Job Title: Planner – Energy Projects
Location: East Suffolk Council, East Suffolk House (Melton) or Riverside (Lowestoft)
Salary: £31,099 – £48,587 per annum (Career Grade – Planner/Senior Planner/Principal Planner)
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent, Hybrid Working
Positions Available: 2 Posts available
Working Hours: 37 hrs per week
Closing Date: 27th October 2023, 1pm
Interview Date: W / C 6th November 2023
We currently have two exciting opportunities to join East Suffolk Council’s established and growing Energy Projects Team.
This is an exciting time to work on large scale energy projects. The Government’s commitment to a net-zero United Kingdom by 2050 will require significant changes to the energy sector and result in numerous energy projects in Suffolk. You will be working at the forefront of this transition.
The Secretary of State granted development consent for the Sizewell C project in July 2022, the project involves the construction of a new nuclear power station producing low carbon electricity to help achieve the UK’s target. The Sizewell C project will be one of the largest construction projects in Europe and you could be part of the team helping to deliver the development. In addition to this, six offshore wind farms have been consented since 2008 within the district and East Suffolk faces proposals for further nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) in the form of undersea electricity links between Great Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands and also electricity transmission enhancements in the form of a subsea link between Suffolk and Kent.
It is calculated with all the offshore wind and nuclear development that is in place, and proposed, it will result in approximately 30% of the UK’s electricity being routed via East Suffolk.
The Role:
The career grade role offers a unique opportunity for planners of differing levels of experience. You will be appointed on the career grade structure according to your qualifications, competencies, and experience from planner through to principal. The career grade structure provides clear opportunities for progression.
We are looking for proactive and motivated planners to both lead and work as part of a team in assessing, managing and delivering NSIPs, seeking to achieve the best possible outcomes for East Suffolk taking into account relevant legislation, policies and procedures of the council.
You will be expected to carry out a range of planning duties, including engaging in both the consenting and delivery phases of NSIP projects. The role will involve working collaboratively with promotors/applicants, communities, and stakeholders, using your skills as a planner to achieve well designed developments, seeking to minimise their impacts on the environment and communities and deliver maximum benefits to the area. This could involve providing pre-application advice, engaging in examinations, determining requirement discharges (equivalent to condition discharges) and carrying out enforcement duties.
What you will need:
- A recognised qualification (to masters degree level or equivalent) in town planning
- Experience of working in planning either in the public or private sector
- Experience and knowledge gained working in relation to Town and Country Planning Act applications would be relevant and transferrable
- Confidence in negotiation, the ability to foster robust working relationships, and strong analytical skills are all essential for this position
- You will be an enthusiastic and committed individual, who has the ability to deliver in a dynamic environment
Here are some of the main benefits:
- Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
- Local government pension scheme
- Flexible working arrangements
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes
- Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.
Please click on the APPLY button and you will be redirected to the Council’s careers page.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Energy Officer, Development Officer, Consultation Officer, Planner, Planning Officer, Technical Planning Assistant, RTPI, Technical Services Officer, Spatial Planning, Town Planner, Development Planning Coordinator, Planning Technician, Town Planning Advisor, Development Technician, Planning Administrator, Planning Controller, Planning Consultant, Development Control Planner, Town and Country Planning, Town and Country Planner, Energy Project Manager, Project Manager may also be considered for this role.
