An exciting opportunity has arisen within Aberdeenshire Council’s Policy Team. The Policy Team plays a key role within the Planning and Economy Service and is responsible for helping to create the conditions for sustainable growth across Aberdeenshire. Working to a Team Leader and Senior Planner, the successful candidate will contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of an up-to-date, long-term land use planning framework.
This position is on a fixed term basis to 31 March 2027. The post provides an opportunity to gain invaluable transferrable experience on new style Local Development Plans.
We are at a transformative point as we move towards preparing the Proposed Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2027. During the fixed term contract period, the team’s primary focus will be preparing the Proposed Plan. This will include analysis of national, regional and local policies and strategies to inform policy development, carrying out technical assessments, and preparing settlement statements. Engagement with Key Agencies, stakeholders, communities and elected members will be central to this stage of plan preparation.
Details of the outputs and timetable for this work are set out in the Development Plan Scheme, available at Process and Timescales - Development Plan Scheme - Aberdeenshire Council (https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/plans-and-policies/process-and-timescales/). This document provides a clear indication of the scope of work to which the team is committed.
You will work collaboratively across the Planning and Economy Service and with stakeholders, communities, businesses and other public sector partners. The team works closely together to explore and discuss the issues arising from the new approach to local development plan preparation. As we are all following a new plan preparation process, inexperience can be balanced by an enquiring mind, enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, clear communication skills, the ability to take initiative and an agile approach.
This is an exciting opportunity for a wide range of candidates, including planners with or without RTPI membership, planning graduates, or individuals with a degree in a related discipline who can demonstrate that they are progressing a career in planning.
This post forms part of a Career Progression Scheme, and the successful candidate will be appointed to the scale appropriate to their qualifications and experience. Please see the Job Profiles for further details.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to quality service delivery through continuous improvement for the benefit of the Service and the organisation.
Hybrid working is encouraged, with access to a team workspace at Woodhill House, Aberdeen. Aberdeenshire Council also operates a flexi-time system.
Fixed term for a period not exceeding 31 March 2027
Informal enquiries to Alanna Fordyce on 01467 539369
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This post has a minimum requirement of one reference, which must be your current or most recent employer.
