Senior Environmental Design Officer

Job Description

Senior Environmental Design Officer

Policy and Strategy Service | Environmental Design Team

Lyndhurst – New forest

£23.59 to £25.26 per hour

We work flexibly, and an element of home working can be accommodated, but there will be at least 2 ‘office’ days to include site visits.  Due to the nature of the projects, site visits can often be required more frequently in a reactive nature as required.

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Environmental Design Officer to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality landscape and environmental design across the district.

This is a unique opportunity to influence major residential developments, shape strategic housing allocations, and lead environmental improvement projects that enhance public open spaces and natural green infrastructure. Working within the Policy and Strategy Service, you will provide expert landscape and design advice on planning applications, development briefs, and planning policy documents, ensuring that high standards of environmental quality are achieved and maintained.

You will negotiate confidently with developers, collaborate closely with planning and open spaces colleagues, and represent the Council as a professional expert where required, including at appeals and public inquiries. From pre-application discussions through to on-site implementation, your expertise will help secure sustainable, well-designed places that serve communities now and into the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice on landscape and environmental design matters within the planning process
• Prepare development briefs and supplementary planning guidance
• Lead and deliver environmental improvement and habitat mitigation projects
• Manage contracts, oversee implementation, and administer project budgets
• Contribute to strategic housing negotiations to secure high-quality design outcomes
• Present reports to elected members and engage with community stakeholders
• Deputise for the Environmental Design Team Leader when required

About You

You will be a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute with a degree or diploma in Landscape Design and demonstrable professional experience, ideally within local government. You will bring:

• Proven experience in major residential development
• Strong knowledge of sustainable drainage and open space standards
• Practical expertise in hard and soft landscape implementation
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills

To find out more information please contact Lily at Lilye@4recruitmentservices.com

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. We are an equal opportunity agency.