Location
Central London with hybrid working arrangements. Staff are linked to one of 25 offices across England and expected to attend their associated office at least one day per week. Travel expenses paid for work-related travel excluding travel between home and office.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£51,000 per annum

About the Role
Join Natural England and play a vital role in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. As the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and Nature regulator, Natural England provides evidence, expertise, and advice to recover Nature and create better places for people to live. The Principal Officer - Landscape Casework will provide specialist landscape planning advice on major infrastructure and development projects, ensuring Natural England’s statutory remit is upheld and environmental outcomes maximised.

The role involves reviewing and responding to technical landscape impact documents, advising Area Teams, liaising with external applicants on landscape impact assessments, attending site visits across England, and quality assuring and presenting evidence at hearings. You will provide expert advice on impacts to Protected Landscapes, manage high risk cases, quality assure commissioned landscape advice, and act as an expert witness at examinations and inquiries.

This position requires a flexible and adaptable approach as planning and environmental assessment systems evolve. You will work collaboratively across directorates and with external partners to improve landscape casework and support Nature recovery at scale and pace. The role also includes advising on seascape issues and driving engagement with landscape partnerships and key stakeholders.

Natural England supports flexible working patterns to promote work-life balance and wellbeing, alongside excellent career progression, training, and development opportunities. Benefits include generous leave allowances, Civil Service pension, discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work and childcare schemes, and access to sports and social clubs.

Natural England is committed to fairness, equality, and inclusion, celebrating diversity and supporting an inclusive culture through employee-led networks and a Diversity Action Plan.

Experience
Proven experience providing specialist technical advice on landscape impacts, particularly relating to Protected Landscapes and major infrastructure projects. Experience in reviewing and advising on Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA/SLVIA) and managing high risk, high opportunity cases. Experience acting as an expert witness at planning examinations, inquiries, or similar forums is highly desirable.

Experience working collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders to deliver environmental outcomes and improve processes.

About you
You will be adaptable and flexible to respond to evolving planning and environmental assessment systems. You have excellent judgement and prioritisation skills to focus on cases with the greatest risk to Protected Landscapes. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential for liaising with applicants, advising colleagues, and delivering evidence at hearings.

You are committed to partnership working and able to engage effectively with landscape partnerships and other key stakeholders. A proactive approach to identifying lessons learnt and opportunities for reform is important.

You share Natural England’s values of fairness, equality, and inclusion and contribute positively to an inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications
A relevant degree or professional qualification in landscape planning, environmental management, or a related discipline is desirable. Evidence of continuous professional development and specialist training in landscape impact assessment and planning is advantageous.