Assistant Landscape Officer

Job Title: Assistant Landscape Officer
Starting Salary: £31,537 progressing to £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time) - Pay award pending
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage - Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Growth & Environment

About the team

This is an exciting opportunity to begin a career in Landscape Architecture and Planning and to make a real difference to sustainable growth throughout the county. Crucially you will be helping for ensure new development in Hertfordshire fully considers the Landscape Design and Visual Impact as a fundamental part of the sustainable environment.

As part of HCC’s commitment to sustainable growth and the climate change agenda, the Landscape team helps to develop new concepts and ideas to drive innovation in Landscape Design. The Landscape team supports Local Planning Authorities in Hertfordshire through the provision of timely, high-quality advice on planning proposals as a consultee.

As an Assistant Landscape Officer, you will provide informed consultation advice on the Landscape and Visual Impact of proposed development, Placemaking aspects and Soft Landscaping proposals of planning applications, fulfilling the LEADS Teams responsibilities to the County Council and District Councils.

For the right candidate this is an opportunity to be part of the wider multi-disciplinary LEADS team, addressing planning holistically across Landscape, Ecology, Archaeology and Design Sustainability, and exploring innovative and creative ways to approach wider priorities, such as climate change, place-making and sustainability to promote high-quality places for people to live.

This is a unique opportunity to have a real impact on the Landscape and Visual Environment in Hertfordshire, ensuring that existing and future communities will have attractive spaces to enjoy.

About the role

You will be assisting the Landscape Team providing high-quality information and advice to the County Council and Hertfordshire Local Planning Authorities and Developers. The role involves ensuring that Landscape Design and Visual Impact are key considerations when applications for planning permission are considered, and appropriate protection, enhancement and mitigation are properly undertaken during Plan Making, Master planning, Assessment, Detailed Design and Construction.

The work involves the interpretation and assessment of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments, Arboricultural Impact Reports, Landscape Masterplans and Planting Plans. You would be a person who thrives in an information rich environment combining and eye for detail with an ability to prioritise and make critical assessments of Landscape Design, with support by senior members of staff. You will enjoy and have examples of tackling problems in a methodical manner using your own initiative but will also be able to showcase your ability to work positively within a team. The work requires a degree of flexibility and pragmatism in dealing with multiple planning authorities and a wide range of planning and development scenarios. The post would suit a well organised and solution focused individual.

You will have a basic understanding of current Landscape Planning legislation and initiatives and be committed to ensuring that the benefits and importance of Landscape Design and Visual Impact form part of Hertfordshire’s Planning and Placemaking. The results of your advice will feed into creating an attractive and sustainable Hertfordshire.

Wider work of the Landscape Team for the benefit of our communities includes speaking at planning and public engagement events, co-operation with the SUDS Team in creating innovative sustainable solutions such as multifunctional SUDS features, working closely with Ecologists contributing to sustainable habitats and nature recovery.

Within the wider LEADS team, you will explore ways to bridge nature and culture, and wider considerations of their role in policy, public value and communities.

About you

We are looking for you to hold an undergraduate and/or master’s degree in a Landscape, architectural or urban design related disciplines and will be able to demonstrate an basic understanding of Landscape Design, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments, Green and Blue Infrastructure, Construction Design.

Basic knowledge of the planning system in relation to Landscape is a priority, whilst knowledge of wider planning matters is desirable. Evidence of personal development such as a specialism will be beneficial but is not essential. In all cases we are seeking candidates that have an enthusiasm and knowledge of Landscape Design and Assessment. You will have a proven ability to communicate well with a variety of audiences verbally and in writing and be able to demonstrate effective time management skills.

You must also have a full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle to be able to conduct site visits

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 8. Please locate the job profile here:

Job profiles: Technical services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact [INPUT HIRING MANAGER] for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: TBC

In addition to your salary, you will also receive an excellent benefits package including:

• Market leading pension scheme with immediate eligibility.
• An employee support scheme providing discounts on all the essentials such as shopping, health and leisure vouchers.
• Support and welfare groups, with regular welfare sessions available to all staff
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

Click on this link for the full list of benefits: Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.