Urban Design Apprentice

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is passionate about providing high-quality services to our communities, residents and businesses. This means we must employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people. Situated within the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful district that boasts thriving market towns and many attractive villages, each with its own identity. We are an innovative and forward-thinking local authority whose residents are at the heart of our decision-making. At HDC we want to employ staff who embody our icare values (Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Enterprising), all of which support our ultimate purpose of putting our customers first.

Do you notice the spaces around you - how streets feel, how neighbourhoods connect, and how communities grow? Are you curious about how places are designed and want to play a part in shaping them? We have an exciting opportunity to join our Planning Service as an Urban Design Apprentice within our Strategic Development Urban Design Team. This is more than just a first step into a career - it’s a chance to help influence how Huntingdonshire evolves, contributing to the creation of sustainable, well-designed places that people are proud to call home. You’ll gain hands‑on experience, learn from experienced professionals and develop the skills needed to build a career in planning, urban design or the wider built environment - all while making a tangible difference.

As an Urban Design Apprentice, you’ll be part of a team working on some of the district’s most important growth and development opportunities. You’ll support the assessment and design of new developments, helping to ensure that growth is thoughtful, sustainable and creates high‑quality places for current and future communities. In this role, you will:

• work on a wide range of projects, gaining exposure to strategic development, urban design, conservation, landscape and ecology
• support the review of development proposals, helping to shape places that are attractive, functional and environmentally responsible
• assist in preparing maps, design materials, research and analysis that inform planning and design decisions
• take part in site visits, surveys and design studies, building your understanding of places on the ground
• help support community engagement and consultation activity, giving people a voice in shaping their local area
• respond to enquiries and contribute to project work, learning how planning policy, design principles and real-world decisions come together

This is a varied and rewarding role offering a unique opportunity to work at both a strategic and practical level, giving you real insight into how places are planned, designed and delivered.

You are curious, creative and motivated, with a genuine interest in planning, design or the built environment. You’ll bring:

• strong communication skills and confidence working with a wide range of people, from colleagues to members of the public
• good organisational skills and the ability to manage your time effectively
• a keen eye for detail, especially when working with information, data and visual materials
• confidence using IT tools such as Word and Excel, and an interest in mapping or design software
• a positive attitude, enthusiasm for learning and a desire to grow professionally

Most importantly, you’ll be passionate about playing a role in shaping the future of Huntingdonshire’s towns, villages and landscapes. An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. HDC does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.

For many of our roles, our hybrid work model enables employees to work remotely while allowing for in‑office collaboration opportunities across the district, with an expectation of being in the office at least two days a week. However, please note that some positions may require a more consistent presence in the office due to the nature of the work.

As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are seeking candidates who are looking for their next career opportunity and are supportive employers, enabling our staff to work in an environment that produces high standards of work in an employee‑led environment. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and along with our values we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work‑life balance.