Landscape Officer

Position: Landscape Officer
Location: Midhurst, with travel throughout the South Downs National Park and to other Authority offices.
Closing Date: 8 February 2026
Interview Date: 19 February 2026
Salary: £42,530 to £46,860
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of post: Permanent

The South Downs National Park is the newest National Park in the UK and was officially created in 2010. The South Downs is the most populous National Park, with 113,000 living and working within the boundaries, with an additional 2 million people living within 5km of the Park.

The South Downs National Park Authority is responsible for keeping the South Downs a special place and is one of the largest Planning Authorities in the country, with an award-winning landscape-led Local Plan. The South Downs is a very diverse landscape with 18 distinct landscape character types, four towns and a large variety of villages, many of which have conservation areas. We work as a single authority with our partners to deliver the purposes and duties of the National Park.

The landscape and development of the Park is at the centre of all we do, and we are looking for a driven Landscape Officer to provide specialist landscape advice on planning applications being determined by the National Park Authority, alongside advice in the development of planning policy relating to landscape and to work in partnership on projects which have an impact and influence on the landscape of the National Park.

You would join a dedicated and friendly team of specialists in Built Heritage and Design who work proactively with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver the Planning Service.

Do you think you meet the person specification and can add value to this role? If so, we would like to hear from you.

To apply: Please apply via the button shown to upload your CV and complete our application, referring to the person specification.

SDNPA is an inclusive organisation, and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, faith and religion, disability and age.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants.

In all circumstances, the SDNPA appoints on merit, based on evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post. Further information on our dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on our website.

SDNPA Enhanced Benefits

• Flexible working – (this is available for the majority of our roles. However, some positions may require on-site presence and/or specific hours due to business needs)
• Local government pension scheme
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Heat Scheme (capped interest-free green home improvement loan, available on a first-come, first-served basis)
• Healthcare – includes cash plan, counselling and wellbeing discounts
• Access to Health and Wellbeing portal and webinars
• 27 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays
• Professional development
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events/activities, which help deliver the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty