Planning Officer

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This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.

• Job Title:
  
  Planning Officer
• Job Location:
  
  Shire Hall, Block 5, 5th Floor
• Contract Type:
  Permanent
• Closing Date: 13/09/2026
• Job Requisition Number: 14644
• This post is not open to job share

Are you passionate about the environment, sustainability and the future of places? Are you looking for a career where you can influence real world decisions and help tackle some of society's biggest challenges, including climate change, resource management, biodiversity recovery and the transition to a circular economy?

Whether you're a recent planning graduate, an early-career planner, or someone with a background in geography, environmental science, geology, earth sciences, sustainability or a related discipline, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

We are seeking a Planning Officer to join our friendly and experienced Minerals & Waste Policy Team at an exciting moment in Gloucestershire’s future. We are about to begin preparing a new Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan, creating a rare opportunity to help shape how the county manages its natural resources, plans for future development, supports sustainable growth and protects the environment for generations to come.

This role offers the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience across the full spectrum of plan-making. Working alongside experienced professionals, you will develop highly transferable skills in research, policy writing, evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement, public consultation and strategic thinking, providing an outstanding foundation for a rewarding career.

For those pursuing a planning career, the role provides an excellent environment in which to build professional competence and gain the practical experience needed to work towards Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI). Equally, for candidates from related disciplines who are curious about a future in planning, the role offers an exceptional introduction to a profession that sits at the heart of balancing environmental, social and economic priorities.

As a Planning Officer within our Minerals & Waste Policy Team, you will support the preparation of the new Gloucestershire Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan and contribute to a wide range of planning policy, evidence gathering and stakeholder engagement activities.

You will become involved in every stage of the plan-making process, gaining exposure to work that many planners only experience in specialist areas or later in their careers. This breadth of experience will provide an excellent platform for developing professional competence and building practical experience across a wide spectrum of planning activities.

Your work will include:

• Supporting the preparation of the new Joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan.
• Assisting with the collection, analysis and interpretation of planning evidence.
• Undertaking research into environmental, economic and planning issues.
• Contributing to public consultation and community engagement activities.
• Drafting planning policy documents, reports and supporting material.
• Supporting Sustainability Appraisal and other plan-making assessments.
• Working with local authorities, statutory bodies, community groups, environmental organisations and industry representatives.
• Contributing to monitoring and reporting on minerals and waste planning matters.
• Helping to identify future planning challenges and opportunities relating to resources, infrastructure and environmental protection.

The team is small, experienced, collaborative and highly supportive. We believe in providing meaningful responsibility and opportunities from the outset, giving colleagues exposure to all aspects of plan-making rather than limiting them to narrow areas of work.

We have a strong track record of mentoring and developing planning professionals, including apprentices and early-career planners. You will receive support, guidance and encouragement from experienced colleagues who understand the importance of professional development and helping others succeed. Regular mentoring and coaching will help you…