Planning and Licensing Officer

Planning & Licensing Officer

Salary: Up to £32,000 per annum depending on experience

Location: Hamble, Southampton (hybrid working between home and office is normal within the team. Regular presence in the office is required to maintain team cohesion, and details will be agreed with the successful applicant.)

Full Time: 35 hours per week

The RYA offers a range of benefits including: a total annual leave package of 28 days (plus public holidays), a generous personal pension scheme, life insurance, access to discounts through Sodexo, employee health assistance programme, trained mental health first aiders.

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who has an interest in and passion for sustainable management of the marine environment.

The purpose of the role is to lead the RYA’s work in monitoring and responding to developments in the marine environment that could affect recreational boating facilities or activities. The role holder will advise RYA members, clubs and training centres on planning and wildlife licensing issues relating to legal liability, sustainable development, and management of marine and inland waters.

The job is based in RYA House, Hamble and involves travel to all parts of the UK to attend office and site meetings and to meet with local RYA volunteers. The post may also involve occasional travel within Europe. Hybrid working between home and office is normal within the team. Regular presence in the office is required to maintain team cohesion, and details will be agreed with the successful applicant.

You will need to have knowledge of UK planning legislation and practice, as well as knowledge of government policy and legislative frameworks relating to the marine and freshwater environment, species, and habitats, including marine licensing, wildlife consents, and other consenting processes. You will need to have excellent interpersonal skills with all levels of stakeholders, excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as being an effective advocate and negotiator whether dealing with volunteers, clubs, NGOs, or government agencies.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Respond to marine licence and other consent applications. Assess their significance and consistency with relevant policy and legislation, consulting with colleagues (in particular, the RYA’s legal team), external advisers, and local RYA volunteers to protect recreational boating interests.
• Manage and support the RYA’s national team of volunteers who comment on and assess regional environmental and planning issues across the UK.
• Give planning, environmental and conservation/ wildlife advice, both written and verbal, to affiliated organisations and, where necessary, represent their interests through all stages of planning and licensing processes.
• Maintain current, and develop new, planning, licensing and, where relevant, environmental and conservation/ wildlife guidance for clubs and training centres, ensuring content remains legally compliant, and maintain the relevant advice pages on the RYA website.

To Apply

Please review the full job description and send a completed application form and equality monitoring form to jobs@rya.org.uk.

The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity

The RYA as an equal opportunity, celebrates and welcomes diversity in all its forms and believes that a diverse workforce boosts innovation, productivity and creativity.

We are dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and strive to be an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves. We would particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse candidates who are currently underrepresented at the RYA.