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Shetland Islands Council

Shetland - a place to belong

Shetland is a special place, with a strong tradition of welcoming people from different cultures and countries. It has a flourishing and diverse economy full of opportunity and interest, and offers a lifestyle like nowhere else. The council is the biggest employer and offers a range of roles in every part of the isles, all with a chance to make a real impact on the community.

A population of 22,000 lives across three major islands and a dozen smaller ones, in the 7,500-resident capital Lerwick, colourful villages like Scalloway and a host of smaller crofting townships and more remote settlements. Famed for its stunning seascapes across 1700 miles of coastline, its wildlife, outdoor activities and modern infrastructure, Shetland’s position 400 miles south of the Arctic Circle provides it with long, light summer nights and starlit, dark winter skies. With the constant chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

It can be stormy and startlingly calm, but always beautiful with often surprisingly mild winters. Shetland is remote, but connected. It’s archaeology goes beyond the vikings to the Picts and before, but the past half century has seen huge changes, largely funded by the offshore oil industry. Fishing, aquaculture, textiles, tourism and now renewable energy are major economic drivers.

Working for the council, you’ll face unique island challenges and issues familiar in any local authority. We’re ready to welcome you.

For more information visit the Shetland Islands Council website

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Working Here

Shetland - a move that can make a difference

The council provides a range of essential services and support to 22,000 people across 15 inhabited islands, so we’re looking for flexible, creative people who enjoy Shetland’s sometimes unusual challenges.

We actively encourage applications from anyone interested in living and working in Shetland and we have opportunities for a huge range of skill sets.

As well as the range of services any local authority must provide, Shetland is home to one of Europe's largest ports, the Sullom Voe Terminal, which is operated by the council, and we're one of the few local authorities which operates both its own ferry services and airports. So we can offer some unusual career moves.

But in every aspect of council work, there are advantages and opportunities unique to Shetland: close, small teams, your very visible place in the community, and a management committed to transparency, accountability, staff welfare and we offer generous terms and conditions.

We believe in investing in our employees, so professional and personal development is thoroughly supported, with training opportunities within the isles and elsewhere, often using video conferencing and other forms of interactive digital education.

Shetland offers challenges, opportunities, career growth and a sense of accomplishment in a unique environment. It may not be for everyone, but we’re looking for special people who’ll thrive in this special place.

For more information visit the Shetland Islands Council website

Find out more about living in Shetland

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Living Here

Shetland - living life to the full

Shetland has space for you and your family to settle and grow, excellent, modern schools and the kind of warm welcome that makes settling in easy.

There’s a wide range of housing, from town apartment to remote crofthouse, all offering swift access to Shetland’s stunning landscape and thrilling coastline. It’s a safe place to raise a family, offering children great freedom, but Shetland is lively, with a bustling social and sports scene and activities for everyone. And not just those committed to the outdoor life, though the isles are justly famed for birdwatching, sailing, walking, otter and whale spotting and much more.

There’s a state of the art cinema and arts complex offering first run movies and many visiting musical stars. A network of museums and busy community halls. Acclaimed restaurants, bars, and cafes, and not just in Lerwick. Music is a crucial part of community life, with a range of festivals year-round, including the internationally-famed Folk Festival. Of course, Up Helly Aa lightens the winter with Viking fire.

The council tax is relatively low and health provision excellent, with a 52-bed hospital and the full range of GP, optician and dental services. Our colleges offer courses to degree level, in disciplines from ship management to art and design, catering to aquaculture, music production to textiles.

And while Shetland may seem far away, it’s well connected. Superb roads, frequent bus services, reliable inter-island ferries and increasingly, superfast broadband. There are nightly sailings to the Scottish mainland and frequent daily flights to a variety of destinations. Residents qualify for discounted fares.

Comfortable, safe, exciting, both familiar and unlike anywhere else. Shetland is a place to be at home.

For more information visit the Shetland Islands Council website

Find out more about living in Shetland