Sustainable Places Technical Specialist - 35684
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Number of jobs available
1
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Region
North East
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City/Town
Newcastle
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Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA TEESDALE HOUSE, DL1 4GQ, DEFRA GRP EA TYNESIDE HOUSE, NE4 7AR
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Grade
Staff Grade 5
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Post Type
Permanent
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Role Type
Environment & Sustainability, Planning
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Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
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Salary Minimum
£43,198
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Closing Date:
03/07/2026, 23:55 hours
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Job description attachment 1
PC05 Partnerships & Customers, Grade 5
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Candidate pack
Candidate Pack - 35684.docx – 6580KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Candidate Pack - 35684.docx.pdf – 2181KB Opens in a new window
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Security checks level
Basic Check
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Job description
Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to have a meaningful impact.
To boost economic growth the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million homes and fast-tracking 150 Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects this Parliament. The North East area has a number of strategically significant developments along our rivers and the Sustainable Places Team works as part of The North East Combined Authority ( NECA) to support development across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley.
We are looking for a proactive and motivated person to influence these developments to ensure the natural environment is protected and enhanced alongside supporting the Governments growth mission.
You will:
Be a strong team player who enjoys ‘making things happen’.
Coordinate our pre-planning and planning advice on strategic growth proposals. This will include working with, and influencing developers, local authorities, Government departments and housing delivery organisations.
Work collaboratively with internal colleagues to deliver innovative multi-functional approaches to addressing challenging environmental issues. These include water quality, water resources, flood risk and climate change.
Proactively lead at a senior strategic level to develop and maintain influential external networks that support our organisational objectives, while remaining mindful of political sensitivities.
Provide strong technical leadership which inspires, motivates and develops the team and other colleagues.
Supporting the Team Leader in developing the team and taking ownership of improvement initiatives and actions.
There will be a requirement for regular travel to other offices and sites to meet customers and partners.
You’ll receive full support, induction, and the equipment you need to thrive.
Incident response is central to our mission. Everyone who joins us undertakes training and is expected to support incident response, which could attract additional payments.
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The team
The Sustainable Places team, which sits within Local Operations and Environment Planning and Engagement (EPE), is a friendly, collaborative group working across departments to shape local plan strategies and planning applications. We partner internally and externally - with councils, developers, water companies, and Defra to provide expert environmental advice.
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Experience/skills required
You will have significant relevant experience in planning and be able to demonstrate the following:
A qualification in, or practical experience of, Town and Country Planning or a relevant discipline.
Working with the Environment Agency as a Planning Advisor or Planning Specialist or in a consultee team, or working for a developer, local planning authority, or other statutory consultee.
Work using own initiative to build up new networks and relationships.
Working with and influencing organisations and individuals to deliver environmental benefits.
Problem solving with the ability to work on complex issues and opportunities.
Confidence in communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
Ability to provide pre-application and strategic advice, including the associated recovery of costs for this work.
Team-working skills and experience in working flexibly responding to changing demands in a high workload, high pressure environment
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Contact and additional information
The role is based at Tyneside House, Newcastle Upon Tyne or Teesdale House, Darlington; however our hybrid working model means we are lucky to have the flexibility to work from both the office and home, dependent primarily on business need, allowing for personal circumstances where we can.
Please read the candidate pack and generic role profile for more information.
Any queries, contact
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews are planned for w/c 3rd August 2026 via MS Teams or in person at Tyneside House, Newcastle, but this may be subject to change.
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Competence 1
Uses Initiative
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Description
Please give an example of a time when, in the absence of direction, you have used your initiative to deliver successful outcomes.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
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Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
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Description
Can you please explain how you’ve delivered clear message(s) to a large and diverse audience.
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Competence 3
Influences and Persuades Others
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Description
Please explain how you have influenced others to change their plans, or approach something in a different way, to achieve the best outcome for the business.
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Role specific license requirements
Full UK Driving Licence
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If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
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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. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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