Conservation Officer

Cheltenham Borough Council; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Holiday entitlement 26 days pro rata

Flexible working / work from home

Learning and development

Volunteer time off

Healthcare Cashback Plan

Cycle to work

Parking

Wellbeing

Job summary

C Cheltenham Borough Council is seeking a Conservation Officer to manage listed building consent applications, validate and inspect sites, and provide expert heritage guidance to applicants and colleagues.

You will present applications to Planning Committee, engage with developers, and represent the council at appeals, driving heritage solutions and safeguarding Cheltenham's historic assets. A degree in Building Conservation is essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Building Conservation or related discipline.
• Institute of Historic Building Conservation membership (desirable).
• Strong knowledge of architectural history, traditional building materials, and restoration methods for historic buildings.
• Understanding of listed building legislation, conservation policy, guidance and heritage management issues.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels with strong presentation abilities.
• Customer-focused, proactive and self-motivated with ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain clear records.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to understand scaled plans/drawings.
• Creative problem-solver with flexible approach and commitment to delivering high-quality service.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload of listed building consent applications and pre-applications, including validation, site inspections, negotiations, consultations and report preparation.
• Present applications to Planning Committee and provide heritage advice to council members and officers on planning matters affecting heritage assets.
• Represent the council at appeal hearings and public inquiries on heritage matters, and provide expert witness evidence when required.
• Act as a specialist consultant to development management colleagues on planning applications that may impact heritage assets.
• Advise architects, agents, professionals and the public on conservation areas, listed buildings and the planning process.
• Contribute to conservation projects including conservation area appraisals and planning policy documents.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong negotiation skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Understand scaled plans/drawings

Creative problem-solving

Work under pressure & meet deadlines

Attention to detail

Presentation skills

Education

Degree in Building Conservation or related discipline

Institute of Historic Building Conservation membership (desirable)

Job description

Are you passionate about protecting historic buildings and preserving your town's heritage? Cheltenham Borough Council has an exciting Conservation Officer opportunity!

Location: Cheltenham

Salary: 32,597 - 34,434 (pay award pending wef 1 April 2026)

Job Type: Full-time, permanent

Closing Date: 13 September 2026

Come and work for an award-winning organisation!

We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council. We are committed to making Cheltenham a better place to live and work, enabling communities and businesses to thrive whilst protecting what is good about our town.

We aim to be an employer of choice where everyone is treated fairly and feels valued and respected. We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding working environment that encourages our people to work together, provides opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve a healthy work/life balance.

Working at Cheltenham Borough Council means working as part of a committed, professional, and friendly team.

Conservation Officer - The Role:

You will manage a varied caseload of listed building consent applications, providing specialist heritage advice to colleagues, applicants, and stakeholders. Your day-to-day work will include validating applications, conducting site inspections, negotiating with developers and their agents, consulting with specialists, and preparing detailed reports. You will present applications to Planning Committee, represent the council at appeals, and advise the public on conservation matters. You will work proactively to identify heritage issues and develop practical solutions.

Conservation Officer - Key Responsibilities:

• - Manage your own caseload of listed building consent applications and pre-applications, including validation, site inspections, negotiations, consultations and report preparation
• - Present applications to Planning Committee and provide heritage advice to council members and officers on planning matters affecting heritage assets
• - Represent the council at appeal hearings and public inquiries on heritage matters, and provide expert witness evidence when required
• - Act as a specialist consultant to development management colleagues on planning applications that may impact heritage assets
• - Advise architects, agents, professionals and the public on conservation areas, listed buildings and the planning process
• - Contribute to conservation projects including conservation area appraisals and planning policy documents

Conservation Officer - You:

• - Degree in Building Conservation or closely related discipline
• - Professional membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (desirable)
• - Strong knowledge of architectural history, traditional building materials, and restoration methods for historic buildings
• - Thorough understanding of listed building legislation, conservation policy, guidance and current heritage management issues
• - Excellent communication skills at all levels including public, colleagues, members and professionals, with strong presentation abilities
• - Customer-focused, proactive and self-motivated with ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• - Strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain clear methodical records
• - Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to understand scaled plans and drawings
• - Creative problem-solver with flexible approach and commitment to delivering high-quality service

Benefits:

• - An excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• - A generous holiday entitlement of 26 days (pro rata) rising to 31 days (pro rata) after five years (excluding Bank Holidays)
• - A flexible and agile working environment. We aim to provide opportunities to work from home or elsewhere and offer flexibility in working hours
• - A comprehensive programme of learning and development
• - Two days (pro rata) paid time off for volunteering
• - Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes
• - Access to free counselling services
• - Upon successful completion of your probation period, you will then have access to our Healthcare Cashback Plan
• - A cycle to work scheme
• - Low-cost town centre parking
• - A commitment to employee wellbeing