Associate EIA Advisor
Planning Inspectorate
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Environmental Services Team (EST) is responsible for providing support and advice to applicants, Inspectors and Examining Authorities across all of the Planning Inspectorate’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) appeals casework.
Your role will include a variety of task such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening, scoping and reviewing documents which are submitted as part of casework appeals and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Joining us, you will gain experience working in some of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects and help to deliver decisions relating to future energy security and broader infrastructure needs.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please see the information pack attached. You can also view our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Job description
We are looking for motivated, forward-thinking individuals with an analytical mindset and an ability to communicate with a range of audiences to work in a busy, project-focussed environment.
You should be organised, able to work under pressure and deliver high-quality work at a fast pace.
You will be able to co-ordinate and review work effectively. You will have an awareness of environmental assessment and regulation in a project context. With support, you will provide high quality responses to technical questions from applicants, Inspectors and colleagues. You will be working in a team with a strong culture of collaboration. To be successful in the role you will need to contribute to a team culture which encourages everyone to not only do their best work but to take ownership of processes and deliverables.
During your time with us as an Associate EIA Advisor, you will be working to deliver core work of the Environmental Services Team, from carrying out EIA screenings for TCPA appeals to using GIS to produce consultation lists. With support, you will undertake review work of documents submitted for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
You’ll build effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders and will work as part of a team supporting each other and sharing process improvements. You’ll collate information submitted by the public and other stakeholders, and answer queries, prepare letters, and provide advice to applicants and other interested parties.
For full information on the role and assessment process please refer to the candidate pack attached.
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- A good understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act TCPA (EIA) Regulations (2017) and the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations (2017)
- Analytical skills, including the ability to critically review documents and to research, understand and answer environmental queries.
- Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate confidently with external bodies and other stakeholders on EIA issues.
- IT literate, including ability to use electronic databases and filing systems, management of databases, document processing.
Desirable Criteria
- Graduate in an appropriate environmental or land use discipline (eg ecology, environmental science, environmental impact assessment, archaeology, landscape, planning, or engineering)
- Experience of working in an environmental/planning team and Habitats Regulations Assessments
- Knowledge of the Planning Act 2008, data bases, GIS and spatial mapping
- Experience of EIA screening and scoping
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- A good understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) (EIA) Regulations (2017) and the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations (2017)
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
- Generous family friendly policies.
- Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
For full information see our Benefits information pack.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
- A CV: The CV section is an opportunity for you to detail your career history. It should outline the jobs you have done, the length of time you were employed within each role and a brief description of your role, responsibilities and duties which demonstrate relevance to the role you are applying for against the essential criteria. You must type, or ‘copy and paste’ into the text box called ‘Employment History’ within the online application. You cannot attach a copy of your CV.
- A Personal Statement (750 words max): The personal statement allows you to outline your suitability for the role in more depth, expanding on your CV evidence. It is an opportunity for you to provide evidence against the essential criteria listed within the candidate pack on the Person Specification page.
We will assess your application on the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria detailed in the Person Specification in the candidate pack.
In the event of a large number of applications, a lead sift may take place. The following point will be used as the lead criteria when shortlisting if this happens, and if you do not meet the minimum standard the rest of your application will not be assessed.
- A good understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act TCPA (EIA) Regulations (2017) and the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations (2017)
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
- Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
- Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength, and technical questions
Candidates who are successful at shortlist stage will be sent full assessment requirements with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: Between 11 and 13 November 2024
Interview Date: Between 20 and 22 November 2024
Interviews are currently being completed remotely using Microsoft Teams. We would like to reassure candidates that the virtual interview will not be recorded (or retained) within the Planning Inspectorate, other than usual interview protocol and in line with the Civil Service jobs Privacy notice.
We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.
The Planning Inspectorate is committed to finding the right person for the job. We recruit using Success Profiles and consider the criteria you will need to demonstrate to be successful for the role.
ID and Documents
If specific qualifications/memberships are essential for the role and you are successful, you will be asked to provide accurate scanned or photographed images of the qualifications/memberships that you listed on your application prior to your start date.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
To be considered for an interview under the scheme you must:
- have a disability defined by the Equality Act 2010
- provide evidence in your application that you meet the minimum criteria in the job description
- meet all of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential
While we will endeavour to provide you with all the appropriate information, you are the expert on your specific requirements so if you require any adjustments, you should consider the information provided about the assessment process in the candidate pack and then:
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. The earlier and more clearly you tell us what you need and why you need it, the more likely we are to be able to accommodate you in a timely fashion.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Todd Brumwell
- Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/
