About the Role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent an Assistant Planning Officer (Enforcement) to join our busy enforcement team. We offer flexible working arrangements with a mix of office and home working.

Working closely with the Development Management team, the role will predominantly be focussed on enforcement of breaches of planning control. You will undertake site visits, draft formal planning related notices, write reports, and undertake planning related appeals.

Would you like to work for an RTPI award winning team? Our DM team is recognised in the industry for providing a highly professional, commercially focused service and placing staff wellbeing at the heart of what we do.

Rochdale forms part of the Greater Manchester city region and is experiencing significant economic growth and regeneration. Working with our local & GM partners and the private sector we are delivering on our ambitions to regenerate our Town Centres and neighbourhoods and exploit our connectivity, unique heritage and location at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse. Effective planning enforcement is an important part of this growth agenda.


About you:

Rochdale Council is Pioneering and Open in our approach, Proud of the difference we make, and.

Passionate about the diversity of the borough. These values are at the heart of how we approach all of the work we do. We are looking for someone who shares these values, works positively to find solutions and brings a professional, organised, and creative approach to planning.

You will have, or be about to obtain, a degree in planning or related subject. You may be at the start of your planning career, a recent graduate, or have other relevant experience in enforcement or planning or another related field.

We are looking for someone with a proactive approach and an ability to communicate effectively with members of the public, developers and key stakeholders. As a team player you will have drive and enthusiasm along with a positive attitude to dealing with applicants, councillors and the general public. In return, you will gain an up to date working knowledge of legislation, policy and best practice relating to enforcement and development management and develop the ability to apply policy creatively on the ground. Experience of working with ICT systems is essential.

If you think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.


About us:

You’ll enjoy hybrid and flexible working arrangements, your professional fees will be paid, you will have a generous annual leave entitlement, access to the fantastic local government pension scheme, and subsidised gym membership.

We have a culture of staff development and performance improvement and take your professional development seriously. As part of the Organisational Development team we will support you to improve your skills and behaviours.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Melanie Hale (Head of Planning) on 01706 925682 or Andrew Cotton (Assistant Head of Planning) on 01706 925024.

Please note: We may close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.


Casual User Car Allowance is payable.

**Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role**



Supporting Documents

Job Description and Person Specification

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Location

Smith Street, , Rochdale, OL16 1XU, United Kingdom

Job ID

12229

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This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to and understanding how to use AI responsibly.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice