Designations Officer

Historic Environment Scotland; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Leave entitlements

Subscriptions reimbursement

Education & professional development

Study leave

Flexible working hours

Free entry to properties

Free entry to related heritage sites

Job summary

Historic Environment Scotland is seeking an enthusiastic Designations Officer to join the Designations Service. You will assess the significance of listed buildings for designation, conducting research, fieldwork, consultation and reporting.

The role also covers monuments, gardens, battlegrounds and historic marine assets. The post involves preparing records and maps, coordinating research, and contributing to appeals, with opportunities to work with external partners.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Scotland's historic buildings and architectural history.
• Advanced research and writing skills with the ability to write concisely.
• Experience in architecture, history, archaeology or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Assess the significance of buildings for designation through research, fieldwork, consultation and reporting.
• Prepare designations records/reports and maps to an agreed format.
• Coordinate background research and administration for appeals and site visits.

Skills

Historic environment expertise

Research & writing

Architectural history

Communication with stakeholders

Teamwork

Education

SCQF Level 10 qualification

Job description

Starting salary: £34,721

Contract type: Fixed Term

Grade: 3

Location: Longmore House (with hybrid working )

Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 21 hours per week

Interviews: To be held in person at Longmore House on Week Commencing 5 October 2026

We are looking for an enthusiastic historic environment professional to join our Designations Service.

As Designations Officer you will primarily undertake work to assess the significance of listed buildings for designation. Work will include research, fieldwork, consultation and reporting as well as contributing to high profile cases and appeals. Other work will involve assessing the significance of monuments, gardens, battlefields and historic marine assets for designation.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description here for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme - 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

Designations casework

• Primarily undertaking work to assess the significance of buildings for designation. Work will include research, fieldwork, consultation and reporting. Other work will involve assessing the significance of monuments, gardens, battlefields and historic marine assets for designation.
• Preparing designations records/reports and designations maps to an agreed format and standard.
• Researching and collating architectural, historical, landscapes and archaeological information.
• Working with maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Background research and administration for the preparation of appeals, briefings, site visits, communication with the public etc.

Teamwork

• You will work on multiple cases to set deadlines and as such, working as part of a team will be vital to delivering objectives to the required standard.

Leadership and organisation

• Deputising for Senior Designations Officers as required.
• Supporting the work of the Heritage Directorate more widely, particularly through the provision of advice to owners of designated assets, planning authorities, developers and colleagues on the designation and the historic environment.
• Co-ordinating and providing general advice on the designation of the historic environment as necessary.
• Other appropriate duties that may be allocated when required by line manager

Key requirements of the role:

Essential:

• Strong working knowledge of Scotland's historic buildings and architectural history.
• Good working knowledge of Historic Environment legislation and policy, and its application within the planning system
• Advanced research and writing skills with an ability to write concisely
• Expertise in architecture, history, archaeology or related discipline
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work with a range of external partners and stakeholders
• Demonstrative ability to manage resources successfully, work effectively in a team and proven ability to work to set deadlines
• Experience of working in the historic environment sector
• SCQF Level 10 (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) qualification in a relevant subject matter or equivalent relevant experience

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description here.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at [e-mail] or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.