Assistant Landscape Consultant

Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council (ECC) providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities, and other public bodies. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver its role in sustainable development. The purpose of the Assistant Landscape Consultant is to support the effective delivery of landscape services to our clients across Essex and England.

The Assistant Landscape Consultant will support the landscape team on landscape matters, including assisting with evaluation and delivery of landscape assessments and LVIA, landscape strategies, design guides and codes, landscape design and management; advising on design review, preparing design briefs; and undertaking supervised specialist tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.

The role requires a specialist with graduate level technical knowledge and understanding of landscape issues and relevant legislation, policy and standards, and guidance, the ability to communicate to a range of audiences, and an awareness of good client service.

Accountabilities

• Accountable for supporting the effective delivery of a range of landscape services under supervision including: assisting with a case load of straight forward and minor development management and consent consultations at all stages of the planning/consent process (pre-application, application and post consent); assisting with the evaluation and carrying out landscape visual assessments and LVIAs on schemes of limited scale and complexity; supporting the preparation of design briefs for sites of limited scope and complexity; assisting with design reviews on schemes of small scale and complexity; supporting development of landscape strategies, design guides and codes, planting plans and hard landscaping schemes, for straightforward sites; and completing supervised tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.
• Responsible for supporting effective working relationships with clients, helping to secure feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and assisting in the maintenance of a client-focused culture across Place Services.
• Responsible for enhancing the recognition and reputation of Place Services by supporting promotional events and activities, and by engaging with internal and external networks under supervision.
• Responsible for supporting others in the review and development of legislation, plans, policy and standards, and assisting with the collection, presentation and preservation of evidence, and preparation of casework documents (including for planning appeals and enforcement) to recognised standards.
• Responsible for supporting others to develop and deliver training activities and events and helping to prepare learning materials.
• Responsible for supporting changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the technical delivery of landscape services.
• Contributes to tendering processes for low-value opportunities; management of low-value projects and contracts; and supervision of contractors and volunteers, against approved budgets, specifications and indicators.
• Contributes to the execution of ECC and client’s responsibilities and duties of care in relation design and improvement of the public ream and the wider environment through the provision of supervised technical support and assistance.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) in a relevant subject, or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, working towards Licentiate Membership of, relevant professional body e.g. Landscape Institute
• Graduate level technical and subject matter knowledge, including demonstrable awareness of: relevant development management processes; of planning policy, legislation, and enforcement, standards and guidance; development briefs and design review, landscape visual assessments and LVIA, design guides and codes, and related office and site-based practices and procedures, including graphic presentation.
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including working at pace, prioritising work across a range of projects and activities, meeting deadlines and successfully delivering outcomes, with supervision and support when necessary. Demonstrable understanding of systems and processes for effective project management, with experience desirable, and ability to support project delivery by undertaking supervised tasks.
• Demonstrable awareness of wellbeing and H&S, with ability to undertake simple risk assessments, and to implement safe working practices.
• Able to communicate appropriately with different audiences, including through the preparation, with supervision, of clear, concise and factual written technical advice, documents and reports for straightforward casework and projects, and at public consultations.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships, with demonstrable awareness of good client service.
• Ability to use a range of common software packages, including all Microsoft applications, and, under supervision, to use relevant specialist software, such as AutoCad, GIS, and/or design software such as Photoshop Adobe Creative Suite and Sketchup, to implement data management and presentation of a range evidence and data, and to carry out straightforward research, analysis and interpretation.

To read more about our business area, please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service.  The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate.  This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.  For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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