particular, to respond to planning consultations and undertake Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy work.

The postholder will work as a member of the Contaminated Land Team and will maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within the Directorate, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day duties of the Contaminated Land Team/function (Environment & Design Group).
• To assess reports accompanying planning consultations regarding land contamination and provide a written response as to the implications for human health and the environment including:
  • Phase I (desk study) reports
  • Phase II (intrusive site investigation) reports
  • Risk assessments
  • Remediation statements
  • Verification reports
• To provide advice to Planning Services case officers on the adequacy of the submitted reports and the implications of the information provided with respect to whether sufficient work has been completed to demonstrate that risks associated with contamination have been addressed.
• To recommend to Planning Services case officers the most appropriate means of securing, where necessary, the remediation of identified contamination to ensure that sites are ‘suitable for use’ through specifying those planning conditions and directions to be attached to planning permissions.
• To communicate the council’s policies, strategies and procedures with respect to land contamination and the planning process to council officers and the public.
• To participate in the work of the team in relation to Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 including undertaking and writing up Phase I Desk Studies and Phase II Site Investigations.
• To maintain an awareness of changes in legislation, policy and procedures relevant to the job and to ensure that such changes are taken into account in all matters dealt with.
• To demonstrate the ability to manage workload in accordance with Council priorities and Line Manager guidance.
• To have an understanding of LCC processes, procedures and regulations.
• To ensure good quality customer care standards are provided.
• To abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
• To abide by the Council’s No Smoking Policy.
• To undertake such other duties commensurate with the responsibilities and grad