The Team
The Planning and Infrastructure Team forms part of the Land for Nature Team, in the Strategy Directorate of Natural England.
The Team works across the terrestrial and marine environment to:
Advise Government on national policy issues, contributing to the development of planning policy, guidance and process changes and responding to national consultations.
Provide strategic technical advice and leadership to our programme and operations teams and develop new approaches to planning and infrastructure work.
Develop and maintain relationships with key national partners including Government, other regulators and agencies, NGOs and the commercial sector.
This presents a unique opportunity to influence government policy to secure greater outcomes for the natural environment, whilst also playing a key role in both supporting and shaping Natural England's Planning and Infrastructure work.
Job Description
We are looking for up to 3 Senior Officers to join our team to lead our strategic work on major infrastructure.
In this role you will play a key role in shaping Natural England's response at a critical time with fundamental changes proposed to the planning, infrastructure planning and environmental assessment regimes. You will work alongside our Infrastructure Principal Officers and the wider Planning and Infrastructure Team to provide the leadership and technical focus to drive forward Natural England's ambitions for the natural environment. This will be delivered through our policy advice and by helping to shape the way in which we deliver our statutory advice on major infrastructure work.
A key element of these roles will be interacting with key regulators, delivery bodies, industry bodies and partner organisations within the major infrastructure sector. You will work proactively to build an understanding of the aims, objectives and challenges of industry and partners and provide strategic support to decision-makers dealing with complex or novel impacts.
Collaborative work both internally and externally will be required to identify and maximise opportunities to improve our evidence base and knowledge, identifying consenting challenges and driving forwards solutions to those which help further the ambitions of the government's Environmental Improvement Plan.
Internally, you will provide national leadership and technical advice for your core topic area to ensure consistency of advice both within and across sectors, through the development and provision of training, guidance and leading technical networks.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
Act as sector lead for a key infrastructure sector(s). For example:
Provide and co-ordinate technical advice to Defra, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Department for Transport (DfT) and other government departments to support NE's response to emerging infrastructure planning policy and guidance including responses to national consultations.
Build effective relationships with Defra, DESNZ, MHCLG, DfT and other Government Department colleagues alongside key infrastructure delivery bodies, developers and industry groups. Act as relationship manager as required.
Provide technical infrastructure planning advice to operations teams on casework and environmental assessment processes, particularly around novel/precedent setting issues or where strategic approaches are required.
Lead/contribute to technical guidance, standing advice, briefings and, training on infrastructure and planning. Work with industry and regulators to develop best practice guidance and approaches where possible.
Horizon scan, understand future development proposals and policy changes relevant to the sector, identify opportunities and share this intelligence with delivery teams to able them to anticipate future workloads.
Progress opportunities to increase the evidence base around environmental impacts associated with the sector(s), with a focus on addressing key evidence gaps, working collaboratively and with partners.
It should be noted that we are working in evolving policy environment with novel technologies and new industry sectors emerging. The successful candidate(s) will therefore need to be willing to adapt in response to changing demands on the team.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
A working knowledge of environmental assessment processes (HRA, EIA, SEA) and their application in development planning and development management casework (Essential).
Working knowledge of infrastructure consenting and addressing the environmental impacts of infrastructure development, specifically within the context of protected sites, landscapes and species (Essential).
Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver the organisation's strategy, vision, mission and aims (Essential).
Demonstrate personal effectiveness by using initiative, being well organised and identifying ways to improve and develop work programmes (Essential).
Being able to identify work priorities in a fast-paced team and show clear communication on the actions you take (Essential).
Benefits
At Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements.
We provide excellent opportunities for career progression, training, and development tailored to your role. This includes ten days annually for personal learning and development, plus three additional days for volunteering.
You'll receive a generous leave allowance of 33 days per year (pro rata), access to the Civil Service Pension scheme with a 28.97% employer contribution, and a range of benefits such as shopping discounts and a cycle-to-work scheme. Staff can also join the Civil Service Sport club for discounts on sports, leisure activities, and social events.
We are committed to fairness, equality, and inclusivity. Our employee-led diversity networks help foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Locations
Natural England has adopted hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England, and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Staff are expected to attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours.
Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work-related travel is required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area.
View a map of our office locations here: online map of Natural England office locations.
Competencies
Technical Skills and Knowledge
Description
A relevant degree and/or extensive experience in a related field (Essential).
Technical expertise and applied experience of the planning system, legislation, national policy and guidance the Town and Country Planning System, and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (Essential).
Technical expertise and experience of the application of environmental assessment processes to planning casework (HRA, EIA, SEA) (Essential).
Experience of working with key national external partners and stakeholders that have been directly engaged with the infrastructure/planning system systems (Desirable).
Understanding of the legislative/policy/strategic context of infrastructure and planning work e.g., 25 Year Environment Plan, Environment Act, National Policy Statements, National Planning Policy Framework, Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (Desirable).
Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
Description
Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and the organisation (Practitioner).
Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver the organisation's vision, mission and aims (Practitioner).
Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas
Identify and apply relevant planning and environmental legislation, policies and processes to deliver effective and proportionate evidence-based solutions and advice (Practitioner).
Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Practitioner).
Personal Effectiveness
Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience (Practitioner).
Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence (Expert).
Share expertise and knowledge with people and networks so that you can develop together (Practitioner).
Pay
Natural England are yet to finalise the details of the 2025 Pay Review. This will be backdated to July 2025, and this could involve a review of our current terms and conditions alongside increases to the advertised pay ranges. If there are any changes to what has been advertised the vacancy manager will be able to provide further details ahead of any offers being accepted.
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.