Accommodation and Space Planning Officer

• This permanent part time 22.2 hours/3 days per week role is based at County Hall, Taunton.
• Hybrid working applies to this position, to be discussed at interview.
• 28 days’ annual leave pro rata.
• The Council is currently experiencing unprecedented and ongoing pressure to balance its finances as demand for its services increases and its income does not meet service demand. The Property service is in the spotlight as one department capable of responding to the pressure the Council faces by delivering a mix of asset disposals, asset devolution, asset rationalisation or other property related solutions. The successful candidate will play a key role in scoping and shaping office, customer services and other accommodation optimisation projects for the Council and act as a department interface with its services and partners.

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Developing good working relationships with Facilities Management teams, service and tenant representatives to gain a working knowledge of office and space use.
• To translate working knowledge of office accommodation space use standards. and hybrid / dynamic ways of working strategies into space saving proposals that can be shared and negotiated with service teams and partners.
• Analysing feedback from service teams and partners and developing project plans to deliver agreed accommodation reductions / improvements with relevant workstream leads.
• Key to all of the activities is an understanding and appreciation of the importance of change management.

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

• Have A level qualification/s or relevant / related equivalent (Level 3 or 4) qualifications.
• Experience of Facilities Management, good understanding and experience of office accommodation standards, modern ways of working (aglie, flexi, touchdown, etc) & broad understanding of other property disciplines.
• Can demonstrate your proven track record and experience of negotiation, influencing and persuading stakeholders.
• Can demonstrate that you are approachable and empathic.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.

Salary is £16,626 to £18,640 per annum for 22.2 hours/3 days per week.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Sian Powell, 01823 359319 sian.powell@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will take place on Monday 7th April 2025 in person at County Hall, Taunton.

If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can’t wait to hear from you.