Landscape Architect

Nature Play Solutions creates play spaces where people of all ages and abilities love to play. Our work is focused on the design and creation of high-quality play opportunities in a nature setting. We are busy and looking for an experienced Landscape Architect to join our team to design and plan nature-based play spaces and surrounding landscapes for schools, childcare centers, public parks, and private clients integrating social safety and aesthetic considerations to support high quality outdoor play and children’s well-being.

The role carries out various tasks as listed below:

• Meet with clients, educators, and stakeholders to understand project objectives, site needs, child‑development goals, risk profile, and budget.
• Provide advice on design options, materials, planting, and staging, and document a clear project brief and functional requirements.
• Prepare concept designs for nature‑based play environments, including overall layout, landform, structures, planting, and circulation.
• Develop detailed plans and documentation that coordinate play equipment, landscape elements, and site infrastructure to achieve safe, engaging, and durable spaces.
• Investigate and analyze site conditions (topography, soils, vegetation, drainage, climate, existing built elements and context).
• Use site findings to recommend land use, layout, planting palettes, and surface treatments that support nature‑based play and access.
• Prepare site plans, planting plans, hardscape layouts, and working drawings suitable for construction.
• Draft technical specifications and assist with cost estimates, budgets, and (where required) tender documentation for landscape and play works.
• Coordinate designs with internal build teams and relevant external consultants (for example, engineers, planners, etc.).
• Participate in design reviews and liaise with councils or authorities to address planning, compliance, and approvals.
• Review shop drawings, material samples, and construction information to confirm alignment with design intent and specifications.
• Conduct site visits during and after construction to observe progress, check compliance with drawings, and contribute to post‑completion reviews. 
• Incorporate ecological principles (water management, habitat creation, appropriate planting, sustainable materials) into every design.
• Design play spaces that encourage exploration and sensory engagement while meeting relevant safety standards and guidelines for children.

Qualification and Experience Required

Relevant bachelor’s degree plus at least 1-year relevant experience

Skills Required

• Strong skills in site analysis, concept development, and detailed landscape design for play‑focused, child‑oriented environments, including planting and hardscape layouts.
• Proficiency in preparing clear, accurate drawings and details using design and drafting software and hand‑sketching, and in interpreting site and environmental data to inform land‑use and layout.
• Ability to balance functional, safety, aesthetic, ecological, and budget considerations, and to solve practical design issues arising from construction constraints and site conditions.
• Effective written and verbal communication and teamwork skills, coordinating with internal build teams, external consultants, and clients/educators, and clearly explaining design ideas and responses.
• Strong time‑management, attention to detail, and professional conduct, including accurate documentation, quality control, ongoing learning, and alignment with company values of reliability, supportiveness, curiosity, and quality.