Senior Planning Officer

Interviews are expected to take place w/c 7th December 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be offered an interview slot which they will be able to book.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced town planning professional to join the Council’s Major Applications Team who are responsible for the processing and monitoring of National, Major, and Local EIA development across Argyll and Bute.

Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland’s most stunning areas. As its award-winning council, we play a vital part in the day-to-day life and long-term future of our beautiful and diverse communities. Our unwavering purpose is to make Argyll and Bute the place to be, the place where people want to live, to work and do business. And we are committed to making the council the place to have a great career, by providing excellent benefits and a friendly, dynamic working culture so that each of our 5000 colleagues can deliver services that help our corner of Scotland thrive. Join us to make a difference.

About the role: 

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced town planning professional to join the Council’s Major Applications Team who are responsible for the processing and monitoring of National, Major, and Local EIA development across Argyll and Bute. The role is suitable for homeworking however the successful candidate will be required to regularly travel throughout the Council area to undertake site visits and to attend meetings as necessary.

About you: 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of projects with plenty of scope for professional development both through their own casework and mentoring others. A familiarity with EIA and rural planning issues, the assessment of complex applications undertaking of planning enforcement, and a track record of dealing with IT and data management systems would all be advantageous.

Candidates require to have considerable professional post graduate experience, have (or be eligible for) professional membership of the RTPI and a detailed working knowledge of Development Management legislation and procedure. Candidates should be able to demonstrate effective analytical, engagement and negotiation skills and the ability to convey complex information to a range of audiences including elected members, the public, and other planning professionals.

In addition to the primary purpose of progressing applications for major development, there will also be the requirement from time to time for the post holder to deputise for and/or assist Area based Team Leaders who are responsible for the processing of ‘local’ applications. In such circumstances the post holder will be required to undertake peer review and sign off of non-contentious ‘local’ applications and to provide mentoring/support that assists with the caseload management and professional development of less experienced colleagues.

Whilst previous experience in the processing of National/Major/EIA development would be of benefit this is not essential as the post is an excellent opportunity for a suitably experienced planning professional to take the next step in their career progression with support and training.

Benefits:

Our employees make good things happen in the day-to-day life and for the longer term future of Argyll and Bute. We want you to feel valued working for us. We offer various benefits to support you, such as a competitive salary, pension scheme, generous leave entitlement, cycle to work scheme, discounts on gym memberships and leisure centres, wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for learning and career growth. We also embrace a modern approach to work, offering a flexible first approach where possible to requests from our employees to how they work. A relocation package would be available to a successful candidate moving to the Council area to take up employment.

We provide information to help with moving to the area, from finding somewhere to live to securing employment, and from schools and wider education to the varied lifestyles available here. If you have any enquiries, you’re welcome to get in touch with us at settlementproject@argyll-bute.gov.uk. If your enquiry is only about housing, you are welcome to contact workerhousing@argyll-bute.gov.uk directly.

We care about our people and the world around us and always aim to do the right thing. From employee recognition schemes to environmental policies we have many initiatives in place to help us look after the things we all care about. Learn more here Argyll and Bute Employee Recognition Programme, Disability Confident, Armed Forces, Fair Work First Statement, Equality and Fairness, Climate Change, Flexible and Hybrid Working Policy 

 Argyll and Bute Council recognises the numerous benefits of a positive work-life balance to the wellbeing and productivity of our employees. We will take a flexible first approach to requests from our employees to change the way that they work. While we must balance such requests with the need to ensure the quality of the important services we deliver are not compromised, we will ensure that each request is given careful consideration with a view to achieving a positive outcome wherever possible.

We want everyone applying for a job with Argyll and Bute Council to feel confident, supported and informed throughout our recruitment process. Our Work with Us pages are designed to help you put forward your best application. You’ll find practical tips on how to clearly present your skills and experience, along with guidance on using AI tools in a helpful and appropriate way. We’re keen to hear about your own experiences, skills and motivations, so it’s important that your application reflects your journey.

To help maintain fairness for all candidates, please complete your application yourself and follow the guidance provided. This includes advice on how to use AI responsibly to support, but not replace, your own work.  

Please note: Applications that rely too heavily on AI-generated content may not be taken forward.

You’ll also find information about our approach to inclusive recruitment, including the steps we take to reduce barriers and support different applicants. Alongside this, we provide details on pay, benefits and the wider employment package, so you have a clear understanding of what we offer. Our aim is to support you every step of the way in your recruitment experience with us.

To apply for this vacancy, please click on the Apply Now button at the top of this page.

If you would like clarification on any information contained within the vacancy advert and/or the job description please contact the recruiting manager, who is Sandra Davies 01436 658884.

Please note that you cannot apply for this vacancy by contacting the recruiting manager, applications must be made by clicking on the Apply Now button at the top of this page.

Please also note that we do not accept CVs, only applications completed and submitted via the Apply Now button on this page.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about our commitment to this please visit Equality & Diversity Policy.