Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£37,950 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? If you enjoy working in a team and advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the natural environment, 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, an ambitious vision to protect and enhance the environment and achieve real outcomes.

This vacancy is for Senior Officer roles within two Area Teams: Sussex & Kent and East Midlands. The role is a cost recoverable Operational Senior Officer position 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 successful candidate will have expertise in marine planning, licensing, consenting, and Natural England’s role in the NSIP process, with experience working on marine NSIPs. You will lead teams preparing for forthcoming NSIP examinations, attend hearings, and manage post-consent work. The role involves maintaining oversight of the coordination and delivery of Natural England’s advice on marine sustainable development NSIPs, including offshore wind projects, and delivering complex pieces of work directly.

As a Senior Officer, you will play a key leadership role, acting as a role model for Natural England’s ways of working, driving the changes needed to meet government green energy targets, and ensuring Natural England’s presence at key examinations and hearings.

Experience
Proven expertise in delivering major casework at local and seas levels, with a strong understanding of marine sustainable development NSIPs. Experience working with marine planning, licensing, consenting, and Natural England’s NSIP processes is essential. Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex projects, including preparation for examinations and hearings.

Experience in quality assuring marine sustainable development casework and engaging proactively with key partners and stakeholders to maintain effective communications and relationships.

About you
A motivated and collaborative team player with strong leadership skills. You will be committed to continuous improvement and capable of mentoring and coaching colleagues to develop capability and capacity within case teams. You are able to work effectively with terrestrial and marine colleagues, sharing learning and best practices. You have excellent communication skills and the ability to represent Natural England at key meetings and hearings.

You are passionate about nature and the environment and are driven to contribute to the delivery of government green energy targets and the 25 Year Environment Plan.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or professional experience in marine environmental management, planning, or related fields are desirable but not explicitly stated. Commitment to ongoing professional development and learning within the role is expected.