Job title: Principal Landscape Officer
Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
West Yorkshire Combined Authority is delivering a transformative Mass Transit scheme to connect communities, reduce congestion and support sustainable growth across the region. As a key partner, Leeds City Council is seeking a create and forward-thinking Landscape Officer to help shape the visual and functional identity of this major infrastructure initiative.
This role will be a cross-boundary resource for both Leeds City Council and Bradford Council to reflect Phase 1 of the Mass Transit system which will see routes from Leeds to Bradford and south Leeds to the city centre.
This role represents a unique opportunity for a Landscape Officer to help shape the design and integration of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit scheme as a transformative piece of regional infrastructure. You will contribute to the development of landscape and urban design strategies, provide advice on the integration of green infrastructure and public realm enhancements, and ensure high quality outcomes through planning, stakeholder engagement and statutory processes. This includes involvement in the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) process and representation of the organisation at public inquiry.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Landscape Officer, you will bring to the role:
- Detailed understanding of relevant specialism, legislation and practice.
- Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.
- Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
- Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross projects.
About the role
As a Principal Landscape Officer, you will play a key role in assessing and advising on the landscape and environmental design implications of the Mass Transit system. Your expertise will be essential in ensuring that landscape quality, ecological sensitivity and contextual factors are embedded throughout the planning, construction and operational phases of the scheme. You will contribute to shaping city-wide landscape and public realm policy, and provide guidance on green infrastructure, placemaking and sustainable design.
This is a unique opportunity to apply your design expertise within forward-thinking local authorities where your insights will directly influence how the region’s identity and built environment evolve through major infrastructure projects.
- Support the development of high-quality design solutions across all stages of the Mass Transit scheme.
- Contributing to statutory and regulatory processes, including the preparation of Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAO), and representing the organisation in formal proceedings such as public inquiries.
- Providing specialist guidance on landscape design integration throughout the planning, design, and construction stages, including the drafting of robust planning conditions and design codes.
- Reviewing design proposals, planning applications, and technical reports to ensure alignment with design quality standards and strategic objectives.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that the scheme reflects best practice in inclusive, sustainable, and place-responsive design.
The service is based in Merrion House in Leeds City Centre, but has adopted a flexible, hybrid working model. There is an expectation that some work will be undertaken in Bradford at Britannia House in the City Centre.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Descripition
Job Purpose:
To be responsible for a range of activities within the Strategic Planning Service, including the management of specific projects and technical work, to support the delivery of services to consistently high standards which meet Directorate objectives and demanding performance targets.
Responsibilities for Grade:
- To take the lead role on managing specific cases, projects, programme management or technical work which could include major and/or complex policy, local planning and implementation issues to ensure delivery of services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Best Council Plan and comply with Government Standards.
- To undertake and manage the delivery of specified elements of the Environment & Design Group and Best Council Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
- Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
- Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting Service Management Team.
- To carry out line management responsibilities and play a key role in the development of staff in the workplace, including training and mentoring or take lead responsibility for the delivery and development of specific major projects and programmes and to deputise for the Team Leader in this regard.
- Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice and with regard to implementing e-government objectives.
- To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways that support open, responsive and accountable government.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
- Undertake work in connection with major projects and initiatives including, income generation, Section 106 agreements and/or planning appeals and Development Inquiries (including being the Council’s expert witness at major public inquiries).
- To co-ordinate, project manage and monitor, the implementation of schemes in relation to planning agreements, obligations, undertakings and related community benefits.
- To liaise with partners and stakeholders in the evaluation and monitoring of specific capital and revenue schemes consistent with negotiated planning agreements, obligations, undertakings and related community benefits.
- To work closely with Development Management in monitoring and implementing planning agreements, obligations and undertakings as part of an integrated Departmental system.
- Represent the Council at public meetings, Panel, Boards, events and in other public and/or political forums.
- To lead and manage specific service improvement and customer service projects.
- Undertake liaison at local community forums, informing and involving Ward Members, local communities and other stakeholders in Development Plan preparation and project implementation.
- All other duties considered commensurate with the post.
Qualifications
A relevant qualification (e.g. Town Planning, or specialist degree relevant to the job) is essential.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
- Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.
- Ability to deliver projects and initiatives in a service or operational area relevant to the area of service delivery in the remit of the post.
- Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders
- Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
- Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
- Ability to coach and mentor staff within the specific project or technical field
Knowledge Required
- Detailed understanding of current UK planning policy, legislation and practice.
- Detailed understanding of relevant specialism, legislation and practice
- Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
- Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.
- Understanding of public sector issues.
Experience Required
- Experience of making effective contributions to internal and external meetings.
- Experience of taking forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.
- Experience of resolving conflict.
- Experience of negotiating solutions.
- Experience of developing productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
- Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross projects.
- Experience of managing competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- An understanding of service delivery issues.
- Experience of delivering services to meet customer needs.
- Achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
- Understanding of employees’ responsibility for health and safety.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Skills Required
- Ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.
- Ability to express concepts effectively in graphical form.
Knowledge Required
- Understanding of the legal frameworks of the town and country planning system
Experience Required
- Experience of developing and contributing to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
