Senior Planning Officer

Job Description

To assist the Principal Planning Officers (Development Management) by supervising the Systems Technical Assistant(s)/Planning Assistant(s)/Planning Officer(s), including the signing of work.

 

Making decisions and providing professional advice on Planning Applications and other Development Management matters in accordance with agreed objectives.

 

Responsibilities

To assist with the day to day supervision of Systems Technical Assistant(s)/Planning Assistant(s)/Planning Officer(s) engaged in Development Management and to provide advice on workload and signing of work

To assist the Principal Planning Officers with Enforcement related casework as and when the need arises

Determining Planning Applications and other related consents

Determining whether planning permission is required. This may include attendance at the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee.

Responding to preliminary enquiries about the likelihood of planning consent for proposals

Discharging planning conditions, and assist the Condition Compliance Officer.

Preparing Planning Appeal submissions on behalf of the Council

Carrying out enforcement duties as required to assist Enforcement Officer

Contributing to the effectiveness of the service

 

The Individual

Significant Development Management experience including processing and determining major Planning Applications

Degree/Diploma in Planning or related subject

MRTPI

High level of diplomacy and ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of customers High level of personal initiative and ability to meet performance deadlines and undertake a caseload with the minimum of supervision

Excellent written skills

Effective communication, presentation and negotiating skills

Effective analytical and evaluative abilities and clear thinking

Experience of Microsoft Office including software packages such as Excel and Word

Strong customer care skills and focus

Self-confidence and Self motivated

Ability to interpret Planning Legislation and Planning Policies and apply them to a specific case

Able to multi task

A commitment to deliver quality services to agreed standards Research capabilities

You will be expected to travel efficiently and effectively between various work locations within Moray to meet the operational requirements of the Service. Due to the rural nature of Moray this is normally undertaken by use of a car/van

Ability to form productive and enabling working relationships

Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines

Ability to deal sensitively and tactfully with people who may not agree with decisions made

Willing to accept direction/ delegation

Appreciation, acceptance and commitment to the importance of confidentiality

Ability to work in the office, or remotely from home where job is hybrid in nature

Ability to make site visits when required including accessing restricted spaces, locations in rural, rough ground

Ability to work in an open plan office

Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs and demands of the service

Ability to work in different offices dependent on service requirements

 

Closing Date: 7 August 2026

Starting Salary: £52,478.40

£27.84 per hour

36.25 hours per week

Interviews to be held on week commencing 10 August 2026

For further information contact: William Clark, Development Management & Building Standards Manager at William.Clark@moray.gov.uk