Sustainable Development Lead Adviser

Natural England is seeking an environmental specialist with a good understanding of the potential impacts of development on the natural environment to play a key role in the protection of nature and landscapes across the iconic landscapes of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey and London.

As a Sustainable Development Lead Adviser, your role will be varied and will involve leading on our engagement with local planning authorities to help shape their local plans, providing advice to developers and regulators, and securing environmental enhancements to benefit our landscape-scale focus areas. The role will have a particular focus on our work in Thames Basin Heaths, Wealden Heaths and Surrey Hills AONB and you will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of high profile cases as well as help ensure our Sustainable Development work is fully integrated into our focus areas approach.

We are looking for someone with an environmental background, with a good understanding of the potential impacts of development on the natural environment, and a desire to work with others to find solutions that deliver positive environmental outcomes. You don’t have to currently be in a planning role but it would be helpful to have an understanding of environmental legislation and the planning system.

Much of Natural England's Thames Team's work is at a landscape-scale, focusing on key areas where we will get the best environmental outcomes for people and wildlife. Our Sustainable Development work is a key part of this approach, working closely with land management, wildlife licensing, coastal access, and marine colleagues to help secure strategic approaches and solutions that ensure our wildlife, habitats, and landscapes are able to flourish. By focusing on what we want to achieve, and working closely with local authorities, landowners and other partners, we aim to develop shared objectives that will secure a healthy environment, economy and society.

To find out more about this unique opportunity please click here.

Closing date: 7^th March 2018.

Natural England is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve.