Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Officer 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.

We are helping to meet future infrastructure needs; further economic growth will be underpinned by sustainable development across a number of sectors, particularly energy and transport.

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

You will be immersed in the centre of infrastructure planning in the UK. Working in a dynamic casework team, you will provide support in the various duties required of the process, including attending developer meetings, quality checking application documents, and organising case evidence. You will also have the opportunity to travel to various locations around the country to ensure the smooth running of preliminary meetings, site visits, and hearings.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Operational Delivery

• Act as the first point of contact for multiple projects, responding to and escalating queries.
• Support event management and logistics for online and in-person meetings, assisting inspectors and attendees.
• Prepare reports, trackers, and technical summaries, and take accurate notes during project meetings.
• Create and maintain mailing lists, and analyse documentation for compliance with the Planning Act 2008.
• Coordinate with the administration team to manage document redaction, publication, and mailings.

Customer Relationships

• Provide excellent customer service to applicants, the public, local authorities, and other organisations.
• Collaborate with internal teams, external organisations, and the Secretary of State to achieve objectives.
• Represent the Inspectorate at events, both online and in person.

Team

• Share ideas and solutions to improve processes and enhance team performance.
• Work flexibly across different teams within the National Infrastructure group.
• Commit to training, self-development, and acting on feedback.
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies on data management, health, and safety.

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. 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, a 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognize and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in-person attendance, which can vary depending on the requirements of individual business units - details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person Specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements listed:

Essential Criteria

• Sandwich year placement student on any environmental-related course such as environmental science, environmental management, ecology, or geography.
• Good Microsoft IT skills to manage large spreadsheets of text and complex reports.
• Proven ability to accurately check data and information records.
• Good customer service skills, providing comprehensive written correspondence and telephone contact to a wide variety of customers.
• Excellent communication skills, confident dealing with a range of stakeholders and escalating issues to internal contacts as appropriate.
• Organisational skills, demonstrated by the ability to manage multiple tasks, with the ability to prioritize effectively.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within an administrative or customer-facing environment.
• Event assistant or management.
• Involvement in planning or consenting regimes.
• Knowledge of the Planning Act 2008.

Behaviours

• 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.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture that encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days of 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.

Things you need to know

Artificial Intelligence

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, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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 a CV and a Personal Statement (1000 words max) to show how you meet the essential criteria.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterward.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview for an in-depth discussion about their experience and suitability for the role. Interviews are currently completed remotely using Microsoft Teams.

Interviews will be a blend of Behaviour, Strength, and Experience questions. Feedback will be provided to all interviewed candidates.

Other Information

• Shortlist Date: w/c 26 January 2026
• Interview Date: w/c 9 February 2026
• A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, as we do not hold a Visa sponsorship license.

Disability Confident Interview Scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. A Disability Confident Interview scheme is available for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments will be provided where possible.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. All candidates working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme
• Other specific groups as listed in the full job description

Full details of nationality requirements are available online.