Planning Officer, Career Grade, Isle of Lewis (2060)

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority for the Outer Hebrides is seeking a Planning Officer for a permanent full-time position. You will provide crucial planning services and fulfil statutory duties while enjoying the natural beauty and strong community of the islands. Ideal candidates can be recent graduates or those with RTPI membership. Competitive salary inclusive of a Distant Islands Allowance is offered.

Benefits

Distant Islands Allowance

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Completed Year 2 of an RTPI accredited Planning degree or equivalent.
• RTPI membership for Grade I applicants with significant work experience.
• Valid driving license is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional planning services and fulfill statutory planning duties.
• Work within the Development Management team on diverse planning projects.
• Address essential criteria in the Person Specification during application.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Listening skills

Negotiation skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Prioritization skills

Computer literacy

Education

Degree in Planning

HND in Planning related discipline

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) membership

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Location: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council Offices Sandwick Road Stornoway Isle of Lewis, HS1 2BW

Salary: £37,083 - £48,966 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Position Type: Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week

Advert

Planning Officer, Career Grade, Isle of Lewis
37 hours per week, Permanent position
Grade G (Stage 3) – £37,083 to £40,941 P.A. (inclusive of £2,859 Distant Islands Allowance per annum)
Grade I (Stage 4) - £45,243 to £48,966 P.A. (inclusive of £2,859 Distant Islands Allowance per annum)

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is the Planning Authority for the islands of the Outer Hebrides, an area renowned for its strong sense of community, environmental quality, beautiful scenery, outdoor opportunities, low crime rates, good educational opportunities and a strong cultural scene.

Based in Stowaway on the Isle of Lewis, you will be required to provide professional planning services to fulfil statutory planning duties and related tasks. This post, within the Development Management team, offers opportunities for broad planning experience with a wide range and variety of development types across a diverse island rural environment under extensive natural heritage designation.

The position is being advertised to accommodate applications from either a Graduate or more experienced candidates with RTPI membership. There is an opportunity for a successful candidate to progress to full RTPI membership under the career grade system. Applicants should refer to and carefully address the essential criteria provided in the Person Specification when submitting their application. Applicants should indicate clearly which Stage (3 or 4) their application relates to and provide full details of their current qualifications.

For appointment to Grade G (Career Stage 3) you will have: successfully completed Year 2 of a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited Planning degree OR hold a Degree in a Planning related discipline OR hold an HND (or equivalent) in a Planning related or technical discipline and have proven experience of a reasonable breadth and depth in Development Plan Development Management/Planning Enforcement work. A Planning related or technical discipline would include e.g. Geography, Property Development or Surveying, Design and Development, Sustainable Environmental Management, Spatial Planning Technician or similar discipline).

For appointment to Grade I (Career Stage 4) you will have Full or Associate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute and proven work experience of a significant breadth and depth in Development Management or Development Plan work.

In addition, at both grades you must have: sound knowledge of current planning legislation and associated guidance; good interpersonal, listening, negotiation, verbal and written communication skills; ability to accept responsibility and work constructively within a small team; ability to organise and prioritise own workload; and be computer literate, including knowledge of MS Office. A current driving licence is essential.

Please see attached employee testimonials to find out more regarding working as a Planning Officer in the Outer Hebrides from current members of the team.

It is vital you read the job description and person specification, in your Experience statement please detail how you meet each of the essential criteria we ask for in the person specification.

Salary for the above post is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance. Appointment to the post will be on the first point of the grade.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.