• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX – Hybrid working
• Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

At SCC (Suffolk County Council), every role is a chance to create positive change. We’re not just a local authority, we’re a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Landscape Officer, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you’re passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it’s time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

The Landscape Team provide a key service within SCC, and in support of wider environmental activities throughout the county. Working alongside a wide range of colleagues, we ensure that Suffolk’s landscape is protected and enhanced in line with local, and national legislation, as well as climate change, nature recovery and community focussed objectives.

This role presents a great opportunity to work with a range of organisations to ensure that the special qualities of Suffolk’s landscape are conserved and enhanced for future generations.

You will:

• be collaborating with colleagues in Ecology, Development Control, and Highways (to name just a few), to ensure that new developments and infrastructure schemes have proper regard to maintaining and enhancing the landscape that makes Suffolk so special
• On a daily basis, might read and respond to reports and planning applications, visit proposed development sites, and liaise with colleagues within SCC and other Local Authorities throughout Suffolk
• together with colleagues, support the championing of the landscapes of Suffolk and as important building blocks of Suffolk’s growth and health and well-being
• respond to consultations by the council’s planning team, to ensure that potential harm to landscape features is avoided or minimised, and that proposals are accompanied by appropriate landscape schemes as well as aftercare and maintenance programmes
• play a key role in supporting the delivery of landscape conservation projects in conjunction with SCC colleagues and external partner organisations.

You will need:

• a degree or equivalent in landscape architecture or a related environmental discipline and either holds a membership with a professional body or is willing to work towards this

• up to date knowledge of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, including landscape character assessment, to interpret submitted assessments and plans

• a willingness to learn as the work will increase in variety and complexity and include, for example, work on planning policy or Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

We look forward to welcoming the right person, who can enrich our team through their own experiences and perspectives, who is keen to continue learning, who shares the council’s WeASPIRE values and our team’s passion to achieve the best outcomes for Suffolk’s natural environment and residents.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Landscape Team provide a key service within SCC, and in support of wider environmental activities throughout the county. Working alongside a wide range of colleagues, we ensure that Suffolk’s landscape is protected and enhanced in line with local, and national legislation, as well as climate change, nature recovery and community focussed objectives.

This role presents a great opportunity to work with a range of organisations to ensure that the special qualities of Suffolk’s landscape are conserved and enhanced for future generations.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Isolde Cutting, Senior Landscape Officer, or Nick Dickson, Natural Environment Manager, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling:

Isolde on 01473 260822 or emailing isolde.cutting@suffolk.gov.uk

or Nick on 01473 264628 or emailing nick.dickson@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Tell us about your experience providing landscape advice within the planning system. How have you ensured that landscape impacts are appropriately mitigated in planning applications?

2. Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines (e.g., ecology, archaeology, planning). How did you ensure effective communication and a positive outcome?

3. Tell us about a time when you had to manage multiple projects or tasks with competing deadlines. How did you prioritise your work and ensure quality outcomes?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 26 October 2025.

Interview date: Week commencing 3 November 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).