Associate Environmental Advisor

Job summary

Join the Planning Inspectorate’s Environmental Services Team and be part of work that brings together planning, environmental considerations and public service.

You’ll be supported to grow your knowledge, develop your technical and interpersonal skills and learn from experienced colleagues. You’ll be part of a collaborative environment where different perspectives are valued, knowledge is shared and there is scope to develop as your experience grows.

If you’re curious, motivated to learn and looking for an opportunity to build your environmental career while contributing to meaningful work, this could be the role for you.

Be part of the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP)

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession - the largest profession in the Civil Service, with over 300,000 members. ODP professionals are the public face of government, delivering essential services to millions of people every day. As a member of this profession, you'll have access to a wide range of development opportunities, a supportive community, and a clear framework to grow your career.

To learn more about the Operational Delivery Profession, visit ODP 101 to learn all there is to know.

Job description

As part of the Environmental Services Team, you’ll contribute to environmental casework across planning appeals, applications and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. You’ll review and assess environmental information, supporting work relating to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), with training and support available as you develop your knowledge and experience.

You’ll contribute to EIA screening and scoping work, Environmental Statement reviews and the assessment of consultation responses. You’ll also use Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to help identify relevant consultees and support effective consultation.

Working with colleagues across the Planning Inspectorate and with external stakeholders will be an important part of the role. You’ll respond to case-related queries, build constructive working relationships and share knowledge and ideas with colleagues to support the wider team.

You’ll also take responsibility for maintaining accurate casework information, managing information appropriately and contributing to improvements in how the team works. Alongside this, you’ll be encouraged to take ownership of your professional development, using feedback and learning opportunities to continue building your skills and environmental knowledge.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is being advertised at EO Grade which has a salary of £32,154.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station still just a 10 minute walk away.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

• Good analytical skills, including critically reviewing information, undertaking research and responding to queries on environmental matters and casework.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, with confidence communicating effectively and building constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Good interpersonal and collaborative skills, including working effectively with colleagues and providing support where needed.

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,154, Planning Inspectorate contributes £9,315 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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. Please see our cand