Environmental Advisor Student Placement

Job Summary

The Planning Inspectorate is a government agency of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. We handle planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and other specialist casework across England.

Our job is to help meet future infrastructure needs and underpin further economic growth through sustainable development across a number of sectors, particularly energy and transport.

We support communities and where they live by implementing the government’s aims of sustainable development through shaping positive local planning.

You will be working for a government agency at the forefront of environmental planning in the UK. Our projects are of national significance including wind and solar farms, pipelines, nuclear power, transport schemes, and many more. This is your chance to be involved in shaping landscapes and communities in England using sustainable and environmentally conscious methods.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

• Review planning and appeal documents to prepare screening and review reports.
• Upload and manage GIS data for major projects, identifying consultees for consultation.
• Monitor the team inbox, log new cases, and respond to queries.
• Contribute to scoping opinions and transboundary assessments, providing feedback on environmental impacts.

Team

• Build collaborative relationships across teams, the Inspectorate, and with stakeholders.
• Share ideas to improve processes and enhance performance.
• Act on feedback, take responsibility for self-development, and model organisational values.
• Ensure compliance with data management, health, safety, and organisational policies.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is being advertised at £23,751 Apprentice AO Grade.

Working Hours

Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train 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

• Sandwich year placement student on any environmental-related course such as environmental science, environmental management, ecology, or geography.
• High attention to detail with motivation to work in environment planning.
• Good time management and ability to manage own workload and prioritise conflicting priorities to deliver to agreed timescales.
• Ability to analyse large volumes of information (written and numeric).
• A high standard of written and oral skills.
• IT literate with ability to work effectively across the Microsoft suite of applications.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in an administrative capacity in an operational delivery or customer service environment.
• Basic knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Act (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and/or The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £23,751, Planning Inspectorate contributes £6,880 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-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 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• A Personal Statement (1000 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert.

If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.

• Sandwich year placement student on any environmental related course such as environmental science, environmental management, ecology or geography

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 are currently completed remotely using Microsoft Teams. 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.
• Interviews will be a blend of Behaviour, Strength, and Experience questions.
• Candidates who are successful at shortlist stage will be sent full assessment requirements with their interview invitations.
• Regardless of the outcome at this stage, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible and feedback will be provided.

Other Information

• Shortlist Date: w/c 26 January 2026
• Interview Date: w/c 9 February 2026
• Reserve list: A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
• Future Matches: Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.
• Merit list order: We appoint in merit list order, starting with any permanent appointments followed by any fixed-term appointments.
• ID and Documents: If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.
• Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.