Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer / Planning Enforcement Officer, 2 High Street, Perth

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

We currently have the following opportunity:

Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer / Planning Enforcement Officer - PKC13323
£33,261 - £45,349
2 High Street, Perth

Perth and Kinross is one of the most scenic and diverse local authority areas which spans some of the most remote and spectacular landscapes anywhere in Scotland, with many thriving villages and towns across the region and Perth City at its heart.

In order to help retain the quality of place and to ensure planning regulations are adhered to, our Planning Enforcement Team play a pivotal role.

We are looking for an Assistant Planning Enforcement Officer / Enforcement Officer, to join our highly performing Planning Enforcement Team identify and investigate planning breaches in accordance with our adopted Planning Enforcement Charter.

You will join a friendly and supported team located within in our Economy, Development and Planning service. The team recognised as one of the best performing in Scotland. This was recognised recently by the European Union’s ERASMUS programme who funded the Malta Planning Authority to visit and learn from best practice. The team are active in the Scottish Planning Enforcement Forum (SPEF) and recently hosted the national forum in October 2025.

In the role, you will be expected to demonstrate that you are a team player as well as being able to work independently to resolve complex planning breaches, all whilst providing excellent customer service and adhering to both local and national policies and legislation. You will also be expected to have a pro-active approach and make best use of resources at all times, in addition to being aware and taking advantage of opportunities available to support and continually improve the service.

You will deliver on all relevant areas of planning enforcement, work closely with the Council’s Development Management Team to embrace a joined-up approach to deliver the Council’s aims and objectives and the continual improvement and transformation within Perth & Kinross Council.

This is a vital role where you will be responsible for managing your own caseload and investigating and dealing with planning breaches in a timeous and organised manner.

You will be supported with regular one-to-one and team meetings, to give support and encouragement whenever required.

Working with us is more than just a job. It’s being part of an organisation which puts people at the heart of all we do, providing opportunities to make a real difference to those who live, work, learn, and do business here by contributing to our vision of a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality.

Skills & Experience Required

This is a career grade structure post and you will be appointed depending upon your experience and qualifications.  Those starting as an Assistant Enforcement Officer will have the opportunity and support to progress to an Enforcement Officer once suitable experience has been obtained.

Assistant Enforcement Officer (TAS 6)

Assistant Enforcement Officer candidates must have experience of working in a relevant planning environment or significant experience in an enforcement related position (or one which involves interpretation of legislation) which has planning related duties, or, a relevant qualification in planning (or similar) at HNC or HND level.

Given the wide ranging nature of this role, a range of qualifications would be relevant, including: housing, environmental sustainability, social sciences, geography and planning.

All candidates must have:

• Demonstratable critical thinking skills.
• Proven interest in planning and the environment.
• Ability to deal with conflict.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation.

Enforcement Officer (PR8)

To be appointed as an Enforcement Officer, you must have at least a HNC in planning (or similar, as above), in addition to having suitable experience of working in a relevant planning environment in a planning related post.

You will also be expected to:

• Take the lead on enforcement cases at all levels.
• Monitor major development sites independently.
• Have good and sound knowledge of planning legislation.
• Communicate effectively through verbal and formal written documentation including the preparation and serving of Enforcement Notices.
• Use your organisational skills to plan, prioritise, schedule work, manage conflicting priorities and contribute to the needs of the team/service.
• Represent the Service on corporate and external working groups.
• Have the ability to update the Planning Enforcement Charter and relevant web pages and documents.
• Lead by example in demonstrating expected behaviours; inspiring colleagues to follow your example.
• Act independently, only referring matters up when required.
• Have sound knowledge and understanding of the planning profession.
• Where appropriate, mentor Assistant Enforcement Officers, specifically assisting with cases where required.
• Undertake Financial responsibilities – authorising certain payments.
• Be on the Duty Planning Officer rota and assist Assistant Enforcement Officers with more complex duty queries

For either position:

• You will be passionate, ambitious, collaborative and resilient, with a track record of delivering results.
• You will be experienced in achieving excellent customer service and be able to demonstrate your approach towards resolving planning breaches in an effective manner.
• You will be able to demonstrate you can align to our values of ambition, compassion and integrity.
• You must have a valid driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.

 

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. 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 Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time
• Access to a range of benefits

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

For purposes of connection and collaboration with colleagues and with the community we serve, our full-time employees work on site for a minimum of 2 days per week with the arrangements for part time employees being agreed on a basis which will ensure that they benefit to an equivalent degree.

Our FAQs on hybrid working can be found here Hybrid working FAQs

We are committed to being a more inclusive employer - to ensure we can consider any reasonable adjustments, please either contact the recruiting manager to discuss any individual circumstances, discuss at interview or, if you prefer, after any conditional offer is made.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Sean Panton, Team Leader for Major Applications and Enforcement at SPanton@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses.  One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming 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.

To comply with Baseline Personnel Security Standard, you will be required to complete a Disclosure Scotland check.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.