Details
Reference number
427252
Salary
£28,927 - £31,132
Part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
PINS - Operations - Infrastructure Decisions and Applications Service
Type of role
Environment and Sustainability
Operational Delivery
Planning
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
2
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Bristol, South West England, BS1 6PN
About the job
Job summary
The Environmental Services Team (EST) is a team striving for technical excellence, delivering high-quality environmental advice across all Planning Inspectorate casework areas. Our work spans planning regimes, from small scale appeals to nationally significant infrastructure casework, where our input is particularly important.
As a multidisciplinary team, we collaborate closely with internal colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure environmental considerations are integrated effectively and consistently into relevant planning and consenting processes.
Comprising a diverse group of environmental professionals across a broad range of technical disciplines, the team delivers high-quality guidance on Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, and other critical environmental matters across all PINS casework areas.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people's lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Job description
Your role will include a variety of task such as EIA screening, scoping, working with GIS, and reviewing documents which are submitted as part of casework appeals and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
During your time with us as an Associate Environmental Advisor, you will be working to deliver core work of the Environmental Services Team, from carrying out EIA screenings for TCPA appeals to using GIS to produce consultation lists. With support, you will undertake review work of documents submitted for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
You'll build effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders and will work as part of a team supporting each other and sharing process improvements. You'll collate information submitted by the public and other stakeholders, and answer queries, prepare letters, and provide advice to applicants and other interested parties.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest
This role is being advertised at Executive Officer Grade.
Salary range for the Grade role is £28,927 - £31,132
Working hours:
Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.
Part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.
Number of positions available: 2
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview
Person specification
We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements listed:
Essential Criteria
* A good understanding of the TCPA (EIA) Regulations and the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations (2017)
* Analytical skills, including the ability to critically review documents and to research, understand and answer environmental queries.
* Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate confidently with external bodies and other stakeholders on EIA issues.
IT literate, including ability to use electronic databases and filing systems, management of databases, document processing
Desirable Criteria
* Graduate in an appropriate environmental or land use discipline (eg ecology, environmental science, environmental impact assessment, archaeology, landscape, planning, or engineering
* Experience of working in an environmental/planning team
* Knowledge of the Planning Act 2008
* Experience of EIA screening and scoping
* Experience of Habitats Regulations Assessments
* Knowledge of data bases, GIS and spatial mapping
Behaviours:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
* Making Effective Decisions
* Managing a Quality Service
Technical Skills:
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* A good understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act and Infrastructure Planning Act EIA Regulations (2017)
For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process, Civil Service Careers
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
* Making Effective Decisions
* Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* A good understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act and Infrastructure Planning Act EIA Regulations (2017)
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £28,927, Planning Inspectorate contributes £8,380 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
* A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
* 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King's birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
* Generous family friendly policies.
* Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills.
Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
* A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
* A Personal Statement (750 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert and connect your answers to the Success Profile elements we're looking for.
If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.
* A good understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act and Infrastructure Planning Act EIA Regulations (2017)
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
* Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
* Interviews will be a blend of essential criteria, behaviour, strength and technical questions
Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: w/c 29th September 2025
Interview Date: w/c 13th October 2025
Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.
The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
The Civil Service Careers site has published a new page for candidates, covering what they should consider before using AI in their applications or interviews. Please click on the link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Future Matches
Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.
Merit list order
We appoint in merit list order, starting with any permanent appointments followed by any fixed term appointments.
We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.
ID and Documents
If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments, Civil Service Careers.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Deb Glassop
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team ).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team ).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission.