Job Profile: Landscape Officer

Location: National Park

Employer: National Park Authority

 

Job Responsibilities

Provision of advice across the Authority but mainly to planners (both Policy and Development Management) about the landscape and visual impact of development proposals within and around the designated landscape. Assist and advise the development of landscape-related planning policies.

Majority of time is spent doing:

Researching and understanding a site, its landscape context and identifying its sensitivities. Landscape has a broad definition so I could be considering how the proposal impacts upon things like patterns of drainage, habitat connectivity, views and soil carbon. So the job in that respect is very broad and varied. Writing up consultation responses, undertaking site visits, attending meetings and discussing applications with colleagues, planning case officers and developers. I sometimes attend public events and give evidence at planning hearings, appeals and public inquiries.

My time is mostly spent indoors, but not always glued to a desk, often in meetings and design workshops. I do get out and about to undertake site visits, this helps me to understand some of the potential impacts of proposals.

 

Qualifications needed

A degree is needed, although mine was not directly related to landscape, such as landscape architecture, but was a much broader environmental degree. This has provided me with a sound basis for the job, which means I’m able to understand a wide variety of topics which fall under ‘landscape’. Experience is needed of Protected Landscapes and working within the planning system.

Additional training:

There are a number of ways to specialise by qualifying to undertake landscape character assessments, or gain Chartership – become a Chartered Landscape Architect, an accreditation achieved through the Landscape Institute. With Chartership comes a responsibility to keep up with changing legislation and guidance, so attending workshops, seminars and online training is a key part of the role. Also, by working with specialist colleagues in Building Conservation, Urban Design, and Ecology, I’m always learning.

Skills needed:

Able to work alone, but also as part of a team and to deadlines. Curiosity and interest in understanding places and their history. Able to read and digest a lot of technical information quickly, ability to think strategically but also consider and pay attention to details. Be open-minded, able to challenge oneself and willing change your mind, but equally be able to consider many factors, form an opinion and be confident in defending it. Speaking in public is an important part of the job, and producing concise technical written advice that is easy for non-specialists to understand are both also important.

 

Advice to anyone looking at similar roles:

The job is varied and challenging. It is well suited to someone who is determined, enjoys problem solving and thinking creatively, is passionate about places, with a wide interest in landscape or the environment including; heritage, wildlife, natural processes, buildings, place-making etc.

My advice would be start small and build up experience in different aspects of landscape, it is a great way to discover new interests. I began at a charity providing advice about species and habitats. Protected Landscapes (PL) are hugely valuable organisations for their partnership working. Through different partners, PLs provided me with opportunities to experience and better understand a whole host of topics that relate to landscape; from woodland archaeology and survey techniques to conservation, characterisation, planning and geology and ultimately inspired me to shape a career in the landscape sector.

  

If you have any queries about this role or would like to ask a question of the job holder please contact CJS by email.