Planning Enforcement Officer/Senior Planning Enforcement Officer

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create an inclusive workplace culture, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

The Enforcement Officer role sits within the Planning Development Management team, which supports the growth of the city and manages development from inception to delivery. We’re a friendly and forward-thinking team that helps one another. We have a can-do approach and are always striving to improve our service. We recognise the importance of developing a strong, robust and resilient team through learning and development.

Alongside Development Management is the Planning Policy and Environment team, which encompasses several individual but related specialisms all focused on delivering a city for those wishing to live and work here. Those specialisms include Strategic Planning, Ecology, Trees and Landscape, Urban Design, Conservation, Archaeology and Environmental Protection.

We have a vacancy in our Planning Enforcement Team for an Enforcement Officer or a Senior Enforcement Officer where the level of appointment will depend on experience. Our Enforcement Officer role offers opportunities for progression to senior level as set out in the attached job descriptions. Appointment will be based on experience and meeting the requirements of the respective job descriptions.

As Planning Enforcement Officer or Senior Planning Enforcement Officer you will be enforcing all relevant legislation administered by the section under the general direction of the Planning Enforcement Manager.

The main duties and responsibilities of the role include (but are not limited to)

• Investigate planning enforcement complaints, identifying appropriate courses of action ensuring all relevant legislation is considered and followed.
• Interpret technical / legal information, plans and legislation and make an initial assessment to progress each enquiry based upon the information and evidence received.
• Leading or supporting (depending on experience) on the supervision of works in default, including drafting schedules of work, site supervision and monitoring of payments.
• Prepare and/or support documents required by our Legal Services to enable them to prosecute enforcement breaches.
• Senior Planning Enforcement Officers will be expected to mentor Enforcement Officers in these processes.

We are looking for a Planning Enforcement Officer or Senior Planning Enforcement Officer to deliver a high quality proactive Planning Enforcement service in a way that contributes to the achievement of the City Council’s vision and objectives for a growing and sustainable city.

You don't necessarily need to have a background in Planning as some of our previous enforcement officers have joined from a range of backgrounds. You will be organised, articulate and attention to detail with a natural flair of curiosity and questioning. Being able to follow policy and legislation and working proactively on your own initiative as well as part of a team is key.

If you would like to have an informal chat about this post then please contact Marcus Fothergill, Planning Enforcement Manager, on 02476 972434 or Anne Lynch, Head of Development Management, on 02476 972266 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date: Week commencing 22nd September 2025

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.