Principal Environmental Assessment Officer

RGB Ltd

Job Description

1. Job Title: PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OFFICER
(Policy and Environmental Planning)

2. Post Number: TBC

3. Grade: POA/POB

4. Group: Planning and Transportation Services
Department: Environmental Services
Section: Policy and Environmental Planning

5. Designation of immediate supervisor:
Policy and Environmental Planning Manager

6. Supervision Exercised:
1. Number of people directly supervised 0
2. Number of people indirectly supervised 2

7. Contacts:
a) Internal
All Planning and Transportation Services staff; officers in other departments

b) External
Planning staff in other local authorities, government departments, statutory bodies including Greater London Authority, local organisations and the general public.

8. Main scope of job (i.e. purpose)
The postholder will be a member of a multidisciplinary team of staff responsible to the Policy and Environmental Planning Manager for leading on all Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work undertaken by the section. Work will be largely divided between (1) the SEA/SA work required in conjunction with the preparation of the emerging Local Development Framework and other published plans and programmes in Planning and Transportation and (2) EIA Screening and Scoping and the assessment of Environmental Statements associated with development proposals.

9. Duties performed personally:

Under the direction of the Policy and Environmental Planning Manager, to assist with work on the following matters:

1) To lead on all SEA and SA work required for the preparation of the Local Development Framework and subsequent reviews, including the identification of baseline information, scoping, the assessment of alternatives, the predication, evaluation and any mitigation of effects, stakeholder involvement and monitoring.

2) To develop a project brief, working with the PEP Manager, setting out the SEA and SA processes and timetabling required for the preparation of the Local Development Framework and subsequent reviews.

3) To prepare screening opinions on other plans and programmes undertaken within the Planning and Transportation Services Group and to lead on any required SEA work including the identification of baseline information, scoping, the assessment of alternatives, the predication, evaluation and any mitigation of effects, stakeholder involvement and monitoring.

4) To prepare screening opinions on other plans and programmes undertaken by the Council and where necessary, to lead on any required SEA work including the identification of baseline information, scoping, the assessment of alternatives, the predication, evaluation and any mitigation of effects, stakeholder involvement and monitoring.

5) To prepare EIA screening opinions on development proposals (1) in response to requests to screening opinions and (2) as part of the section’s assessment of planning applications

6) To prepare EIA scoping opinions on development proposals where screening opinions identify development as comprising Schedule 1 and where comprising Schedule 2 development which constitutes EIA development.

7) To lead on the assessment of Environmental Statements, including interpretation of technical reports and appendices which may comprise part or all of the ES

8) To ensure that the EIA register is maintained and kept up-to-date

9) To provide guidance for any sub-ordinate staff engaged in the implementation of the above duties
10) To prepare and give evidence at public inquiries, as required
11) To prepare and present reports to Cabinet and the Planning and Transportation Portfolio members in relation to the above duties, and attend such meetings of the Council’s Cabinet and other Committees as required by the Head of Planning Services
12) Attend public meetings and meetings of other organisations as may be required in connection with the duties of the post.
13) Represent the Council at the meetings of sub-regional and London-wide bodies, including the Greater London Authority and the Association of London Government.
14) To prepare an annual performance agreement and adhere to the Council’s system of performance management.
15) To lead or participate in any related project teams which may from time to time be set up and take responsibility for leading the teams’ work on matters relating to SEA, SA or EIA
16) To comply with legislation, Council and Group Standing Orders, instructions and resolutions.
17) Undertake any other related duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post.

DRAFT PERSON SPECIFICATION

PLEASE READ THE DETAILS ON THIS FORM CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION FORM.

This form lists the essential requirements needed in order to do the job.

Your written application will be considered in relation to the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, education and experience required for the job and candidates will therefore be selected for interview on this basis.

For each of the requirements listed below you will need to explain how your skills, abilities, knowledge, education and experience make you suitable for this post. These may have been gained through previous employment, voluntary/community work, spare time activities, home responsibilities, training, or languages spoken. You should also include anything else relevant to the job which you think we should know about.

Job Title: PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OFFICER

Group: Planning and Transportation Services

Section: Policy and Environmental Planning

Post Reference: TBC

Grade: POA/POB

Hours: 36 hours per week

Requirements

SECTION 1 Knowledge, skills and abilities

Proven survey, analysis and presentation skills.

Proven verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrate a commitment to team work

Ability to cope with variety and sudden changes in workload

Numerate and demonstrate an interest in dealing effectively with data

Computer literate

Demonstrate an enthusiastic and innovative approach to work

It would be desirable:

To have an expertise or an interest in some of the following areas of planning policy:
Ecology, biodiversity, sustainability or open land

To demonstrate self-motivation, confidence and a positive attitude in your approach to work

SECTION 11 Education and Experience

(Except for those posts which require a statutory qualification we always state an experience level equivalent to a qualification)

Experience in any of the following areas is required:
Environmental Impact Asessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Sustainability Appraisals
Ecology
Policy and plan making
Project preparation and implementation

Recent UK planning experience is desirable

SECTION 111 Special requirements

Possess current driving licence

Sufficient personal mobility to undertake site visits

Undertake occasional evening meetings