Technical Specialist - Sustainable Places - 31332
Technical Specialist - Sustainable Places - 31332
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Job Description
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
Job Description
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be available. Please see the candidate pack for information on how you will support with this.
We are seeking a passionate, motivated, and experienced planner to join the Yorkshire Area Sustainable Places team at the Environment Agency. In this role, you will be at the forefront of embedding environmental priorities into the planning system, helping to shape sustainable, climate-resilient growth across the region.
You will engage with local planning authorities, developers, and decision-makers to ensure that environmental risks and opportunities are fully considered in planning decisions. Working closely with internal specialists in flood risk, land contamination, biodiversity, water quality, and environmental management, you’ll provide timely, expert advice to secure the best possible outcomes for people and the environment.
Responsibilities include:
* Managing planning consultations, including high-profile and complex developments.
* Providing technical guidance on development proposals.
* Influencing the preparation and review of Local Plans, including policies, evidence bases, and infrastructure delivery plans.
* Representing the Environment Agency at hearings, appeals, and public inquiries as an expert witness.
* Building and maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders to drive environmental improvements.
* Staying up to date with legislation, case law, and planning best practices.
The team
The Yorkshire Area Sustainable Places team respond to Development proposals and statutory planning application consultations from local planning authorities and planning decision makers. We feed into place-making through policy, offering advice on development plans such as local plans. We provide discretionary advice to planners, developers, and communities to aid decision-making.
We support each other through collaboration, hard work, and ongoing learning.
The team are based primarily in Leeds and York.
Experience/skills Required
The successful candidate will have a professionally recognised planning qualification, and either be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or be eligible for membership.
Proven experience of:
* Dealing with and advising on development issues and/or on complex environmental
problems.
* Demonstrable successful influencing.
* Communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
* Working with others to deliver environmental benefits.
* Outstanding technical knowledge and experience of dealing with a wide range of planning
and related applications.
You’ll be a skilled advisor on planning issues, taking and creating opportunities to achieve
sustainable economic prosperity that protects and enhances our environment.
We will encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout
your career.
Contact and additional information
We do not accept CVs, therefore, your answers to the competencies will be used for selection. You may find it helpful to use the STAR approach to answering the questions. Please see the attached candidate pack for the competency dictionary and further information.
Base location: Leeds or York
Office attendance will be required at twice per week, this requirement may vary due to business need.
Some travel required for off-site meetings, team days etc.
Interviews will be held w/c 11th & 18th August, in person or virtually on MS Teams (arrangements to be confirmed).
If you would like any further details, please contact Zoe Needham - Zoe.Needham@environment-agency.gov.uk for more information about this role.
Competence 1
Managing the Agency’s Interaction in the Land Use Planning Process
Description
Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Try to utilise the full word count where possible. A link to the capability dictionary, which outlines some of the key things we're looking for in your answers, can be found in the Candidate Pack attached to the advert.
Capability Definition: Effectively co-ordinates the Environment Agency’s response to planning consultations to protect & enhance the environment.
Question: Provide an example from your current or previous roles where you applied your knowledge of the UK Town and Country Planning system to achieve a positive environmental outcome, describing how you managed conflicting environmental and economic priorities to successfully reach your goal.
Competence 2
Achieves Results
Description
Capability Definition: 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: Within the context of the UK Town and Country Planning system, how do you prioritise and manage your workload when handling multiple complex and time-sensitive planning matters? Provide a specific example where you had to balance competing environmental, economic, or regulatory priorities, manage stakeholder expectations, and still deliver a high-quality outcome.
Competence 3
Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Capability Definition: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
Question: In your experience working within the UK Town and Country Planning system, how have you led or supported teams to use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or other performance measures to monitor and improve the delivery of planning outcomes? Provide an example where you motivated or guided others to meet or exceed specific performance targets while managing complex planning issues and explain how you ensured quality and compliance throughout the process.
Competence 4
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Description
Capability Definition: Develops and maintains effective working relationships.
Question: Provide an example of a time when you built and maintained effective working relationships with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders (such as developers, local communities, or Local Planning Authorities). How did you communicate effectively with different parties, manage any conflicting priorities or viewpoints, and what was the outcome of your approach?
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.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
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* Job function
Information Technology
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