Heritage & Conservation Officer
Salary
Annual
Heritage & Conservation Officer Location: Market Place, SK10 1EA Start Date: ASAP Contract Duration: 4+ Months Working Hours: Mon Fri, 09 00, 37 Hours per week Pay Rate: £ 31.49 per day Job Ref: (phone number removed) Responsibilities
- Manage a case load of consultations on complex and large-scale planning applications, appeals, and corporate projects.
- Deliver advice to the Development Management service, particularly regarding heritage matters.
- Support the development of planning policies and provide training to meet service needs.
- Offer guidance, professional advice, and support to junior staff within the team.
- Assist in the organisation and running of the Environmental Planning Team, including training events.
- Maintain the buildings at risk register and support the serving of urgent works notices.
- Review conservation areas and maintain the Local List.
- Support the Council s enforcement function concerning heritage matters.
- Prepare specialist advice on various complex proposals and make conservation and heritage-based recommendations on planning applications and other development projects.
- Provide specialist pre-application information and appropriate heritage advice to developers, landowners, and other stakeholders.
- Ensure the council fulfills its obligations under relevant planning acts for Conservation Areas.
- Contribute to the objectives of the Environmental Planning Team and participate in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Support administrative tasks that aid the function of the Environmental Planning Team.
- Attend and report at meetings, including Council Committees, Public Local Inquiries, and other external meetings.
- Prepare Written Representation statements and Hearing Statements for appeals and attend appeal site inspections as required.
- Provide advice, training, and guidance to the Conservation and Heritage Assistant regarding planning applications and other development proposals.
- Work outside normal hours as required to fulfill the duties of the post.
- Postgraduate qualification in conservation and heritage or equivalent.
- Commitment to continuing professional development.
- Membership of a relevant professional body (IHBC or similar).
- Experience of working in a local government planning department.
- Relevant degree level qualification or equivalent.
- Post-qualification experience of conservation and heritage-based work in a planning context.
- Experience of providing advice on complex planning applications or policy-based projects.
- Preparation and presentation of complex reports for various stakeholders.
- Experience of supporting staff development and handling appeals and public inquiries related to conservation and heritage.
- Specialist/Technical Knowledge relating to Conservation and heritage, legislation, and Government guidance.
- Understanding of the Council s structure, services, policies, processes, and procedures.
- Experience with MS Office, GIS, or equivalent graphic software packages.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
- Understanding of planning and historic building law and relevant statutory processes.
- Self-reliance, confidence, and ability to demonstrate innovation and initiative.
- Driving license and access to own vehicle with appropriate insurance(s) for business use.
- Developed communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
- Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to work under pressure.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex development applications.
- Ability to engage effectively with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
- Flexible approach to work, including supporting other services and working outside normal hours when required.
- Willingness and ability to travel throughout the borough.
- Strong advisory, guiding, persuasive, and negotiation skills.
- Good resilience and ability to handle challenging behavior professionally.