Landscape Officer

Herefordshire Council; Hereford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Senior Landscape Officer to ensure the preservation of landscape character. The role involves conducting site visits, providing recommendations with biodiversity considerations, and collaborating on environmental strategies. Ideal candidates should have strong knowledge of planning policy and landscape advice. A competitive salary and flexible working options are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Career progression opportunities

Annual Leave of 31 days plus bank holidays

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience providing landscape advice.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory issues and current legislation.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines across multiple streams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site visits to assess new development impacts.
• Provide clear reports and recommendations.
• Support enforcement team in investigations.

Skills

Knowledge of landscape appraisal

Understanding of planning policy

Ability to work under initiative

Site survey skills

Job description

Overview

Herefordshire Council are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Senior Landscape Officer to join our Natural Environment Team. If you have a passion for landscape character, visual amenity and design this is the role for you. Read the full advert to understand how you could play a key role in shaping a sustainable and greener future for the Herefordshire community. The Senior Landscape Officer role involves ensuring the preservation of the different landscape characters across the county. The role is rewarding and challenging through a diverse workload and benefits from being part of an experienced and professional team. Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly, with idyllic countryside in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales.

What will you be doing?

The Senior Landscape Officer will: conduct site visits to assess the impact of new development on landscape character and visual amenity, and assess required mitigation linked with biodiversity net gain and green-blue infrastructure; provide clear and concise reports and recommendations in line with national guidance, planning policy and legislation; give landscape advice on strategic planning policy, land allocations, neighbourhood plans; support the enforcement team in landscape-related investigations; work with other teams to implement the Green Blue Infrastructure Strategy, Herefordshire Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy, and the developing Local Nature Recovery Strategy; be part of the Natural Environment team comprising Ecology, Landscape, Trees and Public Open Space and work closely with colleagues in the Built and Historic Environment team.

As a Senior Landscape Officer you will have

• An understanding of the role of a landscape officer in a local planning authority and demonstrable experience of providing landscape advice on landscape appraisal, evaluation, surveys design and implementation techniques.
• Strong knowledge of planning policy, regulatory issues and current legislation in regard to landscape and related natural environment issues.
• Provision of landscape advice that would apply to the council's ambition to address the declared climate and ecological emergencies.
• The ability to work under your own initiative as well as within a team, often to tight deadlines and on multiple work streams.
• Ability to undertake site surveys, sometimes on rough terrain and with a driving licence to travel throughout the county.

Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales. The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west. Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working and are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, a cross-border collaboration with funding to invest in the region. The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan in four areas: People, Place, Growth and Transformation.

Safeguarding and equality

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to equality and inclusion, including the Disability Confident scheme, Armed Forces Covenant, and support for Herefordshire care leavers.

Benefits and salary

A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

• Salary range of £31,067 - £35,235
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays; option to purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Perks: access to various retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cash back and discounts