35918 - Sustainable Places Planning Specialist


Company:	Environment Agency
Salary:	£43,198
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Wallingford, OX10 8BD
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 4 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	20 Aug 2026
Closing date:	7 Sept 2026

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Summary

Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to have a meaningful impact.

We are looking for a proactive and motivated person to influence development to ensure the natural environment is protected and enhanced alongside supporting the Government's 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.

Support the Team Leader in developing the team and taking ownership of improvement initiatives and actions.

There will be a requirement for regular travel to offices and sites to meet customers and partners.

You’ll receive full support, induction, and the equipment you need to thrive.

This role is a full-time role; however, considerations will be given to reasonable part-time/flexible working requests in line with policy and business needs.

Important – If you consent to being held on a reserve list having passed the assessment during this recruitment round, we’ll hold your details for 6 months. We may look to utilise the reserve list for future expected recruitment rounds for similar roles.

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.

The team

The Thames Sustainable Places Team, part of the Environment Planning and Engagement (EPE) Department, is a friendly and collaborative team shaping development and growth across the Thames area. We work closely with colleagues, councils, developers, water companies and government partners to provide expert planning and environmental advice, helping to deliver sustainable development and secure positive environmental outcomes for communities and the environment.

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