Planner / Planning Trainee

Job Purpose:

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for.

Location: Marischal College,

Duration: Permanent, Full Time

Roles that require PVG Membership

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023, where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership. This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above. (Teaching roles and jobs at Grade 10 and above (currently £30,030 per annum / £16.50 per hour)

The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members, and this cost will be deducted from an employee’s first FULL month’s salary payment.

Job purpose/about the role

For Planning Trainee:

Part of a strategic team collaborating closely with others to protect and enhance Aberdeen’s built and natural environment, the postholder will pro-actively assist with the development and implementation of an up-to-date, long-term transportation planning and land use framework, ensuring compliance with legislation and policy, and promoting good practice. This includes engaging and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, working with partners across and outwith the Council, with statutory and non-statutory groups, organisations and the citizens of Aberdeen. The post holder is responsible to the Senior Planner, and would be eligible to progress into a Planner position on attainment of two years relevant experience and membership of an appropriate professional body.

For Planner:

Part of a strategic team collaborating closely with others to protect and enhance Aberdeen’s built and natural environment, the postholder will pro-actively assist with the development and implementation of an up-to-date, long-term transportation planning and land use framework, ensuring compliance with legislation and policy, and promoting good practice. This includes engaging and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, working with partners across and outwith the Council, with statutory and non-statutory groups, organisations and the citizens of Aberdeen. The post holder will be responsible to the Senior Planner.

Planning Trainee (G10): £30,030-£32,597 Planner (G13): £41,442-£46,829

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

For Planning Trainee:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Town Planning or related discipline (e.g. Geography, Environmental Studies).

For Planner:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Town Planning or related discipline (e.g. Geography, Environmental Studies) .
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent membership of another appropriate professional institute.

The postholder is able to demonstrate:

For Planning Trainee:

Skills and experience:

• Willingness to work towards gaining appropriate professional membership.
• Ability to organise personal workload in response to priorities and deadlines.
• Good analytical and administrative skills.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively, including managing conflict.
• Ability to work well with colleagues to achieve corporate objectives.
• Ability to prepare cogent reports.
• A good knowledge of PC systems and programmes.

Understanding of:

• Development and implementation of transportation strategies and their relationship with the wider planning process.
• Appropriate legislation, procedures, government advice and best practice.
• Local Government and community planning.

Commitment to:

• The principles and aims of Aberdeen City Council.
• A programme of Continuous Professional Development

Other requirements:

• The applicant should be aware that post holders may occasionally be expected to attend meetings/consultations/events etc. outwith normal working hours including during the evening and weekends, as well as working outside in all weathers.

For Planner:

Skills and experience:

• Good analytical and administrative skills.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively, including managing conflict.
• Ability to work well with colleagues to achieve corporate objectives.
• Ability to prepare cogent reports.
• Good knowledge of PC systems and programmes.
• Ability to organise personal workload in response to priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to facilitate consultation events.

Understanding of:

• Development and implementation of transportation strategies and their relationship with the wider planning process.
• Legislation, procedures, government advice and best practice.
• Project management.
• Local Government and community planning.

Commitment to:

• The principles and aims of Aberdeen City Council.
• A programme of Continuous Professional Development

Other requirements:

• The applicant should be aware that post holders may occasionally be expected to attend meetings/consultations/events etc. outwith normal working hours including during the evening and weekends, as well as working outside in all weathers.

About Us

Please see the Job Profile for further details.

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. For further information, please see our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Recruitment pack.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer.  If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact AskHR@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a gold award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.  We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: armedforces@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for who:

• have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (all jobs)
• looked after young people, those that are in continuing care or are a care leaver up to the age of 29 (all jobs)
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Please note that eligibility to work in the UK is dependent on legal status and all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.