• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Saxon House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0UH and Hybrid working
• Salary: £25,583 – £28,142 per annum (pro rata), Actual salary based on hours £15,111 – £16,885 per annum
• Hours: 22.2 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

The National Landscape team is hosted at Suffolk County Council where we’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Project Assistant and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

The role of Countryside Project Assistant is one that will make a difference to the natural beauty of two of England’s finest landscapes, the Dedham Vale and the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscapes. If you think you can deliver environmental projects, support volunteers and bring new ideas to a small team then this could be the role for you.

Your role and responsibilities

Your role will be to support other team members in running tasks to conserve and enhance the natural environment and improve access.

You will:

• have the opportunity to support volunteers undertaking conservation activity and looking after and improving access to nationally designated landscapes in Suffolk and Essex.
• be encouraged to seek small grants to support your activity, undertake simple surveys and interact with the public to promote the work of the National Landscape team.

One day you might be working with volunteers on a project to enhance wildlife habitat and on another you might be encouraging members of the public about the importance of conservation and landscape matters; the possibilities are endless.

You will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the environment of two of the finest landscapes in England, within a team of dedicated professionals who have a real passion for the environment.

You will need

• A passion for making a difference to the environment in two of England’s 34 National Landscapes.
• An ability to work with and contribute to a small but dedicated team.
• A good work ethic and the desire to take responsibility, learn new skills and contribute ideas to the National Landscape team.
• Level 2 qualifications or equivalent knowledge in countryside management.
• To be confident to speak to members of the public on environmental issues and a willingness to further improve environmental knowledge.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word).  We hope the successful candidate will bring a fresh perspective to the team and be willing to learn new skills even if you do not have all the technical skills yet. We consider that sharing our values and your motivation will be key in the success of this role.

The team

The National Landscape team exists to deliver the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty in the Dedham Vale and Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscapes, two areas that have been designated by the Government for their outstanding landscapes.

The team is proud of its achievements to delivery wildlife and access projects and is made up of highly motivated and dedicated individuals. We operate out of our own office in Ipswich, but with much of our work being undertaken in the field, in some of the east of England’s finest landscapes.

This post will be involved in the work of all the team members, who work closely together to deliver the common aim of conserving and enhancing natural beauty. Team members are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills to deliver the best for the environment.

The team is often dispersed across the two National Landscapes but comes together for a weekly catch up and a monthly team day where we all work from the same location. We practice hybrid working.

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 Simon Amstutz, (pronounced si-mon am-stutz), (he/him) for a casual conversation. You can contact him by calling 07971 909649 or emailing simon.amstutz@suffolkandessex-nl.org.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 a time you helped plan and deliver a practical conservation or public access task. What was your role, how did you prepare tools/equipment, and what was the outcome?

2. Give an example of an event you helped develop and deliver (e.g., guided walk, community activity). How did you ensure smooth setup, strong attendance, and positive participant feedback?

3. Working in a small, multi‑disciplinary team, when have you taken initiative to keep a project or site task moving without close supervision? What did you decide and why?

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.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412.

You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you’re invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 29 March 2026.

Interview date: 16 April 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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).