Job Description

Sustainable Places - Planning Advisor - 31571

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Sustainable Places - Planning Advisor - 31571

Number of jobs available
1
Region
London, South East
City/Town
West Malling
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA ORCHARD HOUSE, ME19 5SH
Grade
Staff Grade 4
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Environment & Sustainability, Operational Delivery, Planning
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Part Time Term Time, Compressed Hours
Salary Minimum
33,000
Closing Date:
07/09/2025, 23:55 hours


Job description attachment 1
Job Profile - 31571.pdf - 63KB Opens in a new window
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack - 31571.docx - 2041KB Opens in a new window


Converted File Candidate Pack - 31571.docx.pdf - 718KB Opens in a new window
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
Would you like to make a real difference?



Would you like to join a friendly and supportive team who help protect and enhance the environment and support sustainable growth?



We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please clearly include any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.



You'll work closely with technical teams and advise councils and developers to ensure development happens in the right way with the right environmental infrastructure to protect and enhance the environment.




Kent and South London area has a diverse environment with high levels of growth and a wide range of environmental opportunities. You will respond to enquiries, planning applications and local plans advising on ways to reduce flood risk, improve and restore rivers, manage waste, protect our groundwater from pollution and safeguard future supply, renew flood defences, and adapt to a changing climate.



You will need to use your enthusiasm, and knowledge of the environment to:



Develop and maintain effective partnerships with councils, developers, and consultants Influence planning decisions, pre application discussions and local plan policies Manage our advice on major projects and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) Identify and implement improvements and efficiencies to our ways of working Work strategically across river catchments to maximise environmental outcomes


Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support 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.
The team
The Sustainable Places team influence development across Kent and South London. We respond to pre applications, planning applications and influence local plans using evidence and a place-based approach. We lead on developing and maintaining positive ways of working with Local Planning Authorities focused on protecting and improving the environment. Responding to incidents is also a central part of what we do and you will be required to have an incident role.
Experience/skills required
You will be qualified to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and/ or have experience of working in the Planning / environmental sector.



You will have:



Ability to follow agreed processes and apply them to different situations to deliver results Interest in environmental issues and opportunities and how they fit into the planning process Ability to present information from a range of sources to a non-technical audience Experience of customer service including written communication and acting on customer feedback Problem solving skills and ability to work on complex issues /opportunities and in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to deliver shared goals. Team working skills and experience in managing and prioritising workloads to deliver team goals and influence decision making process Contact and additional information
We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and will support your ongoing career development. We encourage staff to gain / maintain relevant professional membership such as Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), The Chartered Institution of Water and Environment Management (CIWEM) and Chartered Geographer (CGeog).




The role is based at Orchard House, Addington, Kent. The role requires regular attendance at your base location and regular visits to work in partnership with customers such as site visits and workshops / training.




Interviews will be held at Orchard House, Addington, Kent in September.



If you would like to find out more please contact Jo Beck at jo.beck@environment-agency.gov.uk or Connor Bowman at connor.bowman@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answers given to the questions below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to the candidate pack for a link to our "EA capability dictionary" You may find it helpful to research the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response.



Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency in the question set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):



We work with a wide range of customers and need to deliver excellent customer service to help influence planning decisions to improve the environment.




Please provide an example of when you were proactive and provided excellent customer service.
Competence 2
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answers given to the questions below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to the candidate pack for a link to our "EA capability dictionary" You may find it helpful to research the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response.



Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency in the question set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):



To deliver our team goals requires excellent skills in influencing and persuading others.




Please provide an example of a time when you successfully negotiated, through influence and persuasion, a positive outcome. What was the outcome and how did you achieve it?
Competence 3
Achieves Results
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answers given to the questions below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to the candidate pack for a link to our "EA capability dictionary" You may find it helpful to research the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response.



Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency in the question set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):



To achieve results we review and implement new ways of working and learn from good practice and successes.




Please provide an example of when you have helped to improve a process or way of working to achieve results.
Competence 4
Managing the Environment Agency's Interaction in the Land Use Planning Process
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answers given to the questions below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to the candidate pack for a link to our "EA capability dictionary" You may find it helpful to research the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response.



Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency in the question set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):



One of our key goals is to support the Government in delivering sustainable economic growth while supporting nature's recovery.




What do you think are the key environmental issues and opportunities across Kent and South London and why do you want to help us to improve the environment?

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.