Infrastructure Inspector – Band 2

As a Band 2 Inspector, you will be appointed to undertake a broad range of Infrastructure casework across various consenting frameworks such as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPS) which can involve working as part of a panel of Inspectors where you will report findings to your panel lead or as a single examiner on some of the less controversial schemes. You may also be appointed to other areas such as permits and wayleaves in the field of energy and water resources and orders under the Transport and Works and Highway Acts which are currently done by way of either written representations (run by Secretary of State (SoS) at the Department for Transport (DfT) or by inquiry run by the Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please see the information pack attached.

NSIPs are examined under the Planning Act 2008 in an inquisitorial manner, and it is a predominately written process, supplemented by hearings often with high media and political interest. The process is governed by statutory timescales requiring a report on the development consent order to be submitted to the relevant SoS usually at Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) or Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). As a single examiner you will be responsible for recommending whether or not development consent should be granted and so maintaining momentum and pace throughout is a key component to ensuring applications are progressed efficiently and as quickly as possible. 

We’re looking for people who can make impartial recommendations and decisions based on sound judgement and evidence and can communicate those decisions clearly – in writing and speaking. You will be able to thrive in an autonomous home-based environment, whilst being a team player working collaboratively with others. Band 2 Inspectors will need to have the experience and skills to operate as panel members together with other professionals. They also require resilience to manage complex and controversial cases.

Your strong communication and interpersonal skills will be fundamental, as you take on, often large and high profile, public casework events sensitively but with authority.  We are looking for motivated and inquisitive individuals with relevant skills and experience combined with a genuine enthusiasm for the role.

Please open our candidate pack to find out more information and the job description.

Essential Criteria

• Full / Chartered membership of a professional body (see separate list) relevant to the work of an Inspector.
• Experience of working in at least one of the following areas of expertise: planning, relevant area of law, transport, engineering, relevant area of health, environmental impact assessment, heritage, building/landscape design, energy, waste, water and waste water.
• Experience of a high-level of personal responsibility for decision making based on evidence, relevant facts, tests, enquiries on complex matters.
• A demonstrable record of acquiring knowledge quickly, identifying and actively pursuing personal CPD training needs and maintaining and developing professional skills and capability.
• Effective interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact authoritatively but sensitively with a diverse range of people.
• A demonstrable ability to plan for and to manage what may be challenging public events (such as inquiries and examinations), in which there may be high levels of public interest and engagement, across a wide range of Band 2 infrastructure casework.
• A demonstrable ability to ‘think on your feet’ to solve problems (before, at or following events) quickly and effectively using your own initiative.
• A demonstrable ability to assess, understand, critically analyse and weigh-up complex and detailed information and evidence from multiple sources, in order to identify the issues on which you will need to focus your attention.
• A demonstrable ability to write clear, accurate and concise decisions / reports that reach logical, convincing, well-reasoned and evidence-based conclusions.
• A demonstrable ability to deliver pieces of complex casework in line with PINS’ timeliness and quality measures.
• Confident in using digital technology and adapting to new technology in all aspects of your work.

We will be holding 2 Question and Answer sessions on 12/09/2023 and 13/09/2023 at 12 noon.  This provides you with the opportunity to speak to Planning Inspectors about their experience of working at the Planning Inspectorate.  If you cannot make the dates, we will be happy to put you in touch with our colleagues.  To take up this opportunity please email us at: pins.recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together

• Flexible working options, part-time and compressed hours.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing 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 Microsoft Office 10 and O365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

For full information see our Benefits information pack. 

Job contact :

• Name : Kay Sully
• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk