Planner/Planning Trainee

October 28, 2025

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Job Purpose:

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for.

Location: Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen
Duration: Permanent, Full Time

R oles that require PVG Membership

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023 , where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership . This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above . (Teaching roles and jobs at Grade 11 and above (currently £31,505 per annum / £ 17.31 per hour)

The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members , and this cost will be deducted from an employee's first FULL month's salary payment.

Job purpose/about the role

Responsible to a Team Leader as part of a team caring for the built and natural environment and creating the conditions for growth for Aberdeen through the development and implementation of an up-to-date and long-term land use and transportation planning framework and related matters to comply with statutory requirements.

Aberdeen is a forward looking and culturally vibrant City with a proud architectural heritage situated at the heart of a region with an enviable quality of life. The post holder will be responsible for a challenging and diverse workload as part of the Development Plan Team. Appointment will be at Planner or Planning Trainee level dependent on interview, experience and qualifications. Trainees will have the opportunity of moving from Trainee to Planner grade upon obtaining RTPI membership and demonstrating sufficient experience, knowledge and aptitude.

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

Degree (or equivalent) in Planning or a related discipline (eg. Geography, Environmental Studies, Architecture, Urban Design etc);
Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute. (Planner Role)

The postholder is able to demonstrate:

Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills;
Workload planning;
Negotiation and Mediation;
Working in partnership;
Ability to work well with colleagues to achieve objectives.

About Us

Please see the Job Profile for further details.

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. For further information, please see our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Recruitment pack.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact .

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a gold award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: . We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for who:

have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (all jobs)
looked after young people, those that are in continuing care or are a care leaver up to the age of 29 (all jobs)
are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Please note that eligibility to work in the UK is dependent on legal status and all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Further information can be found at

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Common Interview Questions And Answers

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