Principal Landscape Officer

Permanent
Full time 37 hours per week

Help Shape the Future of Devon's Landscapes

Do you want your work to make a lasting difference to the places people live, work and enjoy?

At Devon County Council, we're passionate about protecting and enhancing Devon's incredible landscapes while supporting sustainable growth and thriving communities. We're looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Principle Landscape Officer to join our friendly Environmental Sustainability team and help lead this important work.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll influence planning decisions, shape policy, develop environmental projects, and work alongside a wide range of partners to conserve and enhance Devon's distinctive landscapes and green infrastructure.

Whether you're advising on major infrastructure projects, helping to guide landscape policy, or supporting innovative nature-based solutions, you'll play a key role in ensuring Devon remains a special place for future generations.

What You'll Be Doing

As our Principal Landscape Officer, you will:

• Provide expert advice on landscape and green infrastructure issues across Devon.
• Help shape local planning policy, guidance and evidence that protects and enhances Devon's landscapes.
• Review planning applications and Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs), providing specialist recommendations.
• Work closely with planners, engineers, project managers and environmental partners to deliver positive environmental outcomes.
• Lead and support landscape, green infrastructure and environmental improvement projects.
• Develop strong partnerships with organisations including Devon's National Landscapes, the North Devon Biosphere and the Devon Local Nature Partnership.
• Champion Devon's landscape evidence base, including landscape character assessments.
• Identify and develop funding opportunities to support future projects and investment.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with a collaborative and positive approach.

You'll have:

• A degree (or higher qualification) in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered Membership of the Landscape Institute, or be working towards chartership.
• Significant experience in landscape planning, policy development, landscape assessment or related work.
• Strong knowledge of planning policy, landscape character assessment and landscape and visual impact assessment.
• Experience of working with local authorities, consultants, developers or environmental organisations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to explain complex issues clearly to a range of audiences.
• Experience using Microsoft 365 and GIS.

You'll thrive in this role if you're passionate about the environment, enjoy working collaboratively, and can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery.

What We Offer

In return, you'll benefit from:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Employee wellbeing and support programmes.
• A supportive and knowledgeable team environment.
• The opportunity to influence projects and policies that have a genuine impact across Devon.

Why Join Devon County Council?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that is committed to creating an outstanding and resilient environment. You'll work on some of the most important environmental and planning challenges facing Devon, while enjoying the flexibility, support and sense of purpose that come with working in local government.

Most importantly, you'll be helping to protect and enhance the landscapes that make Devon such an exceptional place to live, work and visit.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application through the Devon County Council recruitment portal.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Natural Environment Manager at josh.bennett@devon.gov.uk.

Devon County Council is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.

How to apply

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required.For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).