Senior Planning Officer / Planning Specialist (Town and Country Planning) - 10042
1
South East
Reading , Wallingford
Kings Meadow House, Red Kite House
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Commercial, Operational Delivery, Planning, Policy
£34,879
We are seeking a highly motivated Planning Specialist to join the Thames Area Sustainable Places team.
The planning system is one of the key tools helping to deliver sustainable growth including new housing and infrastructure in our area. This is an exciting and challenging role focusing on engaging and influencing planning decision makers and developers. The role also offers opportunities to deepen your professional planning knowledge and develop your project management, innovation and leadership skills.
Your work will involve:
leading on the team’s high profile work-streams including major development projects and strategic planning matters to secure positive environmental outcomes;
providing technical expertise and guidance, primarily to Sustainable Places, but also to internal teams involved in the planning process;
using your effective written and spoken communication skills to influence customers while building strong partnerships;
training and coaching others to equip them with the knowledge and skills to resolve local issues, ensuring decisions are made on sound technical grounds and are in line with local and national guidance;
leading or participating in internal projects and working groups to achieve integrated solutions that progress continuous improvement;
supporting the Team Leader in leading and managing the team and taking ownership of improvement actions.
The planning system is one of the key tools helping to deliver sustainable growth including new housing and infrastructure in our area. This is an exciting and challenging role focusing on engaging and influencing planning decision makers and developers. The role also offers opportunities to deepen your professional planning knowledge and develop your project management, innovation and leadership skills.
Your work will involve:
leading on the team’s high profile work-streams including major development projects and strategic planning matters to secure positive environmental outcomes;
providing technical expertise and guidance, primarily to Sustainable Places, but also to internal teams involved in the planning process;
using your effective written and spoken communication skills to influence customers while building strong partnerships;
training and coaching others to equip them with the knowledge and skills to resolve local issues, ensuring decisions are made on sound technical grounds and are in line with local and national guidance;
leading or participating in internal projects and working groups to achieve integrated solutions that progress continuous improvement;
supporting the Team Leader in leading and managing the team and taking ownership of improvement actions.
The Thames Sustainable Places team are part of the Environment, Planning and Engagement department. We lead on the Environment Agency’s input into development, growth and planning policy matters. We seek to secure the best possible environmental outcomes by working closely with internal colleagues, 28 councils, numerous developers and strategic partners. Thames area has a diverse range of environmental issue and development pressures creating exciting opportunities for an interesting and diverse workload.
You will be able to demonstrate some or all of the following:
a proven ability to achieve results and proactively solve problems;
effective influencing and negotiation skills;
excellent communication and networking skills and be able to successfully communicate to a wide range of audiences;
an ability to effectively support and coach others;
extensive knowledge of the UK planning system and relevant legislation particularly relating to local plans/supporting evidence and development management work-streams
an awareness and understanding of the political framework we work within;
an ability to think creatively about opportunities for improvement and your adaptability to change;
good people and project management skills. An ability to work flexibly responding to competing demands in a challenging but rewarding workload environment;
qualified to at least degree standard or equivalent work history in a relevant discipline.
Membership or demonstration of progression towards membership of a relevant professional body is desirable but not essential.
a proven ability to achieve results and proactively solve problems;
effective influencing and negotiation skills;
excellent communication and networking skills and be able to successfully communicate to a wide range of audiences;
an ability to effectively support and coach others;
extensive knowledge of the UK planning system and relevant legislation particularly relating to local plans/supporting evidence and development management work-streams
an awareness and understanding of the political framework we work within;
an ability to think creatively about opportunities for improvement and your adaptability to change;
good people and project management skills. An ability to work flexibly responding to competing demands in a challenging but rewarding workload environment;
qualified to at least degree standard or equivalent work history in a relevant discipline.
Membership or demonstration of progression towards membership of a relevant professional body is desirable but not essential.
Closing: 31/03/2019
The role will be based at Red Kite House, Wallingford although regularly working from our Reading office may be considered.
You will be required to travel to other Environment Agency offices in the Thames Area and occasionally London. There will also be occasional travel to our customers’ sites and offices. The cost for these journeys will be covered by the Environment Agency.
We offer an extensive range of employee benefits including discounted activities and subsidised sports and social events. Other benefits are noted in the Candidate Information Pack.
For further details about this role please contact:
Until 19 March – Veronica James (Planning Specialist) on 02030259786 veronica.james@environment-agency.gov.uk or
From 20 March - Jonathan Fleming (Thames Sustainable Places Team Leader) on 02030259494 jonathan.fleming@environment-agency.gov.uk
The role will be based at Red Kite House, Wallingford although regularly working from our Reading office may be considered.
You will be required to travel to other Environment Agency offices in the Thames Area and occasionally London. There will also be occasional travel to our customers’ sites and offices. The cost for these journeys will be covered by the Environment Agency.
We offer an extensive range of employee benefits including discounted activities and subsidised sports and social events. Other benefits are noted in the Candidate Information Pack.
For further details about this role please contact:
Until 19 March – Veronica James (Planning Specialist) on 02030259786 veronica.james@environment-agency.gov.uk or
From 20 March - Jonathan Fleming (Thames Sustainable Places Team Leader) on 02030259494 jonathan.fleming@environment-agency.gov.uk
31/03/2019, 23:55 hours
Basic Check
Achieves Results
Your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.
Please describe a time when you were set particularly high work standards and how you ensured these were delivered. Use this example to demonstrate your organisation of tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Please describe a time when you were set particularly high work standards and how you ensured these were delivered. Use this example to demonstrate your organisation of tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Coaches Others
Your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.
Please explain the methods and skills you would use to develop others and outline any challenges you may encounter.
Please explain the methods and skills you would use to develop others and outline any challenges you may encounter.
Influences and Persuades Others
Your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.
Please give an example of a time that you had to present a case in a convincing and attractive way to win over your audience. Describe the obstacles you faced, the techniques you used and the outcomes you experienced.
Please give an example of a time that you had to present a case in a convincing and attractive way to win over your audience. Describe the obstacles you faced, the techniques you used and the outcomes you experienced.
Managing the Environment Agency’s Interaction in the Land Use Planning Process
Your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.
Please summarise your experience of working with the UK town and country planning system. Please note, this does not have to be related to the Environment Agency.
Please summarise your experience of working with the UK town and country planning system. Please note, this does not have to be related to the Environment Agency.
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.
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.