Environment Agency
Sustainable Places Officer - 33058
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Sustainable Places Officer - 33058
Job Description: Planning Advisor – Yorkshire Area Sustainable Places Team
About the Role
Are you passionate about contributing to a sustainable environment? This is your chance to make a meaningful impact.
We are seeking a motivated, confident, and enthusiastic person to join a team that engages with a range of customers—promoting sustainable growth and securing the best possible environmental outcomes.
You will be one of the Environment Agency’s (EA) main points of contact with local planning authorities, developers, and other statutory bodies, assisting in:
- Providing planning application advice
- Delivering pre-application and strategic advice (including cost recovery, quotation, and report writing)
- Offering Local Development Plan advice, including evidence, policy development, and site allocations
You will proactively engage with local authorities, developers, and environmental stakeholders, collaborating with cross-departmental colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, and environmental management to:
- Deliver expert advice
- Coordinate formal responses within negotiated timescales
- Ensure high-quality outcomes
- Advocate for climate resilience
- Influence policies and proposals to shape the future of towns and cities
This role requires managing strict deadlines, meeting targets, and excelling under challenging pressures. You will develop strong relationships, refine communication and customer service skills, and deepen your understanding of:
- Government’s growth agenda
- Planning systems
- Development industry operations
- Environment Agency objectives
This opportunity offers growth in project management, financial oversight, leadership, and innovation. Incident response may also attract additional payments, with full training provided.
The Yorkshire Area Sustainable Places team is a collaborative and supportive unit delivering EA2030 goals by:
- Evaluating environmental data, evidence, and assessments across departments
- Producing consolidated planning responses on behalf of the Environment Agency
- Advising councils and developers to ensure that development supports:
- Environmental protection
- Infrastructure enhancement
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Experience & Skills Required
Essential
- A willingness to learn and passion for environmental processes and planning
- Excellent interpersonal skills—ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Strong team ethic with the flexibility to work independently
- Proven problem-solving ability and track record of achieving results
- Exceptional time management and organisational skills, with strong prioritisation
- Exceptional customer service and communication skills (verbal AND written)
- Proficient IT competency
Desirable
- Clear understanding of the Environment Agency’s broad business and environmental activities
- Relevant degree in:
- Town and Country Planning
- Geography, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geoscience, Ecology, or Biology
- OR significant relevant experience in:
- EA Sustainable Places or consultancy teams
- Roles in developers, local planning authorities, or statutory consultees (e.g., NE, MMO, Historic England, Highways).
Contact & Additional Information
- Base location: Hybrid role, based in Yorkshire Area offices (Leeds, York, Rotherham, or Beverley).
- Flexible working: Combination of home and office work, depending on business needs.
- Application process:
- Blind assessment using competency-based questions.
- Interviews: Scheduled via Microsoft Teams, starting 3 August 2026.
- Reserve list: If consents, details kept for 6 months and may be used for alternative posts.
Competency Questions to Address
1. Achieves Results Task: Describe an instance where you:
- Set and met high work standards
- Prioritised tasks and resources to achieve timely results
- Related context: Aiming for environmental gains through the planning system.
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2. Communicates Effectively Task: Explain how you:
- Adapted your communication style to specific audience/situation needs.
- Related context: Ensuring customers receive clear and persuasive advice.
3. Influences & Persuades Others Task: Share an example where you:
- Convincingly argued your viewpoint, winning support where logic alone would not suffice.
- Related context: Guiding planning decisions through persuasion and evidence.
4. Manages Self Task: Detail how you:
- Managed high demand during your most challenging time—with examples from studies/work.
- Related context: Enabling flexibility to adapt workloads during busy periods.
Important Notes for Civil Service & Non-CS Applicants:
- The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service, so no “Crown Servant” status applies.
- Local government or listed statutory body workers may retain eligibility for future redundancy—check eligibility if uncertain.
- Well-being and constructive feedback are prioritised throughout applications.
Diversity & Inclusion Policy
We commit to:
- A diverse and inclusive workforce
- Flexible working options (e.g., job-sharing)
- Guaranteed interview policy for applicants with disabilities meeting basic criteria.
Anti-Plagiarism Notice
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance allowed BUT:
- Examples must be truthful, unique to your experience, not AI-generated or falsified.
- Violations lead to application withdrawal or disciplinary action for existing staff.
For more guidance on appropriate AI use, consult Civil Service Careers policies.
For Support Suppliers: Should you wish to be recognised as a provider on the Crown Commercial Service frameworks, visit: How to Become a Supplier.
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