Download Job Description and Employee Specification

Job Description
Job Title: Principal Urban Design Officer
Post Number(s)
103633
Grade: PO5
Department: Regeneration, Economic Development & Environment
Section: Regeneration; Spatial Planning; Business Services and
Investment; Environmental Strategy
Reports to: Spatial Planning Team Leader
PURPOSE OF ROLE: To lead on and champion urban design in the
development process, including policy formulation for the Local Plan and related
documents, development management (planning applications) and project
implementation strategies / master plans, guidance, development briefs and
management of capital projects and appeals.
Responsible for: Supervision for Conservation Officer and junior Spatial
Planning staff and fixed-term and agency staff; managing consultants.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Corporate
1. To work effectively as part of the Council’s Regeneration; Spatial Planning;
Business Services and Investment; and Environmental Strategy Service,
delivering corporate objectives through the work of the department.
2. To work as part of multi-disciplinary project teams to break down
departmental barriers and ensure the delivery of partnership working.
3. To support organisational change ensuring the appropriate systems of
performance and development, communications, equality impact assessment,
monitoring and review are in place.
4. To act as an ambassador for the Borough, promoting a positive image of
Hounslow and championing the interests of Hounslow’s community,
stakeholders and partners at external conferences, seminars and working
parties as may be required.
Policy
Recruitment & Selection
Issued by
Policy & Information Team
Date
28 January 2013
5. To work with key stakeholders, local residents and the voluntary sector in
improving service delivery and promoting creative and innovative ways of
tackling local problems, ensuring services are developed which meet the
needs of our ethnically diverse community and are accessible to all users.
Functional
1. Preparation of urban design related evidence base studies, such as character
assessments and urban design audits / appraisals
2. Identification of policy approaches and responses to improve urban design
outcomes in existing and new developments, and the public realm
3. The formulation and drafting of statutory and non-statutory spatial plans,
statutory notices, policy documents and reports as directed.
4. As requested, to prepare, monitor, review and evaluate spatial plans, policies
and proposals and to report on their progress and continuing relevance,
together with recommendations for appropriate action
5. The generation of creative, inspired and implementable design concepts,
having regard to relevant planning policies and site specific characteristics
and stakeholder aspirations and needs
6. As requested, preparing proposals for consulting and involving the public in
planning matters, and as directed, effecting such consultation and
engagement processes as may be agreed, including the preparation of
publicity material, exhibitions, leaflets, displays, presentations, etc
7. Preparation and/or input into planning briefs and masterplans for major sites
within the borough
8. Evaluation and monitoring of existing policy framework within the borough,
particularly with respect to built form outcomes
9. Pre-application advice to developers and negotiations. Input to planning
applications
10. Procurement of consultants, including the preparation of project briefs and
contracts, the monitoring and management of contracts and liaison with
consultants in the delivery of projects.
11. Develop and maintain an expertise in urban design and apply such expertise
effectively in assisting other staff to manage development proposals.
12. Commissioning and managing consultants to undertake urban design studies
on behalf of the Council
13. Prepare written advice in the form of reports, planning briefs, letters,
memoranda, public leaflets, proofs of evidence, draft press statements,
amongst others. Oral advice may include telephone or counter, public
meetings, committee presentations, exhibitions, public inquiries, public
examinations amongst others. You will be expected to be capable of speaking
or writing authoritatively on behalf of the Council without supervision.
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KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1. Securing a high quality of design in developments across the Borough
2. Responding to requests to advice on planning applications within
timescales and the provision of high quality advice.
3. Delivery of key masterplans for the Council to a high standard such as for
the Great West Corridor; West of Borough; and Feltham.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL)
1.Development Management
2.Members
3.Businesses and Residents
4.Greater London Authority/TfL
5.Housing service
6.Registered Providers
7.Hounslow Highways
8.Property services
9.English Heritage/Historic England
10. Developers
COUNCIL STANDARDS
Equal Opportunities: The Council has a strong commitment to achieving
equality of opportunity and expects all employees to implement and promote this
in their own work.
Health and Safety: The Council is committed to a healthy and safe working
environment and expects all its employees to implement and promote its policy in
all aspects of their work.
Confidentiality: The Council is committed to maintaining privacy of all its staff
and customers. It expects all staff to handle all individuals’ personal information
in a sensitive and professional manner. All staff are under an obligation not to
gain access or attempt to gain access to information they are not authorised to
have.
Safeguarding: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and
volunteers to share this commitment.
SIGNATURES
Name of Line Manager: …………….…………………………………………………..
Signed.…………………………………………… Dated……………………………….
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Name of Post holder: ………………………………………………………………...
Signed…………………………………………. Dated………………………………
The duties of this post will change and develop over time. It is the manager’s
responsibility, in conjunction with the post holder, regularly to review this
document and amend it when necessary.
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Employee Specification
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
1. In-depth technical knowledge and understanding of urban design and
planning policies and related legislation
2. Experience in preparing locally specific evidence base studies relating to
urban design, particularly in the context of Local Plans
3. Demonstrable experience in the negotiation on design aspects of
development proposals and planning applications, with positive outcomes
4. Experience in identification of broader urban design opportunities within a
locality / local authority area
5. Experience in a local planning authority context or planning or design
consultancy, particularly urban design and the assessment of development
applications
6. Demonstrates an ability to maintain an up- to- date professional awareness
and application of legislation, local, sub-regional and national policy,
professional developments and political announcements to the area of work.
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrates leadership skills and fosters powerful and productive working
relationships both within the service, across the Council and externally.
2. Ability to presenting evidence or advice in public
3. Work with computer systems including sketch-up, In-Design, Map Info
(Urban Designer)
4. Aware of a wide range of information sources both internally and externally
connected with work of section and able to get the information needed
without direction of manager.
5. Produces a wide range of written communications which are clear, fluent,
concise and jargon-free, and are readily understood by the recipient. Writes
on complex issues and contributes to reports.
6. Manages time and prioritises work in short and longer term in and effective
and productive way. Produces comprehensive work plan and takes
corrective action.
7. Makes rational, realistic and sound decisions based on consideration of all
the facts and alternatives available.
PERSONAL STYLE AND BEHAVIOURS:
1. Enthuses others, promoting a clear sense of purpose and a positive attitude
to work
2. Engage in career development and Continuous Professional Development.
3. Communicates orally in one-to-one situations and large groups in a manner
which is clear, fluent and concise and holds people’s attention. Checks
understanding and chooses appropriate style. Encourages feedback and
confidently deals with questions.
4. Use both established and innovative procedures to break complex problems
down into parts and can relate the parts to each other within the team. Can
fit into the wider picture of the service.
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5. Understand purpose of own job and where it fits into the work of the team
and service area and other service areas as appropriate. Understands the
overall functions and wider aims of the Council and strategic objectives.
6. Usually demonstrates awareness of own personal strengths and
weaknesses and understands how these impact on others. Successfully
takes action to modify own behaviour.
7. Displays a high level of personal drive and energy.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Degree or post graduate diploma in Urban Design, Town Planning,
Architecture or other designed based discipline
2. Membership of a respective professional body or eligible/working towards.
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