NE
Planning Casework Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6894 )
- Hiring from
- United Kingdom
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Posted
622,549 remote jobs, straight from company career pages
100% free · New jobs every minute
Show job descriptionHide job description
South West England
Job Summary
This position is based at Bridgwater or Bristol Temple Quay
Job Description
At Natural England, we’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. We are the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live. We also collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and customers to manage and conserve the Natural Environment.
Strategic Outcomes for Nature
Our strategy is framed through four strategic outcomes. Each of these outcomes reinforces and amplifies the others, and together they address environmental, social and economic actions critical to thriving nature.
Working for Natural England
At Natural England, we want everyone to thrive. We’re as committed to creating an inclusive culture as we are to protecting our environment. We build meaningful and supportive relationships between individuals, groups and organisations, where everyone feels valued and respected, and sees Natural England as a great place to work.
At Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements. You’ll have access to a wide range of benefits that enhance life inside and outside of work.
Job Summary
This position is based at Bridgwater or Bristol Temple Quay
Job Description
At Natural England, we’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. We are the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live. We also collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and customers to manage and conserve the Natural Environment.
Strategic Outcomes for Nature
Our strategy is framed through four strategic outcomes. Each of these outcomes reinforces and amplifies the others, and together they address environmental, social and economic actions critical to thriving nature.
- Recovering Nature
- Building Better Places
- Improving Health and Wellbeing
- Delivering Security through Nature
Working for Natural England
At Natural England, we want everyone to thrive. We’re as committed to creating an inclusive culture as we are to protecting our environment. We build meaningful and supportive relationships between individuals, groups and organisations, where everyone feels valued and respected, and sees Natural England as a great place to work.
At Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements. You’ll have access to a wide range of benefits that enhance life inside and outside of work.
- You’ll get 25 days (pro-rata) of annual leave, increasing by one day each year of service up to 30 days.
- You will benefit from flexible working practices that will help you to manage your own work/life balance, such as flexi-time and hybrid home/office working.
- We’re as passionate about people as we are about nature and want our people to grow within their careers and so every Natural England employee has 10 working days each year allocated for their personal development.
- We also encourage professional development through apprenticeships, self-directed learning or learning providers and encourage membership with relevant bodies to help with your future career.
- In addition, our staff have access to a wide range of employee discount schemes including retail reductions, a bicycle salary sacrifice and Health cash plans and insurance.
See more on pay, pensions and benefits at this link Working for Natural England.
Meet some of our employees, and read more about what it’s like to work at Natural England: Natural England: Life , LinkedIn
Our people enjoy rewarding careers and work to improve the lives of everyone who uses England’s green spaces. Everything’s better with nature. You included.
Locations
Natural England has adopted hybrid working and our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All staff are linked to one of our 25 offices across England and attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours. Staff who are based in the London office are eligible to receive the London Allowance of £3,500 per annum (pro-rata for part-time staff). Travel expenses are paid for all work-related travel, aside from commuting between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area. View a map of our office locations here: online map of Natural England office locations
Job Description
As a Planning Casework Higher Officer, you will work at the heart of the planning system, providing expert advice on complex planning applications and strategic development proposals. You will help ensure that growth delivers positive outcomes for nature, communities and future generations.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence decision-making at a local, regional and national level while working alongside planners, developers, local authorities, government bodies and environmental specialists. By engaging early with major developments, we work collaboratively to avoid negative impacts to the natural environment, provide appropriate mitigation and secure large scale environmental outcomes which benefit nature and people’s connection with nature.
You will be delivering the Government’ new Environmental Improvement Plan (Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK) by advising Local Planning Authorities on the environmental impacts of Local Plans and individual planning applications. You will also help to develop new approaches to manage pressures like recreational disturbance and water pollution.
You would be part of a friendly, supportive team with opportunities to develop your skills by getting involved in a wide range of cases, opportunities and initiatives. It is a rewarding role with fantastic opportunities to secure positive environmental outcomes on the ground and to further our Nature Recovery Network. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of high-profile cases that will lead to positive outcomes for the natural world.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
Meet some of our employees, and read more about what it’s like to work at Natural England: Natural England: Life , LinkedIn
Our people enjoy rewarding careers and work to improve the lives of everyone who uses England’s green spaces. Everything’s better with nature. You included.
Locations
Natural England has adopted hybrid working and our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All staff are linked to one of our 25 offices across England and attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours. Staff who are based in the London office are eligible to receive the London Allowance of £3,500 per annum (pro-rata for part-time staff). Travel expenses are paid for all work-related travel, aside from commuting between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area. View a map of our office locations here: online map of Natural England office locations
Job Description
As a Planning Casework Higher Officer, you will work at the heart of the planning system, providing expert advice on complex planning applications and strategic development proposals. You will help ensure that growth delivers positive outcomes for nature, communities and future generations.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence decision-making at a local, regional and national level while working alongside planners, developers, local authorities, government bodies and environmental specialists. By engaging early with major developments, we work collaboratively to avoid negative impacts to the natural environment, provide appropriate mitigation and secure large scale environmental outcomes which benefit nature and people’s connection with nature.
You will be delivering the Government’ new Environmental Improvement Plan (Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK) by advising Local Planning Authorities on the environmental impacts of Local Plans and individual planning applications. You will also help to develop new approaches to manage pressures like recreational disturbance and water pollution.
You would be part of a friendly, supportive team with opportunities to develop your skills by getting involved in a wide range of cases, opportunities and initiatives. It is a rewarding role with fantastic opportunities to secure positive environmental outcomes on the ground and to further our Nature Recovery Network. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of high-profile cases that will lead to positive outcomes for the natural world.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
- Provide high-quality statutory advice on planning applications, development plans and infrastructure projects (including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects)
- Assess potential impacts on protected landscapes, habitats and species, helping to secure better outcomes for nature.
- Work alongside colleagues to coordinate expertise from across Natural England to deliver robust, evidence-based and quality-assured advice.
- Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues to support nature recovery. Including providing chargeable services where it supports better environmental outcomes.
- Work to statutory targets and deadlines whilst also ensuring all actions are accurately recorded and auditable.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Experience of land-use planning and development management, with a sound understanding of how the planning system can deliver sustainable development and positive environmental outcomes.
Competence 1
Professional competency
Detail
Work Delivery
Description
Professional competency
Detail
Personal Effectiveness
Description
Professional competency
Detail
Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
Description
Professional competency
Detail
Technical (STAR Format not required)
Description
Experience of land-use planning and development management, with a sound understanding of how the planning system can deliver sustainable development and positive environmental outcomes.
- Strong knowledge of environmental legislation, policy and guidance, with the ability to interpret and apply these effectively to planning casework and strategic planning activities.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to provide clear, evidence-based advice and build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Well-developed organisational and prioritisation skills, able to manage a complex and varied workload, balancing competing demands while delivering high-quality outcomes to agreed timescales.
- A good understanding of ecology, nature recovery and environmental protection, including protected sites, priority habitats and species, and the role of planning in securing gains for nature.
Competence 1
Professional competency
Detail
Work Delivery
Description
- Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines
- Consider the financial implications of your work and seek income from our products and services
- Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures
Professional competency
Detail
Personal Effectiveness
Description
- Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence
- Act with integrity, addressing challenging issues and managing conflict through being open and objective
- Progress your personal development and take responsibility for keeping your knowledge and expertise current
Professional competency
Detail
Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
Description
- Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England
- Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aim
Professional competency
Detail
Technical (STAR Format not required)
Description
- Demonstrable expertise in the planning system, with experience of applying planning policy and processes to secure positive environmental outcomes for designated sites, protected landscapes and protected species (Essential).
- Strong understanding of planning mechanisms that support nature recovery, with practical experience of processes such as Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainability Appraisal and the Development Plan process. Able to interpret and apply emerging planning policies and frameworks to achieve enhanced outcomes for nature (Essential).
- Ability to identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Essential)
- Knowledge of local government processes and/or experience in ecology, environmental management or land management would be advantageous, providing additional context for advising on planning and nature recovery matters (Desirable).
At Natural England, we’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. We are the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live. We also collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and customers to manage and conserve the Natural Environment.
Strategic Outcomes for Nature
Our strategy is framed through four strategic outcomes. Each of these outcomes reinforces and amplifies the others, and together they address environmental, social and economic actions critical to thriving nature.
Working for Natural England
At Natural England, we want everyone to thrive. We’re as committed to creating an inclusive culture as we are to protecting our environment. We build meaningful and supportive relationships between individuals, groups and organisations, where everyone feels valued and respected, and sees Natural England as a great place to work.
At Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements. You’ll have access to a wide range of benefits that enhance life inside and outside of work.
Meet some of our employees, and read more about what it’s like to work at Natural England: Natural England: Life , LinkedIn
Our people enjoy rewarding careers and work to improve the lives of everyone who uses England’s green spaces. Everything’s better with nature. You included.
Locations
Natural England has adopted hybrid working and our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All staff are linked to one of our 25 offices across England and attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours. Staff who are based in the London office are eligible to receive the London Allowance of £3,500 per annum (pro-rata for part-time staff). Travel expenses are paid for all work-related travel, aside from commuting between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area. View a map of our office locations here: online map of Natural England office locations
Description
Qualifications
Please refer to Job Description
Relevant degree in subject matter
Alongside your salary of £33,780, Natural England contributes £9,786 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
Please Refer To Job Description
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
https://networkrecruitment.tal.net/vx/appcentre-7/brand-4/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/8/opp/6894-6894-Planning-Casework-Higher-Officer/en-GB
Strategic Outcomes for Nature
Our strategy is framed through four strategic outcomes. Each of these outcomes reinforces and amplifies the others, and together they address environmental, social and economic actions critical to thriving nature.
- Recovering Nature
- Building Better Places
- Improving Health and Wellbeing
- Delivering Security through Nature
Working for Natural England
At Natural England, we want everyone to thrive. We’re as committed to creating an inclusive culture as we are to protecting our environment. We build meaningful and supportive relationships between individuals, groups and organisations, where everyone feels valued and respected, and sees Natural England as a great place to work.
At Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements. You’ll have access to a wide range of benefits that enhance life inside and outside of work.
- You’ll get 25 days (pro-rata) of annual leave, increasing by one day each year of service up to 30 days.
- You will benefit from flexible working practices that will help you to manage your own work/life balance, such as flexi-time and hybrid home/office working.
- We’re as passionate about people as we are about nature and want our people to grow within their careers and so every Natural England employee has 10 working days each year allocated for their personal development.
- We also encourage professional development through apprenticeships, self-directed learning or learning providers and encourage membership with relevant bodies to help with your future career.
- In addition, our staff have access to a wide range of employee discount schemes including retail reductions, a bicycle salary sacrifice and Health cash plans and insurance.
Meet some of our employees, and read more about what it’s like to work at Natural England: Natural England: Life , LinkedIn
Our people enjoy rewarding careers and work to improve the lives of everyone who uses England’s green spaces. Everything’s better with nature. You included.
Locations
Natural England has adopted hybrid working and our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All staff are linked to one of our 25 offices across England and attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours. Staff who are based in the London office are eligible to receive the London Allowance of £3,500 per annum (pro-rata for part-time staff). Travel expenses are paid for all work-related travel, aside from commuting between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area. View a map of our office locations here: online map of Natural England office locations
Description
- Demonstrable expertise in the planning system, with experience of applying planning policy and processes to secure positive environmental outcomes for designated sites, protected landscapes and protected species (Essential).
- Strong understanding of planning mechanisms that support nature recovery, with practical experience of processes such as Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainability Appraisal and the Development Plan process. Able to interpret and apply emerging planning policies and frameworks to achieve enhanced outcomes for nature (Essential).
- Ability to identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Essential)
- Knowledge of local government processes and/or experience in ecology, environmental management or land management would be advantageous, providing additional context for advising on planning and nature recovery matters (Desirable).
Qualifications
Please refer to Job Description
Relevant degree in subject matter
Alongside your salary of £33,780, Natural England contributes £9,786 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
Please Refer To Job Description
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Hannah Taoka
- Email : hannah.taoka@naturalengland.org.uk
- Telephone : 07887 303186
- Email : defra-recruitment-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
https://networkrecruitment.tal.net/vx/appcentre-7/brand-4/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/8/opp/6894-6894-Planning-Casework-Higher-Officer/en-GB
