Building Conservation Officer

WMJobs; Hereford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Hereford is seeking a Building Conservation Officer to join their Built Heritage Team. The role focuses on providing specialist advice on planning applications involving historic buildings and conservation areas. Candidates should have a strong knowledge of relevant regulations and the ability to work under pressure. The council offers career progression, flexible working options, and a supportive working environment. This position is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the preservation of Herefordshire's valuable heritage.

Benefits

Annual Leave: 31 days plus bank holidays

Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Payment of professional membership fees

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of historic buildings.
• Knowledge of regulatory issues and current legislation regarding listed buildings.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice on planning applications related to historic buildings.
• Conduct site visits and prepare reports on listed building consent.
• Support investigations on unauthorized works to listed buildings.

Skills

Knowledge of historic buildings

Understanding of planning policy

Ability to work under tight deadlines

Job description

About The Role

Job Title: Building Conservation Officer

Hours: 37

Salary: HC6 £28,142 to £32,061 per annum

Location: Plough Lane, Hereford

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 9 January 2026

The Role

Herefordshire Council are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Building Conservation Officer to join our Built Heritage Team. If you have a passion for listed buildings and conservation areas this is the role for you, as there are nearly 6000 listed buildings and 64 conservation areas within Herefordshire, with Hereford City being one of 5 Areas of Archaeological Importance in the Country. Read the full advert to understand how you could play a key role in shaping a sustainable and greener future for the Herefordshire community.

What will you be doing?

To work within a Team of Building Conservation Officers to provide specialist advice in Historic Buildings and the wider historic environment to both internal and external customers which will be in respect of planning applications, pre‑application advice, assessment of curtilage listed properties and relevant enforcement enquiries. The Building Conservation Officer role will include carrying out site visits in respect of providing comments on listed building consent applications and planning applications. This is then followed up by providing clear and concise reports and decisions in line with national guidance, planning policy and legislation. You will also support the enforcement team in relation to their investigations in respect of unauthorised works to listed buildings. You will work closely with colleagues in Development Management, Strategic Planning and Enforcement teams, to address the council’s work on projects and projects which may arise in the other market towns including targeting Buildings at Risk.

About You

• An understanding of the role of a building conservation officer in a local planning authority and ideally demonstrable experience and/or knowledge of historic buildings their architecture, history and repair.
• Strong knowledge of planning policy, regulatory issues and current legislation in regard to works to listed buildings and Conservation Areas.
• The ability to work under your own initiative as well as within a team, often to tight deadlines and on multiple work streams.

We Offer

• Salary range of £28,142 to £32,061 dependent on experience
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Why Choose Us?

Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales. The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west. Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working. We are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, which is a cross border collaboration between Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Shropshire who are collectively working to secure funding to invest in the region.

The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan, with four main areas;

• People: We will enable residents to realise their potential, to be healthy and to be part of great communities who support each other. We want all children to have the best start in life.
• Place: We will protect and enhance our environment and ensure that Herefordshire is a great place to live. We will support the right housing in the right place, we will support access to green spaces and we will do everything we can to recover the health of our rivers.
• Growth: We will create the conditions to deliver sustainable growth across the county; attracting inward investment, building business confidence, creating jobs, enabling housing development along with providing the right infrastructure.
• Transformation: We will be an efficient council that embraces best practice, delivers innovation through technology and demonstrates value for money.

Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

How To Apply

To apply for a position, please upload an up‑to‑date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Debra Lewis at [e-mail] or 01432 260775. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox – check your spam/junk folder too. Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!