(Temporary ThreeYear Fixed Term Contract)
SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify.
Opportunity starts here
Come to SDCC to do your greatest work. Were forward-thinking and focused on diversity, inclusion and community. As an equal opportunities employer, were opening the doors to new careers, creating flexible ways of working and putting people at the heart of everything we do.
We are responsible for local government in South Dublin County. Working with us offers the chance to make a real difference in your community, gain experience at the heart of local government and develop your career in a diverse work environment. We provide structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring, along with flexible and blended working arrangements and a positive work environment.
Welcome to a team thats making a difference powered by people like you.
Applications
Applications will only be accepted through SDCCs e-Recruitment system before midnight on Thursday, 12th February 2026.
The Role
The Graduate Planner will work as part of a team in the Councils busy Planning Department, under the supervision and direction of an Executive or Senior Executive Planner, who will also provide mentoring over the contract period. At times, the post-holder will be required to work on their own initiative on a broad range of projects.
The office is wholetime, temporary and pensionable, on a fixed term contract of three years. The successful candidate will hold the post of Graduate Planner for one three-year period only. Offers will be made subject to submission of satisfactory evidence of an honours degree (level eight or higher in the National Framework of Qualifications) prior to taking up duty.
Salary
€39,346 €42,184 €46,244 €49,947
Hours of Work
The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week. SDCC reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.
Annual Leave
Annual leave entitlement for this position is 24 days.
Qualifications
Character
Candidates will be of good character.
Health
Each candidate must be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of regular and efficient service.
Essential Education, Training And Experience
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
* Hold an honours degree (level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Planning; or
* Be in the final year of an honours degree (level eight in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Planning and be in a position to commence employment upon completion of the degree course (evidence of holding an honours degree at level eight or higher prior to taking up duty will be required).
This Graduate Planner competition is designed for individuals at the beginning of their professional planning career, supporting emerging talent with practical experience, core skill development and progression within a structured, supportive local authority environment.
Desirable Education, Training And Experience
* Possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category A1, A and/or B), as driving may be required in the course of duties.
* Ability to work independently or within multi-disciplined teams.
* Capability to work on own initiative.
* Understanding of good planning practice.
* Good professional knowledge and skills.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage a wide range of people.
* Good organisation skills.
* Good IT skills.
* Understanding of customer service and the functions of the Council.
* Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and employees, and their application in the workplace.
Key Competencies / Skills
* Delivering results
* Personal effectiveness
* Local government knowledge and understanding
Candidates are asked to provide an example of a situation demonstrating the behaviours, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in these areas, clearly showing their suitability for the role and ensuring the scale and scope of the example is appropriate to this post and level.
Duties
Duties Will Include But Are Not Limited To
* Preparing material for presentations, meetings, publications and exhibitions.
* Attending public meetings and consultations.
* Managing your own work to achieve agreed objectives to a high standard within agreed and statutory timeframes.
* Assisting with office management tasks as assigned.
* Working on Development Plans, Local Area Plans, Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) Schemes, special projects, conservation, development management, planning information services and transportation/traffic or other areas as assigned.
* Working in the Development Management process, including assisting with processing planning applications and compliances, carrying out site inspections, participating in pre-planning, providing Part Eight advice and dealing with customer queries.
* Carrying out other duties as may be reasonably required to provide a planning service for the Council.
Holders of the office may be assigned to work in all appropriate areas over the course of their employment. These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.
Additional Information Booklet
OPPORTUNITY STARTS HERE
SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify.
Recruitment
Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of SDCC, either face to face or online via Microsoft Teams (as decided by SDCC). SDCC will not be responsible for any expenses incurred in attending interview. Applicants must have a good standard of written and spoken English. Candidates should be prepared for interview any time after the closing date; those who do not attend when and where required will have no further claim to consideration. Interview results will be available at]
Rolling Recruitment
Only applications submitted electronically through the Councils e-Recruitment system will be accepted. For some critical posts, SDCC operates rolling recruitment with no fixed closing date, allowing applications on an ongoing basis. Such competitions may close temporarily at short notice once sufficient applications are received, then re-open as needed. Rolling competitions will be clearly indicated in the advertisement. It is in applicants best interests to apply as early as possible.
Shortlisting
SDCC reserves the right to shortlist. Shortlisting may involve desktop shortlisting and/or preliminary interviews and will be based on the application form and likely number of vacancies. Applicants should give a detailed, accurate account of qualifications and experience and fully complete competency questions. Examples used for competencies must be appropriate in scale and scope for the position.
Panels
A panel may be formed from the interviews, valid for one year from the date of formation. Candidates on the panel who satisfy the Council that they meet the qualifications and are suitable may be appointed to vacancies arising during the life of the panel.
Acceptance of Offer
Appointees will be required to take up duty within a reasonable period determined by SDCC. Failure to do so, within that period or any extension at the Councils discretion, will result in no appointment being made.
Pre-Employment Checks
Successful candidates must undergo a medical examination by a medical practitioner nominated by SDCC. Appointment will not proceed without two satisfactory references from responsible, non-related persons (at least one from a current employer or, for voluntary work, a supervisor). Garda Vetting will be required under the National Vetting Bureau Act Ineligibility at any stage, or provision of inaccurate, untrue or misleading information, will result in disqualification, withdrawal of employment offer or dismissal.
Citizenship
Critical Skills Occupations
Candidates must hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit (stamp 1G) by the application date and ensure the post is on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
Non-Critical Skills Occupations
By the application date, candidates must be one of the following:
* A citizen of the EEA (EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway); or
* A citizen of the UK; or
* A citizen of Switzerland under the EUSwitzerland free movement agreement; or
* A non-EEA spouse/child of an EEA/UK/Swiss citizen with a stamp 4 visa; or
* A person granted international protection (or qualifying family member) with a stamp 4 visa; or
* A non-EEA parent of a dependent child who is a citizen and resident of an EEA state, the UK or Switzerland, with a stamp 4 visa.
For relief posts, holders of a stamp 2 (student) visa may work up to 20 hours per week.
Blended Working
SDCC supports flexible and balanced working and operates a Blended Working Policy under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Successful candidates may apply to work remotely up to two days per week where the role is suitable and subject to operational needs. Blended working cannot commence until six months of continuous employment have been completed, allowing for onboarding, training and integration.
Probation
On Appointment, The Following Applies
* A probationary period will apply.
* The standard probationary period is one year, extendable at the Chief Executives discretion.
* Employment will cease at the end of probation unless the Chief Executive certifies satisfactory service.
* The probationary period may be ended with one weeks notice under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts.
* Assessments will be carried out during probation.
Officers who have already completed probation with another Local Authority will not be required to serve probation again with SDCC.
Salary / Wages
Entry point on the salary scale will be in line with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage circulars. Under Circular EL 02/2011, anyone not serving in a local authority on or after 1 January 2011 will enter at the minimum of the scale. Rates may be adjusted in line with Government policy.
Duties
Under Section & (4) of the Local Government Act 2001, employees must perform the duties of the office and provide executive, administrative, technical or management services as required, under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or delegated officer. They may also be required to service Council committees and perform duties relating to any local authority area. The post-holder may be required to act for an officer at a higher level.
Residence
Holders of the office must reside within the district where duties are performed, or within a reasonable distance, as determined by SDCC.
Outside Employment
Employees may not engage in private practice or outside business that would interfere with the performance of official duties.
Superannuation Contribution
The Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.
* Class A PRSI officers contribute:
* 1.5% of pensionable remuneration, plus
* 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (pensionable remuneration less twice the maximum State contributory pension).
* Class D PRSI officers contribute 5% of pensionable remuneration.
The Spouses and Childrens / Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme continues to apply. New entrants join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme from appointment, which is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits, subject to a minimum of two years Local Authority service.
2025 Rates and Thresholds
Local Government Superannuation Scheme Members
* €0.00€34,500: 0%
* €34,500€60,000: 10%
* Over €60,000: 10.5%
Single Public Sector Pension Scheme Members
* €0.00€34,500: 0%
* €34,500€60,000: 3.33%
* Over €60,000: 3.5%
Retirement Age
There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Non-new entrants are subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65, or as otherwise determined by circulars and Government policy. The maximum retirement age for new entrants under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70. The Council may refer staff to a medical adviser at any time to assess fitness for duties.
Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)
Under Department of Finance Circular 12/09, retirees under ISER are barred from applying for another position in the same employment or sector; such retirees may not apply for this position