Executive Planner

THE COMPETITION 

The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Laois County Council from which temporary or permanent posts may be filled at Executive Planner level as vacancies arise.

THE ROLE

This is a senior position within the Planning Department reporting to the Senior Planner and/or another employee nominated by the Chief Executive. The Executive Planner is responsible for managing elements of the Planning Department and providing a multiplicity of services to Local Authorities.

Reporting to the appropriate line manager, the Executive Planner will be responsible for the efficient management of their prescribed work area within the planning or related function. This is a management role. Managers at this level work within defined parameters relevant to the position, in accordance with the Local Authority’s vision and objectives. The Executive Planner will be required to work closely with elected Councillors to deliver the full range of services and implement local policy decisions.

In the current economic climate, managers are charged with service delivery and change management in an environment of limited resource availability, both human and financial. Delivery of efficient services and value for money is crucial.

Key Service Areas:

Executive Planner positions are multi-faceted and may include assignment to some or all the following key service areas within the Local Authority:

• Development Management

• Planning Enforcement

• Forward Planning and Sustainable Development

• Community Development

THE QUALIFICATIONS 

• CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

• HEALTH:

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render an efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

• EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ETC:

Education, training, experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -

• hold a qualification in Planning (at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications);
• have at least five years’ satisfactory relevant experience of planning work;
• possess a high standard of technical training and expertise; and
• a high degree of administrative experience.

***Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document. Failure to do so will deem your application inadmissible***

The Ideal Candidate Shall:

The ideal candidate shall be able to demonstrate the following; 

• have experience of analysing and considering new and emerging national and/or regulatory policies and guidelines in a town planning context with a view to assessing the implications of such developments and responding to same.

• have experience of preparation or assessment of planning applications and pre-application proposals in the context of applicable planning policies and regulations.

• have experience of participating in managing and leading multi-disciplinary and cross functional teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, encourage and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under his/ her control.

• have a track record of delivering results.

• have an understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland, particularly as they relate to the planning function, or have the ability to quickly acquire same.

• be capable of working in close consultation with key stakeholders and in seeking co-operation and consensus with a whole range of bodies and representative groups.

• be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, presentations and reports, taking customer feedback and ensuring any learning from same is used to enhance the operations of the organisation.

• be experienced in contributing to the operational and strategic planning processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims of same.

• have excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.

• have good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation the implications for the organization and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

• have experience of managing finance and budgets and ensuring value for money.

• have experience of providing information on the pattern of demand and activity and the skills to schedule/programme the carrying out of work.

• have good general ICT skills.

• have a focus on the customer and on service improvement including taking ownership and resolving issues arising.

On the date of appointment persons must possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category B), as successful candidates may be required to drive a vehicle in the course of their duties.

THE PRINCIPAL TERMS & CONDITIONS 

• PARTICULARS:

The position is whole time, permanent and pensionable. 

The Council reserves the right to, at any time, re-assign an employee to any department now or in the future

• PROBATION:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of this local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

• There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation:
• Such period shall be ten months but the Chief Executive may, at his/her discretion, extend such period
• Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory:
• There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period. Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice.

• REMUNERATION:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale: €59,607 - €82,108 LS2 – EL 03/2025

In accordance with EL02/2011 starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

• DUTIES:

The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the employees from time to time by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputizing for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to them in relation to the area of any other local authority.

Key Duties:

The main duties and responsibilities of the role of Executive Planner include, but are not limited to, the following: -

• To assess planning applications and pre-application proposals against the Council’s policies and provide recommendations and policy responses to these as required.

• To prepare and implement development plan documents and prepare reports on these matters for the appropriate Committees of the Council.

• Interacting with Planning Authorities in matters related to preparation of Development Plans, Variations, etc.

• Liaising and working with other planning authorities and other public authorities on all aspects of implementation.

• Monitoring and reporting on implementation progress.

• Monitoring and assisting with county development plan and local area plan preparation/reviews.

• Implementing agreed milestones and timescales, setting achievable targets and indicators.

• Assist in public consultation and engagement exercises related to Planning.

• Assist individuals, groups, etc. on regional planning matters as requested.

• Report regularly and as required on regional planning issues.

• Carrying out planning enforcement duties.

• To supervise and manage staff in their functional area as required.

• Any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• RESIDENCE:

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

8. SUPERANNUATION:

The superannuation contributions of relevant scheme will apply.

9. ANNUAL LEAVE:

The annual leave entitlement for the position of Executive Planner is 30 days per annum.

10. SICK LEAVE:

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON TO GO TO THEIR CAREERS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN CHECK THIS JOB AND ALL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.