Planning Specialist – Sustainable Places

Planning Specialist – Sustainable Places

£43,198 + £4,406 pa Inner London Weighting Allowance where applicable

Do you want to work for an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion? Then the Environment Agency could be the place for you. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer, promoting equality of opportunity, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued. We welcome flexible working arrangements across all our vacancies.

Are you looking for a career where you can make a real difference, by joining a team that is passionate about tackling the climate and nature emergencies through our strategic goals for:

• Green growth and a sustainable future.
• Healthy air, land and water.
• A nation resilient to climate change.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Sustainable Places Team. As a Planning Officer, you will play a vital role in managing the Environment Agency’s interaction with the Town & Country Planning process, supporting the team to manage planning consultations from Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and developers across the Area.

• Coordinating and screening planning applications and enquiries received from LPAs and developers and logging this caseload onto our dedicated system.
• Responding to pre-development enquiries, low risk consultations, and administering our chargeable advice service.
• Providing a positive planning service to our customers.
• Building effective relationships with our internal consultees.

• You will have a degree in Town and Country Planning or in a relevant discipline (for example, but not limited to: Geography, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geoscience, Ecology, Biology).
• You will have significant relevant experience in a planning related role for example but not limited to working with the Environment Agency as a Planning Advisor or Planning Specialist or in a consultee team, or working for a developer, local planning authority, or other statutory consultee, for example: NE, MMO, Heritage England, Highways England.
• Ability to deal with and advise on development issues and / or on complex environmental problems.
• Working with and influencing organisations and individuals to deliver environmental benefits.
• Problem solving with the ability to work on complex issues and opportunities.
• Confidence in communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
• Ability to provide pre-application and strategic advice, including the associated recovery of costs for this work.
• Team-working skills and experience in working flexibly responding to changing demands in a high workload, high pressure environment.

• Experience managing client-based projects and budgets.
• Reviewing and improving processes and procedures.
• Coaching and mentoring experience.
• Membership or demonstrable progress towards membership of a relevant professional body.

The Sustainable Places team is a friendly, collaborative group working across departments to shape local plan strategies and planning applications. We partner internally and externally - with councils, developers, water companies, and Defra to provide expert environmental advice.

• A salary up to £43,198 + £4,406 pa Inner London Weighting Allowance where applicable.
• Generous Pension:
  Secure your future with our excellent pension scheme.
• Work-Life Balance:
  Enjoy 27 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, with options for flexible working.
• Career Growth & Comprehensive Training:
  Benefit from structured development, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• Impactful Work:
  Directly contribute to protecting and enhancing the environment, making a real difference.
• Inclusive Culture:
  Join a supportive team that values diversity and collaboration.
• Extra Perks:
  Paid environmental outcomes days, and comprehensive leave schemes (maternity, paternity, adoption).
• Options for flexible and / or part-time working may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Join the UK's largest…