Future Planners Programme 2025: candidate guide

About the role

Duties and responsibilities

Requirements of the role will vary in each of the 3 work placements but will generally include: 

• helping to process planning and energy applications and appeals, from validation through to assessment and decision
• providing initial screening, scoping, assessment and consultation for environmental impact assessment
• helping to inform decisions through interpretation of policy and other relevant documentation
• identifying appropriate engagement platforms and assisting in the delivery of a variety of consultation techniques to support policy delivery
• preparing initial briefing packs and compiling information for Scottish Ministers to respond to a range of external requests, correspondence and general enquiries
• supporting reporters and senior appeal planners to undertake gatechecks and examinations of development plans

As a general guide, we expect Student Planners on the programme to:

• be flexible and adapt to working in a variety of roles
• take responsibility and deal positively with challenges
• prioritise your workload, communicate well, be resilient, and support others
• learn quickly, balance different interests, engage with colleagues and live our values

Working pattern

The standard working week for Scottish Government is 35 hours. On this programme participants will work for 21 hours with the remaining hours per week available for postgraduate course attendance and personal study.

Location

Student Planners will be based at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh and will be required to work from this office for most of their working days, with some travel requirements to offices in Glasgow and Falkirk. In line with Scottish Government policy, there may be the opportunity for hybrid working, with some home working available.

Student Planners will attend one of the partner universities for their postgraduate course of study (University of Dundee, University of Glasgow or Heriot-Watt University). See the University section of this guide for further information on entry requirements and attendance, including details of in-person versus hybrid learning. Where travel to university is required, those travel costs will be paid by the Scottish Government.

Probationary period

The probation period runs for nine months and starts with an induction period. Your manager will work with you to create a set of objectives and development activities to support you in your role within each placement.

You will meet regularly with your manager to assess your progress throughout the probation period and discuss your performance, development, conduct and attendance. This will include monthly conversations, an interim probation review, and a final probation review.