Meath Senior Executive Planner 2026: application guide

The Senior Executive Planner can work across development management, forward planning, project delivery and enforcement. The post also contributes to climate action, active travel and sustainable transport with other disciplines.

The qualification and experience gate

Candidates need a planning qualification at least at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications and at least seven years of satisfactory relevant planning experience.

The booklet also requires high technical expertise, administrative and management experience, and knowledge of public-service organisation or the ability to acquire it. Qualification certificates and transcripts must be uploaded with the application.

The job spans policy and individual decisions

Duties include preparation and implementation of development-plan documents, analysis of new national policy, work with adjoining authorities and regional bodies, progress monitoring and assessment of planning applications and pre-application proposals.

The role can also contribute to capital and regeneration projects, Part 8 processes, enforcement, strategic projects, heritage, conservation, building control and taking-in-charge.

An application that covers only one casework stream may look too narrow. Show how you can move between policy, statutory decisions, people and delivery.

Pick examples with a visible planning judgement

For policy work, state the emerging requirement, the local implication, your analysis and what changed in the plan or programme.

For a development case, identify the policy and regulatory frame, material considerations, consultation or stakeholder tension and your recommendation. Avoid retelling the entire file. The panel needs your judgement.

For leadership, use a multidisciplinary project or planning programme with targets, staff or consultants, deadlines and a public outcome. Make employee or conflict management visible if it was part of the work.

What the test clause means

The booklet permits shortlisting and says online assessment may be used where candidate numbers are large. It does not confirm an aptitude test, name a format or provide a test window.

There is also an optional Irish-language assessment for extra marks. It is separate from the core selection route and does not turn this into a mandatory language competition.

Do not begin generic numerical or verbal practice on the strength of conditional text. Build the application, then respond to any assessment notice actually issued. The publicjobs application process explains that sequence.

Pages to mark

Pages 5 and 6 describe the work. Pages 7 and 8 contain the essential and ideal criteria. Page 9 explains the qualification documents. Selection and shortlisting begin around page 17.

This independent guide uses official material checked on 14 August 2026. Confirm the live sources before applying.