Sustainable Places Officer

Job Description

Are you passionate about contributing to a sustainable environment? This is your chance to make a meaningful impact. We’re seeking a motivated, confident and enthusiastic person to join a team that engages with a range of customers to promote sustainable growth, securing the best possible environmental outcomes.

• Act as the main point of contact with designated local planning authorities, developers and other bodies.
• Provide planning application advice.
• Deliver pre‑application and strategic advice, including cost recovery, liaising with customers, issuing quotes and reports.
• Advise on Local Development Plans, providing evidence, policy and site allocation support.
• Co‑ordinate formal responses with internal teams (flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, environmental management) within negotiated timescales, ensuring quality outcomes.
• Advocate for climate resilience and influence policies and proposals that shape the future of towns and cities.
• Meet strict deadlines and targets under challenging work pressures.

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

• Good understanding of our broad 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 relevant planning experience such as working in an EA Sustainable Places or consultee team, for a developer, local planning authority or another statutory consultee (e.g. NE, MMO, Historic England, Highways).

This role is based in the Yorkshire Area (Leeds, York, Rotherham or Beverley) and is hybrid, combining home and office working based on business needs.

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, and are committed to guaranteeing an interview to any applicant with a disability who meets the minimum criteria for the post.