Environment Agency
Sustainable Places Team Leader - 35920
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Description
Are you passionate about making a difference to people and the environment, leading others to deliver our contributions to EA2025? We are looking for an individual with drive and vision to provide leadership to our Thames Area Sustainable Places (SP) team.
This Team Leader position, within the Environment Planning and Engagement department (EPE), directly line manages the Sustainable Places Team, but also works closely alongside our EPE Leadership Team, Area and national colleagues, and Local Planning Partners, providing exposure to a diverse and exciting range of opportunities.
The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of the planning system and goals around sustainable growth. They will be enthusiastic about developing both themselves and others, and in creating an open, inclusive, kind and trusting culture which supports people to perform at their best.
Alongside this, responding to incidents is a central part of what we do at the Environment Agency. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.
Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
This role is a full-time role however considerations will be given to reasonable part-time/flexible working requests in line with policy and business needs.
Important – If you consent to being held on a reserve list having passed the assessment during this recruitment round, we’ll hold your details for 6 months. We may look to utilise the reserve list for future expected recruitment rounds for similar roles.
The team
The Thames Sustainable Places team lead our Environment Agency’s local input into development, growth and planning matters.
Seeking to secure environmental outcomes by working closely with internal colleagues, local councils, numerous developers, and partners.
This role provides direction and leadership to the team, forming an integral part of our Thames EPE Leadership Team (Thames area and covering parts of Gloucestershire/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire/Oxfordshire/Surrey). You will work closely with colleagues across the business to share and incorporate best practice.
Experience/skills Required
We are looking for applicants who believe that providing great leadership is fundamental to our ability to protect people and the environment. Someone who can encourage, coach and steer a diverse, high performing team to deliver a professional service, aiming to safeguard the environment from unsustainable development.
We would welcome applications from those who enjoy the challenge of leading a busy team with tight deadlines, who can simultaneously demonstrate excellent relationship building and communication skills.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The successful candidate will be expected to represent the Environment Agency with customers, partners and stakeholders in matters relating to our role within the UK planning system, and confidence in this subject matter will be crucial to this.
Contact and additional information
This position is based in our Thames Area, with Wallingford, Red Kite House as a base location.
You will be expected to attend the office regularly, with some travel required to other offices and locations, and occasional overnight stays also possible.
Please read the Candidate Information Pack carefully, and to discuss any specific aspects of the role contact Emma Hill: 07748933558 or emma.hill@environment-agency.gov.uk
Or Southeastresourcing@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
The interviews for this role are expected to be held in September and likely to take place via MS teams.
Competence 1
Leads People
Description
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Feedback is generally not available at sift stage
With the fast paced, high-priority work of this team, we are looking for a candidate who can build a positive team spirit and identity by creating a shared vision, positive culture of co-operation and mutual support, and who will encourage excellence, celebrate success, and defend actions where needed. This individual will provide leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.
QUESTION:
Please describe, with relevant evidence, how you will meet these needs.
Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
Description
A large part of this role will require strong communication skills. From active listening and questioning to identify the root of problems, to understanding and engaging to explore solutions or reaffirm positions. The successful candidate will be able to assimilate, establish and convey information and ideas clearly, accurately, and persuasively.
QUESTION:
Please describe, with relevant evidence, how you will meet these needs.
Competence 3
Manages the Business
Description
The SP teams customer base spans externally, and internally across multiple teams and as such can often face the prospect of competing priorities. Couple this with the backdrop of increasing public expectation, scrutiny and focus on housing growth, our own finite funding, and resource to deliver, and we can soon see challenges in balancing the needs of the team, the business and our customers emerging.
QUESTION:
Please describe, with relevant evidence, how you will meet these needs
Competence 4
Diversity
Description
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
There is clear evidence of the wealth of benefits that diversity brings to both our home and work lives. This role is no different, requiring interaction and collaboration across a wide-ranging audience, and an appreciation of the benefits that each one brings. It’s important that the successful candidate can work with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, ensuring that work is managed so that everyone is able to deliver their best.
QUESTION:
Please describe, with relevant evidence, how you will meet these needs
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 guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills