Title:  Environmental Specialist

About the role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. 

The Government has commissioned NESO to create the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) to help determine the most efficient locations for large new generation and storage infrastructure needed to support decarbonising the power system and achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is the first energy plan that will co-optimise across demand, generation and network to accelerate the drive towards decarbonisation. 

In this team, you’ll be able to contribute directly to the delivery of strategic energy plans that contribute to the UK achieving net zero and appropriately consider the cost to consumers, the impact on the environment and society, and sets the direction for billions of pounds of investment in GB energy infrastructure.  

We are seeking an Environmental Specialist that will be a proactive and key member of the Environment team, ensuring environmental considerations are integrated into the development of the SSEP to enable successful delivery of the plan. We are undertaking statutory environmental assessments, as well as ensuring environmental impact is integrated into the modelling and evaluation framework of the plan. We work collaboratively with other environment teams within the SEP directorate and are seeking an individual to develop ways of working to ensure continued improvement in our approach to alignment.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

Your energy, our future, together.

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.  

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Key accountabilities

• Leading on the environmental inputs to the appraisal process of the SSEP, ensuring environmental considerations are captured and influencing plan development.
• Building relationships with other environmental specialists within the organisation and establishing processes to ensure effective information sharing, aligned approach and agreed procedures to delivering environmental assessment and appraisal of strategic energy plans.
• Engaging with relevant stakeholders, both internal and external, to communicate SSEP outputs and ensure feedback is captured and actioned effectively.
• Providing support to the successful delivery of an SEA, HRA and MCZ assessment.   
• Horizon scanning for changes in environmental policy, development of other strategic plans, and best practice that could influence the development of the SSEP.

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Passionate about the environment and ensuring environmental impact is effectively captured as a key concern when considering the suitability of potential areas for energy infrastructure.
• Experience of undertaking environmental assessment and appraisal at a strategic plan level.
• Knowledgeable on statutory environmental assessments across Great Britain.
• Strong communicator with an ability to distil complex information to different audiences.
• Passionate about engaging with, and building strong relationships with, stakeholders. Ability to navigate differences of opinion to achieve the best outcome for SSEP.
• Proven ability to build high quality relationships and work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Keen interest in understanding the bigger picture and proactively finding solutions to complex problems to achieve desired outcomes.

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £51,000 - £61,000 per annum – dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

More information

This role closes on 21st April 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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