Landscape Architect

About the job

Key information

• The role will be based at County Hall in Taunton and offers hybrid working arrangements with working from home and some flexibility in working hours
• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Requires ability to travel throughout Somerset.

What will I be doing?

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Designing, specifying and project managing the delivery of a wide range of landscape-based projects. These include education, sport & play, regeneration, transport and highways schemes.
• Preparing drawings and visuals – using KeyScape CAD and hand drawing techniques producing concept designs, masterplans, and detailed construction drawings
• Client & stakeholder collaboration – meeting clients, members and other stakeholder to understand project constraints and opportunities.
• Project management – Overseeing landscape construction and ensuring designs are implemented correctly, Managing budgets, timelines, and contractors
  Planning applications – submitting planning applications for projects including appropriate drawings, statement and reports.
• Compliance – ensuring all works are compliant with building regulations, CDM (principal designer role), government procurement regulations, planning and environmental standards.
• Sustainability and ecology – incorporating climate resilient design and innovation, flood prevention and biodiversity into project designs where possible to support the council’s aspirations.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

• Hold a relevant qualification in Landscape Architecture or equivalent
• Have proven experience of designing and delivering a wide range of external works projects
• High level of knowledge, understanding and experience of all aspects of landscape and green infrastructure
• Ability to work positively with a range of stakeholders and customers
• Experience with the UK planning application process.
• Good communication and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in IT packages, including KeyScape (or AutoCAD or similar) Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What is in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

DBS check

This role requires a criminal background check (DBS) via the Disclosure procedure.

Supporting documents and information

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Chris Winn, Service Manager – Grounds & Landscape Operations Tel: 01823 355874 chris.winn@somerset.gov.uk

If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Apply on the Somerset Council website

Apply now