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Planning Officer – Development Management 37hpw
£41,.12 - £51,.49 per annum (J – L Career Graded) inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance. Salary scale placement is dependent on qualifications and experience.
A relocation package applies to this post and we will pay interview expenses from within the UK.
Are you an ambitious planning professional with experience in undertaking regulatory activity across the range of planning activities and looking for both a fresh career challenge, and a better quality of life?
Shetland’s spectacular landscapes, coastal waters and diverse economy make the islands an exceptional place to work in planning.
Here at Shetland Islands Council we have a job for someone just like you. In a challenging and varied role, you will have opportunities to assist in the delivery and maintenance of existing planned growth as well as the protection of the islands community’s interests.
As a Planning Officer for Shetland Islands Council you will benefit from:
1. Excellent Salary and Conditions
2. Distant islands allowance
3. A comprehensive relocation package
4. A varied workload and first-rate career development opportunities.
5. Gaining experience collaborating with various stakeholders, including those involved with major and national developments
6. A chance to work across a range of island communities
7. A stress-free commute to work
8. An exceptional work/life balance
The islands provide a strategic hub for a wide range of established and emerging industries including a spaceport development in Unst, onshore and offshore renewables, aquaculture, and nationally significant energy projects.
Working as a planner in our Development Management team, you will play a vital part in shaping life in Shetland and maintaining the islands special characteristics and qualities. You will carry out the full duties of the post, making recommendations on various types of planning application in accordance with the legislative requirements and the Council’s statutory duties, aswell as any applications that follow.
You will make a difference within the community you’re living in and get to see first- hand the impact of decisions made within the role. We’ll give you exposure to all development types, and help you to develop your career at a faster rate than you would working in other locations.
Shetland is an archipelago in the far north of the British Isles where you’ll find freedom, wildlife and wild beauty, but also a rich culture and a dynamic, forward-looking society. The islands have a thriving and diverse economy full of opportunities and offer residents the ideal work/life balance. Shetland combines stunning coastal landscapes and wide open spaces with friendly, bustling island communities.
But there is more to Shetland than this. Positioned at the heart of the North Sea oil boom since its inception in the s, the islands play a central role in the UK’s remaining oil and gas sector and are now at the forefront of the green energy transition goal – backed by some of the richest renewable energy resources in the world.
As a result, Shetland enjoys extremely high standards of living: fantastic schools, a state-of-the-art cinema and arts centre and unparalleled access to sporting facilities are all things Shetlanders enjoy. You’ll also find superb roads, frequent bus services, reliable inter-island ferries and frequent flights to Scottish and English cities and, increasingly superfast broadband.
Additional Information
We’re not just offering you a job, we’re offering the chance to grow your career and your interests, and become part of a community which will give back as much as you put into it to protect its interests. There really is no better place to live and work.
We’re looking for someone who’s motivated, enthusiastic and highly organised, with excellent negotiating, written, numeracy, people and communication skills. You will be educated to degree in a discipline relevant to the planning profession, ideally an RTPI recognised qualificationan and be able to analyse and interpret data, prepare reports and briefings, take part and lead on topic groups and manage projects.
Relevant experience in undertaking regulatory duties across the range of planning activities at local authority level would be an advantage in this role.
This vacancy is being advertised as a Career Graded post, which is a career development opportunity. This means that the Council is committed to supporting the successful candidate to obtain the necessary skills, abilities and knowledge to become fully competent in the role. Please see the Career Grade document attached to this advert that outlines the entry level requirements for the job and the expected career progression route. The successful candidate will be supported to become fully competent in the role and progress through the career grade. Where there is a requirement to achieve a qualification, this will be fully funded by the Council.
More detail is provided in the Job Profile, Person Specification and Conditions of Service Summary attached to the bottom of this advert.
9. The grade of this post is J/K/L
10. This post is career graded - your salary and career progression will depend on your experience and qualifications
11. Salary shown in the advert is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance of £2, per annum (pro rata)
12. Permanent Full Time post for 37.0 Hours per Week, 52.18 weeks per year
13. A relocation package does apply to this post
14. We will pay interview expenses from within the UK
15. You must have the ability to travel throughout Shetland at short notice and where public transport is limited
16. We are happy to talk flexible working
During the application process you are required to give the names of two persons not related to you, who we can contact to provide a reference to support your application.
This post is based at 8 North Ness, Lerwick, Shetland.
For further details relating to this post, please contact: Iain McDiarmid, Executive Manager on: or email: or John Holden, Team Leader on: or email:
If you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, please call .
Information about Shetland
Shetland is an archipelago in the north of the British Isles where you'll find freedom, wildlife and wild beauty, but also a rich culture and dynamic, forward-looking society. The Islands have a thriving and diverse economy full of opportunities and offer residents the ideal work/life balance. Shetland combines stunning coastal landscapes and wide open spaces with friendly, bustling island communities. Factor in Shetland's impressive modern amenities, highly regarded schools and the Islands offer a work life balance rarely found elsewhere.
Find out more about:
Living and working in Shetland: The Shetland Islands Council: