Sustainable Places Planning Specialist

Sustainable Places Planning Specialist - 32616

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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.

We are looking for a motivated and experienced Town Planner to provide additional technical leadership to our Sustainable Places Team.

You will work as part of a team that engages with, and influences, local planning authorities, planning decision-makers and developers to secure the best possible outcomes for people and the environment through growth.

• Provide technical planning expertise and guidance to the team and internal colleagues.
• Project manage our input into high-profile developments.
• Influence the preparation and review of Local Plans including relevant policies, evidence base, and infrastructure delivery plans.
• Mentor team members on external planning policies, internal policies and procedures to ensure quality and consistency.
• Work as an integrated part of the team.
• Represent the Environment Agency as an expert-witness at appeals and inquiries.
• Develop professional relationships with stakeholders and customers, internally and externally, to influence environmental outcomes.
• Keep up to date on legislation/case law/best practice.
• Contribute to the internal Planning Specialist network and Spatial Planning Mentoring Hub.

• You will be qualified to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and have experience of working in the Town & Country Planning system.
• Membership or demonstration of progression towards membership of a relevant professional body is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent communication and networking skills with the ability to collaborate with others.
• Ability to synthesise information from a wide range of sources, identify and present the key facts.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on competing or complex factors.
• Ability to confidently negotiate and influence others.
• Effective programme management.
• Ability to coach and mentor others.
• An interest to seek new innovative ways of working.

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find one that suits your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location at Bodmin or Exeter with flexible hybrid working. There will be travel within the Area. Occasional travel and overnights outside the Area may be required. Candidates must hold a full driving licence.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, please contact Emma Whereat, Sustainable Places Team Leader. emma.where

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held in person at our Bodmin or Exeter offices at the end of January 2026.

Full UK Driving Licence

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…