DIO Graduate Town and Country Planner

Defence Infrastructure Organisation; Lichfield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is looking for a Graduate Planner to support the development of Town Planning strategies. The role includes responsibilities in stakeholder engagement and planning appraisals. Ideal candidates should possess a basic understanding of planning and aim to achieve a RTPI accredited degree by September 2026. The position offers a hybrid working model and opportunities for future career advancement within the Civil Service.

Qualifications

• A basic understanding of how the Town Planning system operates.
• Familiarity with local planning issues and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of Town Planning matters.
• Participate in community and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Understanding of planning legislation

Stakeholder engagement

Interpersonal skills

Analytical approach

Education

RTPI Planning Fully Accredited degree at 2.2 level or above

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Graduate Planner Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and delivery of a consistent approach to Town Planning matters across the defence.
• Support advice on best practice, knowledge and understanding of planning legislation both within the UK and overseas.
• Support the provision of strategic advice and technical inputs to major projects and programmes, including site disposals, operational development, and land use planning strategies.
• Undertake planning appraisals to support Estates planning strategies.
• Advise MOD on the potential planning impacts of external third‑party proposals.
• Support community and stakeholder engagement, including liaison with local authorities, consultants and statutory agencies.
• Participate in the wider teams development of town planning policy and approaches, plus support liaison over changes being brought forward with other stakeholders.
• Keep up to date with relevant planning legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Participate in DIOs Graduate Development Programme and work towards membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Graduate Planner Qualifications

• Essential Experience – A basic understanding of planning and knowledge of:
  • How the Town Planning system operates and how it is changing in at least one of the 4 UK nations.
  • Planning issues for example in your region and how authorities are seeking to plan for them.
  • How authorities seek to engage with stakeholders and the public over planning policies and development proposals.
  • How sites are appraised from the town planning perspective.
  • Consulting engaging and influencing a wide stakeholder group.
• Essential Qualification – Achieve by 1 September 2026 a RTPI Planning Fully Accredited degree at 2.2 level or above in Planning. Provide evidence of achieved grade by the deadline if applying with predicted grades.
• Desirable – Licence Driver’s licence; Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office; Work experience, internship or placement in a planning‑related environment; Good interpersonal skills; An analytical and focused approach to work; A real interest in the job and willingness to learn; Demonstrates initiative.

Employment Details

The successful graduates will be expected to start in September 2026. At the conclusion of the graduate scheme, you will participate in a progression panel designed to review your development, experience and technical capability. Subject to successful assessment, you will progress to the Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade, marking a key milestone in your Civil Service career and positioning you for long‑term success.

Location – The role can be based at any of the stated locations: Andover, Lichfield and Catterick. Regular travel to sites within the region and occasionally across the UK is required.

Hybrid working arrangement – Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home. All office‑based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office.

Salary and benefits – A starting salary above the minimum for the grade may be available to the successful candidate depending on specialist skills and sector knowledge. The post does not offer relocation expenses.

Security – Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

Nationality requirements – The job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service