Higher Officer, Sustainable Development - ( Ref : 6559 ) in Nottingham

This position is based at Crewe or Manchester. The purpose of this role is to provide advice on Local Plans and associated strategic planning documents, the Green Infrastructure Framework, and as required development management casework within the area team. Natural England aims to provide early, and proactive advice based on the best available evidence. You will work closely with external partners to reach solutions which deliver sustainable growth while securing positive environmental outcomes.

We are looking for someone with knowledge of the planning system and processes; however, they must also be keen to develop their skills in a fast-paced role which will have the opportunity to work on high profile plans and projects. We also need someone who can demonstrate that they can build and develop positive relationships with colleagues and external partners as this will be fundamental to successful delivery. This role will work closely with Sustainable Development Senior Officers in the team and will have the opportunity to shadow more complex work. This role will be based in Natural England’s Cheshire to Lancashire Area Team and will help to deliver Natural England’s vision for Nature Recovery and Building Better Places through supporting our sustainable development work.

The Area Team covers four counties of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and Lancashire. It includes the uplands of Forest of Bowland and West Pennines through the diverse lowlands of Cheshire to the rich coastal habitats of the Irish Sea coast and its wealth of estuaries, and the large conurbations of Liverpool and Manchester. Flexible working options are supported, and regular travel within Cheshire to Lancashire is required for site visits and meetings.

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

• Deliver timely, high quality, pragmatic and legally sound advice to planning authorities and developers in the area team geography, focussing on provision of advice on Strategic Planning (Local Plans) associated Habitats Regulations Assessments and Green Infrastructure.
• Support Senior Officers in the delivery of High Risk and High Opportunity casework, as required, building your expertise to deliver quality-assured and robust advice on major plans and projects and through escalating risk through appropriate channels.
• Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues in order to support nature recovery, often through use of chargeable services that support better environmental outcomes.
• Proactively work with partners on opportunities that take forward NE nature recovery goals including use of biodiversity net gain, provision of high quality green and blue infrastructure, and creating opportunities for better connections between people and nature.
• Play a leading role in promoting and supporting the implementation of Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework within the team.
• Apply the highest standards of record keeping and decision making to demonstrate that legislation, policy and governance frameworks are followed, and consistent advice is delivered to customers.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Understanding and experience of the planning system and its processes including local policy planning and development management and how to apply it in the context of NE’s activities and duties (essential).
• Experience of reviewing Local Plans, planning applications and environmental assessments including Strategic Environmental Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments to inform advice and decisions (essential).
• Knowledge of relevant planning and environmental policy and legislation affecting protected sites/areas and species (essential).
• Strong organisational ability to manage complex delivery areas with competing demands (essential).
• The ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues (both internally and externally) to help make things happen and deliver outcomes (essential).
• An ability to learn new areas of expertise to fulfil the tasks relevant to the post (essential).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (essential).
• Broad understanding of Natural England’s remit and objectives, the objectives of partners including Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Environment Agency (EA) and Local Planning Authorities (desirable).
• An understanding of the Green Infrastructure Framework and its application in a planning context (desirable).

How To Apply

We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview. If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview.

We now provide primary interview questions in advance for all formal recruitments. This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. We'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process:

• Technical Skills and Knowledge
• Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
• Personal Effectiveness
• Work Delivery

When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. Give us an example of how you have demonstrated the competency (which can be work related or from another area of your life) and tell us about the Situation, the specific Task you had to undertake, the specific Actions you took, and the Result (both immediate and in a wider context) of your Action. Please note that STAR format is not required when answering the Technical Skills & Knowledge competency. Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to attend an interview via MS Teams or a suitable alternative, where you will be asked to give examples for all competencies as set out in the Job Description. As with all roles in NE, these roles require office attendance of a minimum of 20% of the working time – one day per week for those who work full time, subject to any reasonable adjustments and/or existing contractual homeworking.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Technical expertise in and experience of planning mechanisms and their application for nature recovery – e.g. Habitats Regulations Assessments, Development Plan process, Sustainability Appraisals, Environmental Impact Assessments (or others).
• Ability to understand new planning processes and how they might be applied to enable the delivery of enhanced nature recovery (Essential).

Putting People at the Heart of the Environment

• Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and the organisation you represent (Practitioner).
• Work proactively and collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to identify and secure opportunities to deliver gains for people and nature (Practitioner).

Personal Effectiveness

• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience. (Practitioner)
• Be ambitious, identify and adopt ways to make improvements in your team and Natural England and inspire others to act. (Practitioner)
• Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgment and evidence (Practitioner).

Work Delivery

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines. (Practitioner)
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures. (Practitioner)