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Sharon, Planning Enforcement Officer
Hertfordshire County Council

After working in the private sector for seven years, I decided to apply for a position in local government. I believe that environmental issues are very important for Hertfordshire and wanted to undertake a role which could make a difference to people's lives. I felt that working for the local council could enable me to do that.

The primary purpose of my job is to enforce conditions on planning permissions. My role is specifically concerned with minerals and waste disposal, mainly issues around landfills, quarries, waste disposal and recycling units. For example, there may be restrictions on the types of waste which may be disposed of at a particular site, the number of lorries entering a site, the hours of operation, or there may be noise restrictions or a commitment to keep the surrounding roads clear of debris. I ensure that all of this happens as it's supposed to.

The role is extremely varied and can be quite exciting. My day can involve an early start, for example, if we are carrying out a surveillance operation, it may involve being on site at 6am. This may involve an unannounced site inspection or an undercover operation to investigate a complaint.

The best part of the role is getting out of the office and making a difference; I help make residents' lives better and improve the standard of living across the county. The role is both challenging and rewarding, and working for the council has some excellent benefits including the flexi-time and the focus on developing staff. Hertfordshire County Council is an Investor in People and is committed to developing staff to their full potential. I have received training in relation to the job such as the legal aspects and dealing with the public.

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