Urban Design Officer

An exciting opportunity has become available to work as an Urban Design officer within the Council's Strategic and Environmental Planning Team.

The Environmental Planning Team is a multi-disciplinary team of professionals within the Planning Department, providing specialist advice on landscape architecture, design, arboriculture, ecology, heritage, and local plans, with a mission to improve and protect the varied and high-quality environments of Cheshire East.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As an Urban Design Officer, you will have a core remit to secure the best design outcomes for development in the borough through managing a case load of planning consultations and appeals. The role provides the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects including:

• Developing design guidance and policy for the Local Plan, including helping us prepare our new Design Code for the borough;
• Preparing and managing design consultations, including assessing design codes;
• Advising on urban design matters across a variety of projects, and managing implementation.

We're looking for people who are excited by helping to shape our borough to showcase its beautiful and diverse character. So, if you're a creative and enthusiastic team member, with a passion for design and architecture, then we want to hear from you.

These are exciting and interesting times for the team - the Council are preparing a new Local Plan, planning reform is generating new proposals across the borough, and regional collaboration plus the development of our Design Code means that there are multiple opportunities to help our team shape the built and natural environment of Cheshire East.

In this dynamic context, the department deals with a very diverse portfolio which means that with Cheshire Eastyou will have opportunities to work on schemes taking in a range of issues from local heritage to national infrastructure and from town centre public realm to rural conversions. Due the scale of the borough and the variety in our built and natural character, no two applications (or weeks!) are the same and this is an exciting time for the service as we expand our capacity, and plan for the future of the borough.

To find out more about our essential and desirable criteria for the role, please view the 'in this job you will need' section within the attached Job Description and Person Specification (JDPS) document.

ABOUT YOU

You will:

• Have a degree level qualification within Architecture or Urban Design
• Be a member of the RIBA or similar
• Have Development Management experience from the public or private sector
• Have an understanding of master planning and architecture
• Be an effective team player with great communication skills
• Have a flexible approach to work
• Have a passion for the built environment and the role design plays within it

We're looking for people who are excited about the built environment, who can deliver excellent customer care and who want to help us shape the environment of Cheshire East. The ability to travel throughout Cheshire East and a full UK driving license are required.

This job is offered on a full time (5 days per week) basis. If you would like to be part of our team and want to contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate and are willing to work as part of a team then we would like to hear from you for our current vacancy.

WHAT WE GIVE IN RETURN

• Enhanced annual leave: 34 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) from day 1, increasing to 39 days after 5 years service.
• Enhanced public pension: a career average pension (contributions built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay).
• Flexible Working: 37-hour standard full time week with flexi time and hybrid / remote working arrangements.
• Purchase of annual leave: The ability to purchase up to 10 days extra annual leave each year in addition to your normal annual leave entitlements.
• Cycle to work scheme: receive Income Tax and National Insurance savings of up to 25-39% off the retail price of a bike and safety equipment package (savings dependent on the value of your chosen package and your tax status).
• Employee Assistance programme: a completely free to use and confidential assistance service for all employees to help staff manage, reduce and overcome the impact of life issues which they may experience from time to time, both within work and their personal life.
• Virgin Media and O2 discounts: exclusive discounts on Virgin Media Broadband and O2 pay monthly plans.
• Discounted gym memberships: Access to corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure which includes:
• Gym, swim and group fitness at all 16 facilities
• Off-peak racket sports
• Athletics tracks
• Sauna, steam, spa facilities

To find out more about our rewards and benefits package, please click here .

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact: or

PLEASE NOTE: We review applications on a rolling basis which means we may close vacancies earlier if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, early applications are advised.