Job Description

Planning Officer, Perth PKC11483

£25,508 - £45,536 Career Grade Structure (TAS4-PR9)

Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD

We are looking for candidates with a range of skills, qualifications and experience to join our Economy, Development and Planning Service, with opportunities in both the Development Management team and Development Plan team. Appointment, in terms of both grading and role, will be based on the candidates individual experience, career circumstances and service needs. Appointment at PR9 will reflect high levels of professional attainment. Flexibility and openness to work where there is most demand is seen as central to the future success of PKC.

Working in a hybrid style is the norm, with a base at Pullar House in Perth, our policy being that there are a minimum of two days per week in the office or on site. As we have opportunities across the planning service the activities undertaken could be either Development Management or Development Plan focused, with potential over time to experience the work undertaken across those teams.

The Development Management team is involved in a wide range of work covering all types of projects you could expect to see in both urban and rural areas – almost every scale (Major/Local/Householder development types) and everything from mountain to the sea. Similarly, the Development Plan team are currently in the early stages of preparing our Local Development Plan 3. This will implement National Planning Framework 4 and the new Planning legislation, and will have significant emphasis on creating sustainable, inclusive places, and supporting health & wellbeing, economic recovery and climate action. A key aspect of the overall service approach is engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders and partners, particularly our communities and business, in an effort to achieve great outcomes for everyone involved.

It is our view that the successful candidate would have opportunities that are unlikely to be replicated elsewhere, with experiences to professionally and personally grow whilst being continuously stimulated. As skills and qualifications, etc. will influence where candidates are appointed and there are a number of scenarios, more information can be provided on request. Perth and Kinross is at the heart of Scotland, with a varied landscape across both quality urban and stunning rural environments. It is very well connected in all directions and has ambitious plans for sustainable economic growth, focusing on the innovation and creativity of the area - capitalising on our natural assets, connectivity, talent and potential. As well as being a great place to live, working for Perth and Kinross Council will give you the training and opportunities to be involved in projects that will not only define your career but also positively shape the future of all our places. Together with benefiting from training and the benefits of hybrid working, we have excellent annual leave entitlements, an additional leave purchase scheme, flexi-time, pension scheme, car lease and cycle-to-work schemes, and many other employee benefits and staff wellbeing support.

If you are passionate about achieving sustainable and inclusive places and open to new ways of working with our communities and stakeholders then we'd like to hear from you.

Requirements

Essential:

• Educated to degree level in town planning or a related discipline leading to exemption from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) exam.

• Knowledge and understanding of planning issues

• Excellent IT skills and experience of MS Office, or similar

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work on your own initiative, using good judgement

• Ability to prioritise workloads

• Ability to work with minimum supervision and under pressure

• Experience of successfully working as a member of a team and have strong customer focus

• A full UK driving licence

Desirable:

• Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (Essential, alongside appropriate post membership experience, for PR9 grade)

• Experience in development management

• Experience in the preparation of development plans

• Experience of using Idox and Uniform

• Experience of dealing with a wide range of stakeholders, including: politicians, consultants and senior management

• Experience of engaging with the public at public meetings and consultation events

• Broader experience of the development plan process and local planning

• Experience of liaising and of working collaboratively within and across sectors

• Good knowledge and experience of using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

- Data collection, collation and analysis

• Awareness of Project/Programme methodology such as PRINCE2 / PRINCE2 Foundation qualification

• Experience of using Microsoft Project or similar tools

• Knowledge of Access and Excel software

• Knowledge of Adobe packages, including Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign

The Individual

For further information about this post, please contact either Paul Williamson, Development Management Team Leader on 01738 475342 (voicemail), email pwilliamson@pkc.gov.uk or Brenda Murray, Development Plan Team Leader on either 01738 475343 (voicemail), email (bemurray@pkc.gov.uk) or to arrange a Microsoft Teams call.

Interviews are planned to take in the week commencing 24 June 2024.

When completing your application for this post, please ensure you provide current contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees, one should be your present or most recent employer. However, if you are an existing employee of Perth & Kinross Council, you are only required to provide reference details for your current employer.

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Please APPLY ONLINE. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of mandatory checks including eligibility to work in the UK, Disclosure Scotland or PVG, qualifications, references, and fitness to undertake the post. This may also include an Overseas Criminal Records Check if you have spent time living overseas.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

What we can do for you

If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Find out more about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland Jobs, careers and employment.