Job Introduction
This is a really exciting opportunity for an experienced Landscape Architect to join our Design Team and support the Capital Projects Service in delivering the Council’s construction, public realm, regeneration and environmental improvement programmes!
The successful candidate will independently lead and contribute to landscape-led and multidisciplinary projects from feasibility and design through procurement, construction, completion and operation. The role requires strong design ability, sound professional judgement, excellent communication and the capacity to manage multiple projects and competing demands.
Your new role
Sitting within the Housing, Neighbourhoods and Building Services directorate, you will report to the Landscape Architect Team Leader and support the Principal Architect in delivering the Council’s capital projects and professional design services. The Design Team is multidisciplinary and includes architects and landscape architects. The team works closely with building surveyors, quantity surveyors, engineers, construction inspectors, project managers and internal and external consultants to deliver project outcomes.
The team provides services across the Council and to external organisations. Clients and stakeholders may include Housing, Education, Planning, Highways, Parks, Regeneration, Culture, Leisure, Public Health and Property services, together with schools, academy trusts, NHS bodies, charities and neighbouring authorities. Projects may include schools, housing estates, parks, streets and public realm, civic and operational property, regeneration sites, heritage settings and externally commissioned work. You will balance design quality and environmental outcomes with statutory, financial, operational, political and community requirements.
Please see the full job profile attached at the bottom of this page for all details of what the role will involve!
Who is the person?
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Holds an undergraduate honours degree or postgraduate degree, or equivalent, in landscape architecture or a closely related discipline that provides the professional knowledge required for the role.
- Chartered Membership of the Landscape Institute is preferred but is not essential. Applicants who are not chartered must demonstrate extensive relevant professional experience and competence equivalent to undertaking the full duties of the role independently, with willingness to pursue chartership.
- Have at least three years of relevant professional experience and a record of independently delivering significant or medium-scale landscape, public realm, regeneration or environmental improvement projects.
- Demonstrate strong landscape design ability and the capacity to analyse a place, identify constraints and opportunities, develop creative options and communicate a coherent design response.
- Have expert knowledge of landscape planning, hard and soft landscape design, construction detailing, specification, procurement, contract administration, construction and aftercare.
- Have practical knowledge of planning and environmental requirements, including biodiversity net gain, sustainable drainage, green infrastructure, accessibility, trees, ecology, heritage and relevant health and safety duties.
- Have experience of working within and, where required, leading multidisciplinary professional teams and coordinating the input of clients, consultants, contractors and statutory bodies.
- Have experience of preparing tender information, assessing submissions, administering construction contracts, inspecting works, managing defects and protecting the client’s contractual position.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness and experience of project budgets, professional fees, cost planning, tender evaluation, valuations, change control, forecasting, risk management and value for money.
- Have excellent written, verbal, visual and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports and presentations, chair meetings, consult communities, negotiate and resolve disagreement.
- Be able to build trusted relationships with internal and external clients, understand their requirements, manage expectations and keep stakeholders informed throughout the project lifecycle.
- Be organised, resilient and comfortable managing multiple projects, deadlines and changing priorities while maintaining accuracy, professional standards and attention to detail.
- Be proficient in AutoCAD and relevant design, visualisation and presentation software, together with NBS or equivalent specification systems and Microsoft 365 applications.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
