Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) Case Officers

Job summary

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) Case Officers play a vital role in delivering some of the UK’s most complex and high‑profile national infrastructure projects, including offshore wind farms, airports, energy networks and power stations. Working within multi‑disciplinary teams, you will contribute directly to infrastructure that supports economic growth, energy security and the transition to net zero.

As an NSIP Case Officer, you will support Case Managers and Inspectors, collaborating closely with colleagues across planning administration, environmental services, legal, policy and technical teams. Together, you will help deliver robust examinations, evidence‑based recommendations and high‑quality outcomes for nationally significant developments.

This is an exciting time to join National Infrastructure, with major investment in renewable energy, regulatory reform and infrastructure modernisation. You will be at the forefront of reviewing planning processes, improving guidance and shaping new ways of working within a fast‑evolving regulatory environment. The role offers strong opportunities for career development, skills growth and progression within infrastructure, planning and the public sector.

Operating in a fast‑paced and high‑impact sector, our friendly and supportive team is committed to delivering excellent customer service, professional collaboration and meaningful outcomes for communities and stakeholders across the UK.

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

Be part of the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP)

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession – the largest profession in the Civil Service, with over 290,000 members. ODP professionals are the public face of government, delivering essential services to millions of people every day. As a member of this profession, you’ll have access to a wide range of development opportunities, a supportive community, and a clear framework to grow your career.

To learn more about the Operational Delivery Profession, visit Working in Operational Delivery , Civil Service Careers

Job description

The Case Officer role in National Infrastructure is varied, high-impact and central to the delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Working across multiple projects within multi-disciplinary teams, you will provide essential project and administrative support to deliver robust, fair and transparent examinations and high quality recommendations.

You will work closely with Case Managers, Inspectors and specialist colleagues to support infrastructure projects of national importance, operating in a dynamic and evolving regulatory environment.

Key Responsibilities

In this, role you will:

• Liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, applicants, statutory consultees, local authorities and senior officials, adapting your communication to different audiences and levels of seniority.

• Organise, attend and support meetings with potential applicants and stakeholders, producing accurate and robust written records for publication on our website.
• Analyse and review large volumes of detailed and technical information, assessing submissions against relevant legislation, policy and guidance.
• Manage and oversee examination submissions, ensuring timely processing, accurate descriptions and publication in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Respond to external queries and correspondence, providing clear, professional advice on the examination process and supporting excellent customer service standards.
• Support examination events and site inspections across the UK, assisting with planning, logistics, administration and on‑the‑day delivery.
• Review, maintain and improve internal processes and guidance, contributing to continuous improvement and new ways of working across National Infrastructure.
• Support public engagement, helping members of the public understand the examination process and how to participate effectively.
• Proof‑read and quality‑check lengthy and technical documentation, ensuring accuracy, clarity and consistency before publication.
• Draft professional correspondence, including letters and email responses, on behalf of the organisation.
• Attend hearings and site across the UK including overnight stays, up to 4 nights away (Monday to Friday), several times a year?

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, Part time at 20 hours or above. Flexible working hours policy available

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based in Bristol, 10 minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience of analysing and working with large volumes of complex written and numeric information.
• Ability and willingness to attend hearings and visit sites across the country including overnight stays, up to 4 nights away (Monday-Friday), several times a year.
• A high standard of written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work in a changeable working environment and adapt to changes in priorities.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office 365 and Excel.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and experience of consenting regimes similar to that under the Planning Act 2008 (for example, processing of planning applications and appeals).

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,735, Planning Inspectorate contributes £8,903 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year 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 Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• A Personal Statement (750 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert.
• A short statement (250 words max): against the lead criteria shown below. This allows you to outline your experience and will only be used if there are a large number of applications. The minimum standard must be reached for applications to proceed.

Experience of analysing and working with large volumes of complex written and numeric information.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour and strength questions

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: 18 – 22 May 2026

Interview Date: 01 – 05 June 2026

Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Future Matches

Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

ID and Documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Ryan Sedgman
• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitme…

Attachments

EVP(Great_Place_To_Work) Opens in new window (pdf, 534kB)