Main Purpose of the Role
Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of something meaningful. It's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.
We currently have the following opportunity:
Landscape Architect - PKC12348
£44,223 - £47,170
Pullar House, Perth
Perth and Kinross Council is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and practical Landscape Architect to join our small, busy team Policy & Projects Team in the Community Greenspace (CG) Section of the Communities Service.
This full-time post is based in Perth, a vibrant small city and main gateway to the Scottish Highlands; and is a unique opportunity to work within some of the most stunning landscapes in the UK.
We work hard as an organisation to implement changes to tackle issues linked to climate change and biodiversity loss, and access to healthy green spaces for all.
As a team we are currently involved in delivering public-realm improvements, park and play area upgrades, countryside park master planning and management plan development, along with core path work and rural access projects such as route implementation and bridge installations.
The team is dedicated to delivering quality greenspace projects which meet community needs, are appropriate in character to their setting and of good value to the public purse
You will deliver and manage community greenspace projects as part of a team from early consultation stages through sketch design, to tender and procurement, contract administration and delivery on the ground, to completion and handover.
You will contribute to the effective and efficient running of the team, encouraging good morale and maintaining a positive working attitude amongst colleagues.
Participation in reviews of practices and procedures and assisting in the preparation and completion of Team Plans, Business Management and Improvement Plans and other appropriate policy documents will be essential.
You will take part in team briefings, project review meetings and presentations and will provide oral and written reports as necessary.
On occasion, you will be required to deputise for the Senior Greenspace Officer (Policy & Projects) in their absence.
Co-operation with Community Greenspace Communities staff for community consultations and with Community Greenspace Infrastructure staff to ensure projects are sustainably-designed and properly handed over for maintenance purposes is essential.
You will represent Community Greenspace at meetings with other services, outside bodies and community representatives and will be able to draft Committee Reports, Best Value Reviews, Business Cases and other necessary documents within agreed timescales.
You will have to respond in a timely manner to MSP, MP and Councillor queries and public service requests and complaints and provide specialist landscape advice on planning applications.
You will help ensure that the Councils Scheme of Administration, Financial Guidelines, the Services Safe Working Practices, Quality Manual and Procedures are implemented at all times.
Skills & Experience Required
The suitable applicant will be an experienced Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute who will be able to design, procure, implement and deliver a variety of projects which meet customer satisfaction levels within budget, fees and timescale.
You will be skilled in AutoCAD, and have a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
You will be able to identify and initiate projects and prepare briefs detailing scope of works and fee recharges and be able to prepare cost estimates and quotations and monitor and report on budgets to ensure allocated resources are used effectively, in line with Council procedures and accounting periods.
Having extensive site experience and a full understanding of relevant project documentation, you will be fully acquainted with CDM Regulations and be able to ensure all relevant Health and Safety standards and procedures are complied with.
Experience of multi-disciplinary and external partnership work with other agencies and communities would be invaluable and a good working knowledge of the relevant legislation and best practice from other statutory bodies such as SEPA and NatureScot would be very advantageous.
You must have a valid UK driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.
Working at Perth & Kinross Council
Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!
Here's what we can offer you:
* A generous annual leave package
* 7 public holidays
* Eligibility to join our pension scheme
* Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
* Flexi time
* Access to a range of benefits
We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.
For purposes of connection and collaboration with colleagues and with the community we serve, our full-time employees work on site for a minimum of 2 days per week with the arrangements for part time employees being agreed on a basis which will ensure that they benefit to an equivalent degree.
Our FAQs on hybrid working can be found here Hybrid working FAQs .
We are committed to being a more inclusive employer - to ensure we can consider any reasonable adjustments, please either contact the recruiting manager to discuss any individual circumstances, discuss at interview or, if you prefer, after any conditional offer is made.
Next Steps
We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Annabelle O’Connell, Community Greenspace Team Leader (Policy & Projects) at aoconnell@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.
Click “APPLY NOW”
External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer.
We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.
Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.
To comply with Baseline Personnel Security Standard, you will be required to complete a Disclosure Scotland form.
If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.
A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.