Sustainable Places Officer

Overview

The Environment Agency is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic professional to join the Yorkshire Area Sustainable Places team. This role involves engaging with local planning authorities, developers and other stakeholders to promote sustainable growth and secure the best environmental outcomes.

• Provide planning application advice and strategic support, including cost recovery, quotations, and reporting.
• Advise on Local Development Plan evidence, policy, and site allocations.
• Work closely with colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity and environmental management to deliver expert advice.
• Manage and coordinate formal responses within negotiated timescales, ensuring quality outcomes.
• Advocate for climate resilience, influence policies and proposals, and shape decisions affecting towns and cities.

• Willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the environment and planning processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with diverse audiences.
• Strong team ethic with the capability to work independently.
• Proven ability to achieve results and solve problems proactively.
• Excellent time‑management, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Strong customer‑service, communication and relationship‑building skills – written and verbal.
• Excellent IT skills.

• Broad understanding of the Environment Agency’s business and environmental activities.
• A degree in Town and Country Planning or a relevant discipline (e.g., Geography, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geoscience, Ecology, Biology) or significant planning experience with an EA Sustainable Places or consultee team, a developer, a local planning authority or another statutory consultee (e.g., NE, MMO, Historic England, Highways).

The role is based in the Yorkshire Area and operates from a hybrid model, combining home and office working based on business needs. Possible base locations include Leeds, York, Rotherham, and Beverley.

The Environment Agency is fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working arrangements for all our vacancies, including job share. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with a disability. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and are an equal opportunity employer.