Sustainable Places Planning Specialist - 35918

Job Description

Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to have a meaningful impact.

We are looking for a proactive and motivated person to influence development to ensure the natural environment is protected and enhanced alongside supporting the Government's growth mission.

You will:

• Be a strong team player who enjoys ‘making things happen’.
• Coordinate our pre-planning and planning advice on strategic growth proposals. This will include working with, and influencing developers, local authorities, Government departments and housing delivery organisations.
• Work collaboratively with internal colleaguestodeliver innovative multi-functional approaches to addressing challenging environmental issues. These include water quality, water resources, flood risk and climate change.
• Proactively lead at a senior strategic level to develop and maintain influential external networks that support our organisational objectives, while remaining mindful of political sensitivities.
• Provide strong technical leadership which inspires, motivates and develops the team and other colleagues.
• Support the Team Leader in developing the team and taking ownership of improvement initiatives and actions.

There will be a requirement for regular travel to offices and sites to meet customers and partners.

You’ll receive full support, induction, and the equipment you need to thrive.

This role is a full-time role; however, considerations will be given to reasonable part‑time/flexible working requests in line with policy and business needs.

Important – If you consent to being held on a reserve list having passed the assessment during this recruitment round, we’ll hold your details for 6 months. We may look to utilise the reserve list for future expected recruitment rounds for similar roles.

Incident response is central to our mission. Everyone who joins us undertakes training and is expected to support incident response, which could attract additional payments.

The team

The Thames Sustainable Places Team, part of the Environment Planning and Engagement (EPE) Department, is a friendly and collaborative team shaping development and growth across the Thames area. We work closely with colleagues, councils, developers, water companies and government partners to provide expert planning and environmental advice, helping to deliver sustainable development and secure positive environmental outcomes for communities and the environment.

Experience/skills Required

You will have significant relevant experience in planning and be able to demonstrate the following:

• A qualification in, or practical experience of, Town and Country Planning or a relevant discipline.
• Working with the Environment Agency as a Planning Advisor or Planning Specialist or in a consultee team, or working for a developer, local planning authority, or other statutory consultee.
• Work using own initiative to build up new networks and relationships.
• Working with and influencing organisations and individuals to deliver environmental benefits.
• Problem solving with the ability to work on complex issues and opportunities.
• Confidence in communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
• Ability to provide pre-application and strategic advice, including the associated recovery of costs for this work.
• Team-working skills and experience in working flexibly, responding to changing demands in a high workload, high pressure environment.

Contact and additional information

This position is based in our Thames Area, with Red Kite House, Wallingford as a base location.

You will be expected to attend the office on a regular basis. The role will also require occasional travel to other offices and locations, including occasional overnight stays.

Please read the Candidate Information Pack carefully, and to discuss any specific aspects of the role contact or

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

The interviews for this role are expected to be held in October at Red Kite House, Wallingford.

Competence 1

Achieves Results

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Question – Describe a time when you have had to achieve an ambitious objective or goal.

Competence 2

Coaches Others

Uses variety of methods, including direct instruction, coaching and feedback skills to help others to develop.

Question - Describe a situation where you used coaching, feedback, or direct instruction to help someone achieve a task

Competence 3

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Question - Describe a time when you have had to co‑ordinate information from a variety of sources in order to solve a difficult technical problem.

Note regarding Civil Service

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non‑Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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