Planning Officer – Development Management

£32,389.00 - £49,378.81 per annum (H – 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 and enforcement 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:
•    Excellent Salary and Conditions
•    Distant islands allowance
•    A comprehensive relocation package
•    A varied workload and first-rate career development opportunities.
•    Gaining experience collaborating with various stakeholders, including those involved with major and national developments
•    A chance to work across a range of island communities
•    A stress-free commute to work
•    An exceptional work/life balance
The islands provide a strategic hub for a wide range of established and emerging industries including a proposed spaceport in Unst, onshore and offshore renewables, aquaculture, and nationally significant energy projects.
Working as a planner whose principal role is in planning enforcement 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 the use of the wide choice of options available to achieve satisfactory, lasting and cost-effective remedies to breaches of planning control 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 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 1970s, the islands play a central role in the UK’s oil and gas sector and are now at the forefront of global energy sector - not to mention 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.
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 level or willing to commence study to achieve an RTPI recognised qualification 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 and enforcement activity across the range of planning activities at local authority level would be an advantage in this role.
More detail is provided in the Job Profile, Person Specification and Conditions of Service Summary.
For further details relating to these posts, please contact: John Holden, Team Leader or Iain McDiarmid, Executive Manager on 01595 743898 or e-mail John.Holden@shetland.gov.uk or Iain.McDiarmid@shetland.gov.uk
Additional Information
These vacancies are being advertised as Career Graded posts, which are 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.
The grade of this post is H/I/J/K/L
This post is career graded - your salary and career progression will depend on your experience and qualifications.
Salary shown in the advert is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance of £2,541 per annum
You must have a full driving licence and/or the ability to travel throughout Shetland at short notice and where public transport is limited.
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.
If you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, please call 01595 744032.
Closing date: 3 March 2024.