Senior Planner

About the organisation

Kerry County Council is the local authority for County Kerry, Ireland. The local government system in Ireland includes 31 local authorities and 3 Regional Assemblies, and councils provide a broad range of public services that support people, communities, and economic activity across cities, towns, and rural areas.

The council’s headquarters are at Áras an Chontae, Rathass, Tralee, County Kerry. It operates through five Municipal Districts: Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Kenmare, and Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne. The organisation has 33 elected members and about 1,500 staff.

Role overview

Kerry County Council is seeking a Senior Planner to lead the Land Activation and Planning Department. This is a senior leadership position reporting to a Director of Service. The postholder will help guide the department’s direction, ensure effective service delivery, and support the council’s wider corporate goals.

The role sits within clearly defined management parameters and must align with the council’s Corporate Plan, its strategic priorities, and the policy direction set by elected members. A strong focus on efficiency, public value, and high-quality service delivery is essential.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Management Team and elected representatives to deliver a full range of services, implement local policy decisions, and advance corporate objectives for the county and its communities, including visitors to Kerry.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day management, leadership, and development of the Land Activation and Planning Department.
• Work within the council’s strategic framework and contribute to the delivery of corporate objectives.
• Support and collaborate with the Senior Management Team and elected members on service delivery and policy implementation.
• Ensure planning and land activation services are delivered efficiently and represent good value for money.
• Help translate policy direction from the elected council into practical departmental action.

Requirements

The advert states that the complete list of essential criteria is provided in the Information Booklet. Applicants should refer to that document for the full set of mandatory qualifications, experience, and other requirements.

Equal opportunity

Kerry County Council says it is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.

Application deadline

The closing date for applications is 3:00 pm on Thursday, 25 June 2026.