Location
York, Central London

Hours
Full-Time, Permanent

Salary
£34,320 per year

About the Role
Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to make a meaningful impact. We’re seeking a motivated, confident and enthusiastic person to join a team that engages with a range of customers to promote sustainable growth and secure the best possible environmental outcomes.

You will be one of the Environment Agency’s main points of contact with a designated group of local planning authorities, developers and other bodies, mainly engaged in planning application advice, pre-application and strategic advice including recovery of costs, liaising with customers, issuing quotes and reports, and local development plan advice covering evidence, policy and site allocations.

You will proactively engage with local authorities and developers, working closely with colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, and environmental management to deliver expert advice and manage and coordinate formal responses within negotiated timescales, ensuring appropriate quality outcomes. You will advocate for climate resilience and influence policies and proposals, shaping decisions that impact the future of our towns and cities. Meeting strict deadlines and targets under challenging work pressures is essential.

The role offers an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of planning systems while developing valuable skills in project management, financial oversight, leadership, and innovation. Incident response training is provided and expected as part of the role, which could attract additional payments.

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. Flexible working patterns may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Team Information
The Sustainable Places team is friendly and supportive, working across departments to deliver EA2030 goals. We collaborate closely with internal technical teams to evaluate environmental data, evidence and assessments, producing consolidated planning responses on behalf of the Environment Agency. Externally, we advise councils and developers to ensure development happens in the right way with the right environmental infrastructure to protect and enhance the environment.

What We Offer You
- A salary up to £34,320
- Generous pension scheme
- 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays with options for flexible working
- Career growth through structured development, mentorship, and continuous learning
- Opportunity to make a real difference protecting and enhancing the environment
- Inclusive and supportive team culture valuing diversity and collaboration
- Paid environmental outcomes days and comprehensive leave schemes including maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Why Choose the Environment Agency?
Join the UK's largest environmental organisation and be part of a team tackling national challenges head-on. We invest in our people with tailored training, equipment, and a collaborative community where your contributions truly matter. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to reflecting the communities we serve.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.

Experience
- Degree in Town and Country Planning or a relevant discipline such as Geography, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geoscience, Ecology, or Biology, OR significant relevant planning experience (e.g. working in an Environment Agency Sustainable Places or consultee team, for a developer, local planning authority, or another statutory consultee such as Natural England, MMO, Historic England, or Highways).
- Proven ability to achieve results and proactively identify and solve problems.
- Experience engaging successfully with a range of audiences.
- Strong customer service, communication and relationship-building skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent IT skills.

About You
- Enthusiastic and willing to learn with a passion for the environment and planning processes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong team ethic and ability to work independently.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively.
- Ability to develop strong relationships and work under pressure to meet strict deadlines and targets.

Qualifications
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience as described above.

Desirable
- Good understanding of the Environment Agency’s broad business and environmental activities.