The Oxford to Cambridge Team offers unique opportunities to test and trial innovative new approaches to enable green growth, investment, and environmental improvement. The Environmental Planning Specialist will focus on supporting the Strategic Environmental Planning Manager with the delivery of consistent approaches, strategic engagement, key projects, and capacity building.
Key tasks/ priority work areas will include:
• Engaging with internal teams to prepare consistent, aligned responses and ways of working
• Acting as technical lead to support ongoing ‘test and trial’ planning and growth projects
• Managing relationships with key external infrastructure and planning stakeholders
• Representing the team on external working groups e.g., strategic planning, green growth
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of planning policy and legislation on behalf of the team
• Sharing learning and building capacity back into the team and wider business
• Supporting wider communications, engagement, and relationships management activities
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
Our team works with colleagues from across the four operational areas within the Oxford-Cambridge geography, our national teams, Defra Group colleagues, and local stakeholders.
We share skills and learning, maximise opportunities to test and trial new approaches, and seek to influence the way that growth, our natural capital assets, and resources are planned for and protected for future generations. We actively support the realisation of 25 Year Environment Plan ambitions with our partners.
Experience/skills required
The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of the UK planning system, awareness of legislative and political drivers, and an appreciation of the benefits of early, strategic, engagement. We are looking for a proactive self-starter, with a flexible attitude. You will need to be organised and thrive in a fast-changing environment.
The successful candidates shall demonstrate:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communicating technical issues clearly and effectively to a range of audiences
• Knowledge of key environmental issues and the Environment Agency’s planning remit
• Knowledge of the UK planning system and relevant associated legislation
• Political awareness, particularly within the Oxford-Cambridge geography
• Organisational awareness of the wider Defra Group and it’s delivery bodies
• Experience of engaging with and influencing stakeholders with varied needs and ambitions
• The ability to work autonomously, prioritise workload and adapt to varied demands
• Project management experience (desirable)