Salary: £45,714 - £53,286 (Band E)
Location: Grantown on Spey
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week (but part time hours of 30/week may be considered)
Closing Date: 23:59pm, Thursday 6 November 2025
Interview Date: Monday 8 December 2025
CNPA is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, as they are under-represented in the environment sector.
We are Disability Confident committed employer, if you are an applicant with disabilities who meets the essential requirements of the post, we will interview you. In all circumstances CNPA appoints on merit-based evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post.
The Cairngorms National Park (CNP) is the largest national park in the UK, covering 4500km2. It is also a place of sheer abundance, having more high mountain ground than anywhere else in the UK, the largest Caledonian forest, some of Scotland’s purest rivers and finest livestock rearing farmland. It is home to 25 percent of the UK’s rare and endangered species. It is a truly unique place to work, with our dedicated and passionate Planning team who are committed to delivering a high quality planning service, every day. Furthermore, there is access to some of the most beautiful countryside straight from our Headquarters office door.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) was recognised as one of Scotland's top 10 flexible employers and listed in the UK’s Top 100 best not for profit companies to work for; we’re dedicated to both this fantastic landscape and our employees.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) to join the CNPA and contribute, as part of a small team, to an efficient and effective Planning Service by undertaking planning casework, training and support for junior staff and delivering and improving the technical and administrative processes associated with the planning service.
As the Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) you will take responsibility for processing planning casework and providing planning advice on potential developments in the National Park while undertaking work across the functions of the planning service including development management, monitoring and enforcement and development planning.
You will support the “grow your own” graduate planner programme and may be required to line-manage planning staff. You will be line-managed by the Planning Manager (Development Management).
In the role you will manage your portfolio of caseload to deliver decisions within the Park Authority’s service standards while time managing your wider range of contributions to the team’s and wider services work.
So, if you are keen to be our Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.
To be considered as our Senior Planning Officer (Development Management), you’ll need:
- A recognised degree or equivalent in Town Planning or a closely related subject area.
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Considerable experience of development management in the context of a planning authority, including the processing and project management of major or controversial planning applications, planning appeals and working with Planning Committees.
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Up to date knowledge, understanding and experience of planning legislation, regulations, policies and current practice in relation to the Scottish planning system and the roles of partner agencies and other stakeholders within it.
For further information, please refer to the job description.
To apply, please click on the ‘Apply on Website’ button
Please note, we do not accept Curriculum Vitae (CV).
If you require more information, or if you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to disability please contact us on 01479 873535 or email: recruitment@cairngorms.co.uk
To see how the CNPA collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants, please view the Privacy Notice available on our website.
Additional support document Senior Planning Officer (Development Management)
The Cairngorms National Park Authority is a Non Departmental Public Body, and currently employs approximately 110 staff across a range of disciplines including Planning, Communities, Visitor Services, Conservation, Land Management, Communications and Corporate Services.
The purpose of the Park Authority is to promote partnership working and give leadership to all the bodies and agencies involved in the sustainable growth and development of the Cairngorms National Park. Through co-ordinating development and collective agreement of the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP), the Park Authority aims to ensure the 'collective and co-ordinated delivery' of the four aims of the National Park, which are:
a) To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;
b) To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;
c) To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public; and
d) To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities.
The Cairngorms National Park is one of the last wildernesses in the UK. It is a place of sheer abundance having more high level mountain ground than anywhere else in Britain or Ireland, the largest Caledonian forest, some of the UK’s purest rivers and it also hosts 25 per cent of the UK’s threatened species – it is a truly unique landscape.
Cairngorms National Park is more than just an idyllic place to work we were recognised as one of Scotland's top 10 flexible employers and listed in the UK’s Top 100 best not for profit companies to work for; we’re dedicated to both this fantastic landscape and our employees. Our Grantown on Spey headquarters is within easy reach of Aviemore and Inverness. We also offer many benefits such as; a great place to work, cycle to work scheme, generous annual leave allowance, flexitime and a very competitive pension scheme.
