Landscape Scientist

Salary
Graduate: £19,000 to £25,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £35,000+

Main Employers

• Public sector organisations 
• Landscape design and management companies
• NGOs and voluntary organisations
• Construction industry

Job Profile
Landscape scientists are specialists in landscape architecture, investigating geology, wildlife and natural features. They relate their environmental training, research and experience to the solution of practical landscape problems, providing both traditional and innovative input to landscape designers and planners. They are involved at all stages of a brief, including scoping, surveying, assessing, designing habitat solutions, moving protected species and managing contracts for habitat construction.

Roles and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Supervising restoration projects for degraded or contaminated land
• Carrying out environmental assessments of development proposals
• Undertaking ecological and habitat surveys
• Advising on planting and maintenance of a site
• Drawing up wildlife management plans, including long term solutions for their protection, and creation and monitoring of habitats
• Analysing soil
• Providing evidence at public enquiries

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Biology; Botany; Conservation; Ecology; Geomorphology; Hydrology; Soil Science

Related work experience is very useful and may be paid or voluntary.

Career Development
Around half of all landscape scientists work in small private practices that specialise in certain types of landscapes. Some work for organisations that are involved in environmental concerns as well as in education. It is also possible to work abroad, especially in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

Promotion to a senior or management job role is possible, although many start their own business or go into partnership in private practice. Salaries in the public and private sector are broadly similar. Higher salaries can be achieved by those who take on broader corporate management responsibilities. 

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