Atkins is one of the world’s leading engineering, environmental and design consultancies offering unparalleled opportunities for talented individuals in search of a rewarding career. Our Planning and Environmental Consenting teams based in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Epsom, Bristol and Warrington work with Atkins’ businesses and clients across the UK, providing us with a variety of interesting and challenging development and infrastructure projects. For a flavour of some of Atkins’ recent and varied planning projects, please see our
Planning Brochure.
We require an Assistant Planner for our Birmingham office to join the progressive Planning and Environmental consenting team. This position offers an opportunity to provide direct support to our planning team, helping to deliver a wide range of planning applications, Development Consent Order submissions, development feasibility and evidence based studies. The role would also include providing advice to a variety of public and private sector clients across the transportation, housing, water and energy markets. A key part of the role will also be to work collaboratively with other environmental disciplines within the wider Atkins UK teams, to provide comprehensive advice across a range of challenging infrastructure projects (current examples include projects for Highways England, the East West Rail Alliance, Severn Trent Water and Swindon Borough Council).
Responsibilities
• Input into the preparation of planning applications and supporting documents (including Environmental Impact Assessment) for development and infrastructure schemes
• Input into the preparation of Development Consent Orders and associated documentation
• Assist with procuring wider licences and consents
• Providing support at public consultation events required as part of the pre-application consultation process, and recording related data
• Planning policy reviews for energy, transport, water, environmental and housing/ regeneration projects across the UK
• Provision of planning support to the internal Atkins businesses
• Input into the preparation of evidence based studies
Requirements
• A relevant planning degree or Masters which meets the requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
• Working towards Chartered membership of the RTPI (or already Chartered)
• Relevant experience from working in planning practice or a local government planning team
• Sound knowledge of planning law and procedures, including the changing planning (and environmental) system at national and local levels
• Capable of working alongside multi-discipline technical specialists providing input into planning submissions and EIAs
• Consultancy experience is an advantage
• Flexible approach to working and willingness to work from client offices if required
The Individual
The successful applicant will be able to use and develop his/her planning knowledge by working in a busy Planning and Environmental Consenting team, across a wide range of opportunities. The individual will be expected to demonstrate:
• Good communication skills, both written and face-to-face; with the ability to draft persuasive, accurate reports to a high standard
• An ability to meet challenging, tight deadlines and display good time management skills
• An aptitude to work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and the confidence to input effectively as an individual across a range of planning projects
• Commitment to assisting a wide range of colleagues and clients, delivering a consistently high quality service
• Flexibility to travel to other Atkins UK regional offices on occasion
Training
Atkins develops individuals through a portfolio of training and development activities designed to help to make the best of their abilities and talents. These are reviewed with individuals through an annual appraisal process. We actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.
Rewards and Benefits
Please refer to Atkins’ website for details of our full benefits package.
