Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

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? Are you motivated by working collaboratively in a team and advising communities and customers to maximise benefits for the natural environment? If so, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and help create 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.

A core part of this role involves using cost recovery mechanisms to generate income through contracts with applicants via the Discretionary Advice Service, NSIP statutory charging, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This Operational Higher Officer position focuses on delivering and supporting Natural England’s statutory and discretionary advice on priority energy Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) that have combined marine and terrestrial elements.

The successful candidate 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. You will support NE Areas and Seas Teams in preparing for forthcoming examinations and enable attendance at hearings.

Key responsibilities include:
- Working closely with the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) to develop and deliver NE advice on priority energy NSIPs with a marine component, including offshore wind projects
- Reviewing and advising on Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments, ensuring environmental impacts are fully addressed to achieve the best outcomes for nature
- Providing statutory advice to competent authorities within specified timeframes and responding to post-consent consultations on discharge of Development Consent Order (DCO) and Marine licence conditions
- Advising developers on survey and monitoring plans and reports through Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service
- Delivering chargeable advice to maximise early engagement opportunities for better environmental outcomes
- Identifying and escalating risks associated with work delivery
- Supporting collaborative working between terrestrial and marine colleagues, sharing learning and promoting continuous improvement
- Participating in internal technical networks to provide leadership, share best practice, and support strategic approaches and skills development across the wider team

Experience
Proven experience working on marine Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) with a strong understanding of marine planning, licensing, and consenting processes. Experience in reviewing Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments is essential. Demonstrated ability to provide statutory and discretionary advice within required timeframes and to engage effectively with developers and competent authorities.

About you
Passionate about nature and environmental protection with a commitment to delivering real environmental gains. Strong team player with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Able to work collaboratively across terrestrial and marine teams and support continuous improvement. Proactive in identifying risks and escalating appropriately. Leadership qualities with the ability to share best practice and support skills development within the team.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or professional experience in environmental science, marine biology, ecology, or a related discipline are desirable but not explicitly stated. A commitment to ongoing professional development and technical expertise in marine energy NSIPs is expected.