As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve and continue to develop diversity throughout our workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation or religion.
We support flexible working hours and practices. We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career.
The role
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic person to join the Environment Agency’s Solent & South Downs Sustainable Places Team. Your work will help make a better place for people and wildlife for years to come. You'll achieve this by influencing developers during pre-application discussions, influencing Local Authorities through their strategic local plans and through our role as a statutory consultee on planning applications.
You will manage your own caseload with support from colleagues. You will also help support your colleagues when required. Your work will help protect future generations from flooding, clean up land contamination, protect and improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.
Your work will involve
- managing a case load of planning work for your geographical patches including planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessments, Marine Licence applications, pre-planning cost recovery consultations and potentially some local plan work.
- building relationships internally and externally so that you successfully influence outcomes and help deliver environmental outcomes.
- coordinating and presenting advice from various internal functions to a range of customers, partners, and place makers in a variety of methods.
- identifying and embracing new ways of working to improve our efficiency and customer service.
The team
You will join a local team that takes pride in delivering environmental results. We have a diverse group of knowledgeable and friendly people who are keen to positively influence the Environment Agency’s input into the planning process. We take a pragmatic approach to our work and developing our skills to become more evidence led, business focused and customer orientated. To do this the team works closely with numerous internal technical experts across the Environment Agency.
Experience/skills required
Applicant desired to be qualified to degree standard (equivalent or working towards) in a relevant discipline or with relevant experience. Skills and experience to include:
- Experience of Town and Country Planning System and environmental issues (desired but not essential).
- Understanding of the Town and Country Planning System and the Environment Agency role within it.
- Ability to think strategically and consider the bigger picture.
- A positive and enthusiastic attitude, with a drive to seek innovative ways of working.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to positively respond to changing and challenging priorities within set timescales.
- Self-motivated and able to work both independently and part of a team.
- Strong customer service, communication and relationship building skills – both written and verbal.
- Establishing and maintaining a wide network through confident negotiation and influencing.
- Ability to make sound decisions based on complex factors.
Additional information
A full driving licence would be beneficial but not essential for this role as travel will be required
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 .
