Planning Information Officer 2026

Supporting statement

As part of your application, you must provide us with a Supporting Statement which outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. Without a Supporting Statement, your application will not be progressed. Your Supporting Statement must not be a CV.

Fife Council is Scotland’s third-largest local authority, with an award-winning Planning Authority, and we currently have a vacancy for a GIS Planning Information Officer to assist with the collection, analysis and management of spatial land-use information to support the preparation, maintenance and publication of the annual Vacant and Derelict Land Audit.

Whether you are a recent graduate with experience of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a seasoned GIS technician, or whether you’re looking to develop your career in planning and spatial data management, Fife Council has much to offer.

You will work alongside GIS professionals in our small and friendly Planning Policy, Research and Information Team, but will collaborate, and will be supported, more widely by our family of GIS technicians across the Planning, Climate & Sustainability Service, and across the Council.

You will maintain records and GIS datasets of vacant and derelict land, will undertake research, and will liaise with stakeholders in the preparation of reports to support planning, regeneration and economic development objectives.

Duties will include:

• Maintaining and updating records of vacant and derelict land sites across the Council area.
• Undertaking site surveys to collect information on land use, ownership, site condition and development status.
• Using GIS and database systems to manage spatial and property information.
• Analysing land use and statistical data to identify trends and support reporting requirements.
• Preparing maps, reports and supporting documentation for the annual Vacant and Derelict Land Audit.
• Liaising with internal Council services, public agencies, landowners and developers to verify site information.
• Responding to enquiries relating to vacant and derelict land information.
• Supporting wider planning, regeneration and land use monitoring activities as required.

The person

You should be an enthusiastic and self-motived individual educated to a minimum of SCQF Level 7, which includes an HNC or Advanced Highers, or perhaps an HND or even a degree in a relevant discipline e.g., GIS, Information Technology, Planning, Geography or Environmental Management. Alternatively, you should be able to clearly demonstrate practical, relevant skills or work experience equivalent to this level.

You will bring experience of working with data, the analysis of statistical information, knowledge of IT systems and Microsoft Office applications.

You should be capable of digitising to GIS industry standards and have experience in, or knowledge of, a technical or data driven role.

You will have strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in planning, GIS and regeneration, working on a nationally significant dataset that helps shape future development and investment priorities.

Applicants must meet the minimum specified criteria in the role profile and must demonstrate this within the Supporting Statement of their application.

• Role Profile – When preparing your supporting statement, review the role profile and think about how you meet the essential criteria.
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As a progressive employer, we offer the opportunity to work in this role as a “blended working” arrangement with home-working opportunities and occasional office-working as required. While the significant part of the role can and will be carried out remotely, candidates should be able to travel to and attend office locations in Fife as required.