Graduate Design Officer Apprentice

Our Specialist Services function is made up of teams dedicated to the natural environment, historic environment and design.

With dedicated specialists, our team is leading the way in shaping future policy, providing technical advice to applicants and our case officers as well as leading our corporate response to key issues such as sustainable design, conservation, our regeneration initiatives and Biodiversity Net Gain.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an apprentice to join our team and develop a career in urban design. You will undertake a 2-year Masters level apprenticeship in Spatial Planning specialising in urban design, learning how to provide appropriate specialist advice and support to planning colleagues on urban design issues, promote design initiatives and enhance the quality of the built environment within the context of supporting new development, growth, inward investment, sustainability and energy efficiency.

The role sits within Planning and Development, part of the Place, Economy and Environment Directorate in West Northamptonshire Council, and reports into the Principal Historic Environment Officer.

With a current salary range of £30,650 to £32,212. The successful applicant will be paid at 70% of the salary during Year 1 of the apprenticeship, rising to 80% upon successful completion of Year 1 and 90% upon successful completion of Year 2. To be confirmed into the permanent position, the apprentice will need to undertake the full 2 years masters level apprenticeship and pass the independent End Point Assessment and achieve RTPI accreditation (typically a 12 month process after completion of the two-year course).

All training costs are covered as part of your employment with West Northamptonshire Council.

What will you be doing?

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic individual to support in maintaining up-to-date policy documents and design-codes to guide future development standards in the area. You will also support in the provision of specialised urban design advice to enhance the quality of the built environment, facilitate new growth, and sustainability, acting as a technical consultee to Development Management and regeneration colleagues.

You will also be assisting in the preparation of design recommendations for our Planning Committees, contributing to the Local Plan and other corporate strategies, fostering excellent customer service and supporting process improvements.

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual who is passionate about urban design and its role in shaping our community and the quality of our places.

The ideal candidate should have a background in planning and development, and a keenness to develop a career in town planning and urban design. Excellent communication skills, a commitment to customer service, and a deep understanding of place making are essential.

A relevant undergraduate degree is essential, along with a strong interest in working in a built environment field.

At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

Our vision is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.

Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what it's like to work at West Northants Council https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.


• Cycle to Work scheme.


• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.


• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.


• Car Lease scheme


• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.


• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.


• Ongoing training and development opportunities.


• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).


• Our West Ways of Working - We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.


• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.