Planning Advisor (Town and Country Planning) (East Anglia, East Mids, Solent & S.Downs) - 36167

• Pre-Application advice,
• In some area teams, Local Development Plans
  
  
  

You will work closely with colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, and environmental management to manage and coordinate our expert advice. You will need to meet strict deadlines and targets under challenging work pressures. Alongside developing strong relationships with your Local Planning Authorities, you will also be working closely with developers and consultants, as well as having some engagement with water companies and government departments.

The successful candidate will need the ability to develop strong relationships, have excellent communication and customer service skills, and an awareness of the Government’s growth agenda, relevant planning systems, how the development industry in general operates as well as an understanding of Environment Agency objectives. This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of planning systems while developing valuable skills in project management, financial oversight, leadership, and innovation.

Incident response is central to our mission, everyone who joins us undertakes training and is expected to incident response, which could attract additional payments; full training is provided.

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies.

• Strong team ethic and ability to work independently.
• A proven ability to achieve results and proactively identify and solve problems.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Strong customer service, communication and relationship-building skills – both written and verbal.
• Excellent IT skills.
  
  
  

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the UK planning system and relevant legislation, particularly relating to local plans/supporting evidence and development management workstreams; 

Dealing with and advising on development issues and/or on complex environmental problems;  

A willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the environment and planning processes.

Good understanding of our broad business and environmental activities.

Job Description

If you are passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment, then this is your chance to make a meaningful impact.

We’re seeking a motivated, confident and enthusiastic person to join a team that engages with a range of customers to promote sustainable growth and secure the best possible environmental outcomes.

You will manage our engagement and relationship with a designated group of Local Planning Authorities, to advise and influence:

• Planning applications,
• Pre-Application advice,
• In some area teams, Local Development Plans
  
  
  

You will work closely with colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, and environmental management to manage and coordinate our expert advice. You will need to meet strict deadlines and targets under challenging work pressures. Alongside developing strong relationships with your Local Planning Authorities, you will also be working closely with developers and consultants, as well as having some engagement with water companies and government departments.

The successful candidate will need the ability to develop strong relationships, have excellent communication and customer service skills, and an awareness of the Government’s growth agenda, relevant planning systems, how the development industry in general operates as well as an understanding of Environment Agency objectives. This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of planning systems while developing valuable skills in project management, financial oversight, leadership, and innovation.

Incident response is central to our mission, everyone who joins us undertakes training and is expected to incident response, which could attract additional payments; full training is provided.

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies.

The team

Sustainable Places is a friendly and supportive team that work across departments to deliver EA2030 goals. We work closely with internal technical teams to evaluate environmental data, evidence and assessments and produce consolidated planning responses on behalf of the Environment Agency. Externally, we advise councils and developers to ensure development happens in the right way with the right environmental infrastructure to protect and enhance the environment.

Experience/skills Required

Essential:

You will have:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to successfully engage with a range of audiences.
• Strong team ethic and ability to work independently.
• A proven ability to achieve results and proactively identify and solve problems.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Strong customer service, communication and relationship-building skills – both written and verbal.
• Excellent IT skills.
  
  
  

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the UK planning system and relevant legislation, particularly relating to local plans/supporting evidence and development management workstreams; 
• Dealing with and advising on development issues and/or on complex environmental problems;  
• A willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the environment and planning processes.
• Good understanding of our broad business and environmental activities.
  
  
  

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an EA Office base location.

East Anglia and East Midlands SP teams operate a hybrid working policy, with all team members expected to attend the office in person twice a week as a minimum.

Solent and South Downs Team aspire to attend the office twice per week, but there is some flexibility depending on circumstances.

For the East Anglia team, a driver's licence is essential as Planning Advisors do have to travel for meetings which is not always possible using public transport.

See the Candidate Pack for information. Any queries, contact julie.adams@environment-agency.gov.uk

Interviews will be held via MS Teams 2-3 weeks after the closing date.

If you consent we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Competence 1

Achieves Results

Description

Description: 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:

In Sustainable Places we set out to achieve environmental gains through the planning system.

Please describe a situation when you have demonstrated your ability to prioritise and organise tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

Description

Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Question:

A key part of this role will be communicating with customers

Please give an example of a time when you have had to tailor your communication style to a specific individual/situation

Competence 3

Influences and Persuades Others

Description

Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Question:

In a Planning Advisor role, it is important you are able to influence others.

Can you tell us about a time when you have needed to persuade someone round to your point of view? How did you do this?

Competence 4

Managing the Agency’s Interaction in the Land Use Planning Process

Description

Description: Effectively co-ordinates the Environment Agency’s response to planning consultations to protect & enhance the environment

Question:

How have your qualifications and work experience given you the knowledge and expertise to perform this role?

Role specific license requirements

Full UK Driving Licence - for Ipwich and Brampton office options only

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