Planning Specialist - 20222

2
London, South East
London, Welwyn Garden City
Alchemy, Bessemer Road, AL7 1HE, Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Full Time
Planning
£36,389
‘Adapt or die’. These were the recent words of our Chair when speaking about the country’s resilience to climate change. If you want a career that contributes to a more sustainable environment then we have the perfect opportunity.

We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic Planning Specialists in two of our teams. You will be on the frontline engaging with local planning authorities, developers and consultants to ensure that the growth and regeneration planned over the next 15 years is delivered in a way which protects and enhances the environment for future generations.

In Hertfordshire and North London Area (HNL) we have significant environmental challenges including: protecting communities from flooding in one of the most populated parts of the country; improving internationally rare chalk streams; areas of vulnerable groundwater; historic land contamination; and numerous environmentally sensitive areas. You will influence growth and development in HNL through major projects and local plan consultations to deliver positive outcomes for people and the environment.

The successful candidate will be able to achieve high quality results, build effective and influential relationships whilst delivering local and strategic priorities. You will need to be able to deliver to deadlines under challenging work pressures.
The Sustainable Places & Major Projects Teams are both in a department that works in partnership with stakeholders to deliver EA2025 goals and ambitions. Both Teams seek to influence outcomes for the environment, working with others and through the planning system. This includes flood risk reduction, pollution prevention, promotion of water efficiency and river corridor enhancement.
Essential

• Qualification to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• Experience working with major planning applications
• Experience working with Local Plans
• Project management skills
• Leadership and coaching skills
• An ability to thrive in a high workload, high pressure environment
• Effective influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent customer services skills
• An ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences
• A flexible, positive approach and a proven ability to achieve results
• An ability to effectively train and coach others
• An awareness and understanding of the political framework and internal national context we work within

Desirable

• Professional membership such as RTPI, CIWEM etc.
We encourage you to apply and share your skills and experience to help us deliver our goals. You might be in the early stages of your career, experienced in a different sector, looking for a new challenge or returning to work. We are an inclusive organisation and warmly welcome applicants from culturally and/or socially diverse backgrounds. We are a Stonewall Top 100 Employer and we champion diversity at every opportunity.


One position is based in London at 2 Marsham Street and one at our Area office in Welwyn Garden City. Please note that some travel across Hertfordshire and North London may be required.

Positions based in London attract London Weighting

Contacts: Richard Burr
email: richard.burr@environment-agency.gov.uk

You can also download the candidate pack for more information.

12/12/2021, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Legislative Knowledge
As part of this role, you need to demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of Town and Country Planning Act legislation and the planning system. You will be a point of contact imparting this knowledge to team members and drawing on it to influence our stakeholders and customers. Please can you tell us how your experience through your current or previous roles demonstrates you have the required specialist knowledge and skills for this role.
Achieves Results
In this role you will be managing large scale development projects. Please give an example that demonstrates your ability to prioritise and organise tasks and resources, to ensure the timely achievement of results of a major project.
Coaches Others
As a Planning Specialist, you will regularly provide support and guidance to the team. Describe a situation where you’ve had to coach a new member of your team. How did you approach this, what were the main challenges and what was the outcome?
Influences and Persuades Others
A key part of this role will be influencing and persuading both internal and external stakeholders and customers. What are your preferred methods of influencing and persuading? Please provide an example that demonstrates these approaches where you achieved a desired outcome, along with any challenges you may have faced.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.