Landscape Technical Specialist
Job Introduction
We are currently recruiting for a Landscaping Specialist to join our team here at SCS Railways JV.
About the role:
The Landscaping Technical Specialist is responsible for ensuring landscape works are delivered to specification, environmental standards, and contractual requirements across the HS2 project.
The role provides independent quality assurance, technical inspection, and supervision of landscape installation and maintenance, including the management and monitoring of subcontractors such as Ground Control Ltd responsible for planting, habitat creation, and vegetation management.
The role ensures successful establishment of trees, shrubs, and ecological planting, supporting the environmental commitments of the HS2 programme.
Role Responsibility
Landscape Quality Assurance
- Inspect and monitor landscape works to ensure compliance with approved drawings, specifications, and environmental commitments.
- Ensure correct plant species, sizes, densities, and locations are installed.
- Inspect planting operations including:
- tree and shrub planting
- soil preparation
- mulching
- staking and guying systems
- Verify that works comply with relevant UK standards including:
- British Standards Institution guidance
- BS 4428 – Landscape operations
- BS 8545 – Tree establishment
- BS 5837 – Trees in relation to construction.
Subcontractor Management
Oversee landscape subcontractors delivering works on site.
This includes:
- Monitoring performance of subcontractors including Ground Control Ltd.
- Ensuring subcontractors comply with:
- HS2 environmental requirements
- site method statements
- risk assessments
- planting specifications.
- Undertaking site inspections and quality audits of subcontractor work.
- Identifying non-compliance issues and ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
- Supporting the coordination of planting programmes and maintenance schedules.
Landscape Establishment and Maintenance
Monitor the successful establishment of landscape planting.
Responsibilities include:
- overseeing watering regimes
- monitoring plant health
- supervising weed control and mulching
- reviewing pruning and formative shaping
- ensuring replacement of failed plants during the defects period.
The Ideal Candidate
- Experience in planting and maintenance
- Extensive Horticulture Knowledge
- Knowledge of construction techniques, sequencing and best practice.
- Ability to use initiative based on horticultural practical experience.
- Capable of working independently and proactively to progress works but also skilled at working collaboratively with other integrated team members and external stakeholders for the overall benefit of the project.
- Computer competence (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Document Control Systems, Auto CAD).
- Excellent communication skills and ability to adjust communication style to suite receiver.
- Relevant CSCS Card.
- Training in Health & Safety and Environmental management.
About the Company
The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services
The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.
You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join one of our networks for women, military or LGBT+ staff, and participate in cultural and social events with the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).
Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.
HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity. Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 1998) and will be reported to HS2.
It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House, and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader. We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities. We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.
Please see the disability confident commitments:
To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have:
- A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
- Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role
SCS Railways