32616 - Sustainable Places Planning Specialist

Environment Agency; Exeter; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a motivated Town Planner to join their Sustainable Places Team. The successful candidate will provide technical planning expertise, project manage high-profile developments, and influence local plans. Ideal candidates should possess a relevant degree, strong communication skills, and the ability to make sound decisions. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and contributes to positive environmental outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in the Town & Country Planning system.
• Desirable membership of a relevant professional body.
• Ability to synthesize information and identify key facts.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical planning expertise and guidance to the team.
• Project manage input into high-profile developments.
• Influence the preparation and review of Local Plans.

Skills

Excellent communication

Networking skills

Decision-making

Negotiation skills

Programme management

Education

Degree in relevant discipline

Job description

We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

We are looking for a motivated and experienced Town Planner to provide additional technical leadership to our Sustainable Places Team. You will work as part of a team that engages with, and influences, local planning authorities, planning decision-makers and developers to secure the best possible outcomes for people and the environment through growth.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide technical planning expertise and guidance to the team and internal colleagues.
• Project manage our input into high‑profile developments.
• Influence the preparation and review of Local Plans including relevant policies, evidence base, and infrastructure delivery plans.
• Mentor team members on external planning policies, internal policies and procedures to ensure quality and consistency.
• Work as an integrated part of the team.
• Represent the Environment Agency as an expert‑witness at appeals and inquiries.
• Develop professional relationships with stakeholders and customers, internally and externally, to influence environmental outcomes.
• Keep up to date on legislation/case law/best practice.
• Contribute to the internal Planning Specialist network and Spatial Planning Mentoring Hub.

The team

The Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Sustainable Places team lead the Environment Agency’s statutory and chargeable planning advice on development and growth in our Area. We are a positive, knowledgeable and supportive team that takes pride in securing environmental outcomes by working closely with internal colleagues, 14 Local Planning Authorities, developers, strategic partners and Defra family.

Experience/skills required

• Qualified to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and have experience of working in the Town & Country Planning system.
• Membership or demonstration of progression towards membership of a relevant professional body is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent communication and networking skills with the ability to collaborate with others.
• Ability to synthesise information from a wide range of sources, identify and present the key facts.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on competing or complex factors.
• Ability to confidently negotiate and influence others.
• Effective programme management.
• Ability to coach and mentor others.
• An interest to seek new innovative ways of working.

You will have opportunity to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career.