Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£30,850 per annum

About the Role
Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains now and for the future? Do you enjoy working in a team and advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the natural environment? If so, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and contribute to creating a better future for people and nature.

Natural England is the Government’s adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. This ambitious vision brings new opportunities to protect and enhance the environment and achieve real outcomes.

The priority work includes establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive, monitoring environmental changes to reduce climate change effects, working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods, advising on new developments to maximise gains for nature, and providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.

This Operational Higher Officer role focuses on delivering and supporting Natural England’s statutory and discretionary advice on priority energy Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) with combined marine and terrestrial elements. The role holder will have a strong understanding of marine planning, licensing, consenting, and Natural England’s role in the NSIP process, with experience working on marine NSIPs.

Key responsibilities include working closely with the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) to develop and deliver advice on priority energy NSIPs with a marine component such as offshore wind, supporting NE Areas and Seas Teams in preparing for examinations and enabling attendance at hearings, reviewing and advising on Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments, providing statutory advice within specified timeframes, responding to post-consent consultations, and offering chargeable advice through Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service to maximise early engagement opportunities.

The role also involves identifying and escalating risks, supporting collaborative working between terrestrial and marine colleagues, participating in internal technical networks, showing leadership, sharing best practice, and promoting skills development across the wider team.

Experience
Proven experience working on marine Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and a strong understanding of marine planning, licensing, consenting, and Natural England’s role in the NSIP process.

Experience in reviewing Environmental Impact Assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments, and providing statutory and discretionary advice within required timeframes.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within teams and with external stakeholders including developers and competent authorities.

About you
Passionate about nature and the environment with a commitment to securing environmental improvements.

Strong team player with excellent communication and advisory skills.

Capable of managing multiple priorities, identifying risks, and escalating issues appropriately.

Proactive in sharing knowledge, leading best practice, and supporting continuous improvement and skills development.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or professional experience related to marine environmental management, planning, or a related discipline are desirable but not explicitly stated.