About the role:

LUC are seeking 3 graduate or early careers environmental planning consultants to join our Environmental Planning team. Our team focuses on the delivery of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and provision of environmental planning support to projects seeking development consent. You will be joining a friendly, established team who have built a strong reputation for delivery of EIA for often complex projects across a range of sectors but with a focus on supporting the Net Zero agenda.

Working as a valued member of our team, you will be equipped with all the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to begin or develop your career in EIA project management and environmental planning. You will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects, including onshore renewable energy developments, electricity transmission infrastructure, urban regeneration, and developments supporting biodiversity net gain. LUC also undertakes independent EIA documentation reviews, and you will have a role to play in delivering this as well as supporting the wider environmental planning practice.

Involved in all stages of project development from tendering and early feasibility appraisals through to the completion of EIA Reports and/or Environmental Statements, EIA Consultants are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the work we undertake. It is expected that, with experience, you will build on your knowledge and skills and work towards carrying out the full range of responsibilities. LUC will support you in your career development as an environmental planning practitioner with training and mentoring, working alongside colleagues from our planning, landscape, ecology, heritage, arboriculture and GIS & Visualisation teams across the UK.

Key elements of the role include:

• Undertaking EIA and related project co-ordination tasks, including liaising with other project team members (both within LUC and external sub-consultants), attending design workshops, meetings and recording/tracking key project actions whilst working with experienced EIA project managers who will provide you with ongoing support and guidance.
• Drafting text for Screening and Scoping Reports, EIA Reports and/or Environmental Statements.
• Supporting the technical specialists in EIA project teams in progressing their inputs and working with the EIA project manager and EIA project director to evaluate environmental information to provide advice to our clients.
• Identifying opportunities to provide environmental enhancement to projects and sites, working with our clients, design teams and other stakeholders.
• Co-ordinating our EIA Report / Environmental Statement peer review work and providing input to reports.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

The role can be based in LUC’s offices in Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Manchester. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

A full-time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working, and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.

Salary: £24,575 - £28,050 FTE (Dependent on experience).

This is a great time to be joining LUC. Since its creation nearly 60 years ago, LUC has been driven by the belief that planning has a critical role to play in shaping the world around us for the better. This work has never been more critical or urgent.

Experience and qualifications

We are seeking enthusiastic, organised, and motivated people who are keen to learn and assist with a range of projects. The role is primarily as a co-ordinator, supporting the management of the EIA process and technical specialists, with real-world opportunities for learning and development.

The successful candidate will work closely with more senior members of the team who will act as mentors and provide support and guidance, along with having the opportunity to work on a range of challenging and rewarding projects from the outset. You will be self-driven and with an enquiring mind and determination to succeed in a fast paced and diverse role.

Essential

• Educated to Bachelor’s level or the equivalent in a relevant environmental degree (e.g. geography, environmental science / management).
• Demonstrable interest in environmental issues, understanding of the environment, key policy frameworks, and the potential impacts of new development.
• Excellent report writing, editing and numeracy skills.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, particularly with Word, Excel and Project.
• An organised and efficient approach to completing work within tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage and prioritise own time, working alongside more senior colleagues.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to building relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Appetite for continuous learning, challenges and professional development.

Desirable

• Working towards full membership of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or similar.
• Working knowledge of GIS and its application in environmental and planning contexts.
• Understanding of the planning and other development consenting systems across the UK, including the planning system in Scotland for positions in the Glasgow or Edinburgh offices.
• Understanding of contemporary environmental issues and the most pressing challenges with respect to development activities.
• Master’s degree in a relevant subject (as above).
• Voluntary experience in a relevant role.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the above link

LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.