Planning Case Officer

Deputy Planning Case Officer – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Salary: £35,950 – £38,825 per annum
Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Darlington or Salford
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working or job share
Job Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Vacancies: 1
Closing Date: 23 November 2026 at 11:55 pm
Reference Number: 487898
Visa Sponsorship: Not available. DESNZ cannot offer visa sponsorship for this recruitment campaign.

About the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is working towards making the UK a clean energy superpower, delivering clean electricity by 2030 and supporting the country’s transition to net zero.

The department works to promote clean energy, improve energy efficiency, keep energy bills affordable and support the development of new green industries.

This is an opportunity to join a team contributing to nationally significant energy infrastructure projects while developing your career in the Civil Service.

Job Description

DESNZ is recruiting a Deputy Planning Case Officer to join its Energy Infrastructure Planning Delivery team.

The team processes planning applications submitted by the energy sector, helping nationally significant energy infrastructure projects progress through the planning and consent process.

This is an entry-level position, and successful applicants who are eligible and based in England will be supported to undertake a planning apprenticeship.

You will work within either the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning delivery team or the Networks planning team.

The Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning team handles applications for Development Consent Orders under the Planning Act 2008, including projects involving offshore wind farms, solar farms and other electricity-generating stations.

The Networks planning team assesses applications for overhead electricity lines and necessary wayleaves under the Electricity Act 1989.

There may also be opportunities to work on applications relating to the decommissioning of offshore renewable electricity installations under the Energy Act 2004.

Your role will involve supporting the progression of planning applications, assessing relevant policies and helping ensure that recommendations and decisions are clear, robust and legally acceptable.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the progression and assessment of energy infrastructure planning applications.
• Review applications against relevant planning, energy and environmental policies.
• Identify important issues that may affect planning decisions.
• Help prepare clear, accurate and robust recommendations and advice.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver casework within statutory deadlines.
• Support projects to remain organised and on schedule.
• Communicate technical information clearly to different audiences.

Essential Requirements

Candidates should demonstrate:

• An interest in energy and planning policy, with the ability to develop a good understanding quickly.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify important issues relevant to decision-making.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to keep projects on track.
• Confidence working independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills, particularly the ability to explain technical information clearly and concisely.

Desirable:

• Experience using project management skills to meet deadlines.

Apprenticeship and Development Opportunities

This is an entry-level opportunity with support for eligible England-based successful applicants to undertake a planning apprenticeship.

DESNZ also provides extensive learning and professional development opportunities, encouraging employees to develop their skills and progress in their careers.

Salary and Benefits

The successful candidate will receive:

• Annual salary of £35,950 – £38,825.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• At least 25 days of annual leave, increasing by one day each year up to 30 days.
• Flexible working arrangements, including job sharing and compressed hours.
• Opportunities for homeworking in line with departmental arrangements.
• Professional learning and development opportunities.
• Access to retail, travel and lifestyle discounts.

Hybrid Working: The department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy. Employees are currently expected to attend their office or other non-home working location for 40–60% of the accounting period.

Full homeworking is not normally offered.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.

Although DESNZ holds a visa sponsorship licence, the department has confirmed that this particular recruitment campaign does not qualify for sponsorship.

Applicants requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship should take this restriction into account before applying.

Selection Process

The recruitment process will use the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and assess behaviours, strengths, ability and experience.

Application Stage

Candidates must submit:

• A CV.
• A personal statement of no more than 750 words.

The personal statement must address two questions:

1. Why have you applied for this role? (Maximum 250 words).
2. What key questions should DESNZ consider when deciding whether and how to consent to an electricity line application? (Maximum 500 words).

For the second question, applicants should identify relevant questions using only the information provided in the advert. They are not required to provide answers to those questions.

Where application numbers are high, the initial sift may focus on the first question about motivation for applying.

Online Tests

After submitting the first stage of the application, candidates will be invited to complete:

• Civil Service Verbal Test.
• Civil Service Numerical Test.

Candidates are encouraged to complete the tests as soon as possible, ideally within 24–48 hours of receiving the invitation.

The online test deadline is 23 November 2026 at 11:55 pm. Failure to complete the tests before the deadline will result in withdrawal of the application.

Important Test Maintenance Notice: Online tests will be unavailable from midnight on Saturday 14 November until 6:00 am on Monday 16 November 2026.

Interview Stage

Candidates who pass the sift may be invited to an assessment or interview.

Interviews will include behaviour-based and strength-based questions.

The following Civil Service behaviours will be assessed:

• Making Effective Decisions.
• Communicating and Influencing.
• Delivering at Pace.

Sift and interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

Eligibility and Security Checks

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, qualifying Commonwealth nationals and other groups meeting the Civil Service nationality requirements.

Successful candidates must undergo a basic criminal record check and Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

The department also conducts an Internal Fraud Database check as part of pre-employment screening.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible candidates should submit their CV and personal statement through the official Civil Service Jobs website.

Read the full job advert and application guidance carefully before applying.

Closing Date: Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Job Reference: 487898