Heritage and Conservation Officer

Cheshire East; Macclesfield; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Macclesfield is looking for a Heritage and Conservation Officer to provide advisory services on the historic environment. The successful candidate will produce assessments, work on planning applications, and offer advice on conservation issues. Applicants should possess a degree in conservation or heritage, along with development management experience. The role offers enhanced leave, flexible working patterns, and a supportive environment for passionate individuals in heritage conservation.

Benefits

Enhanced annual leave

Purchase of annual leave

Flexible working pattern

Salary sacrifice green car scheme

White goods salary sacrifice scheme

Enhanced public pension

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Passion for built heritage and the historic environment is crucial.
• Degree in conservation or heritage required.
• Development management experience needed from any sector.
• Understanding of assessment techniques for heritage and conservation is essential.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills are necessary.
• Flexible work approach is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide built heritage advisory services to the Council.
• Produce assessments and recommendations for planning applications.
• Advise on building conservation issues.
• Update the Council's Local List.
• Support preparation of the Council's Local Plan.

Skills

Passion for built heritage and the historic environment

Commitment to teamwork

Great communication skills

Understanding of heritage and conservation assessment techniques

Education

Degree level qualification within Conservation or Heritage

Job description

At Cheshire East we have a mission to improve and protect the varied and high‑quality environments of the borough and an exciting opportunity has opened up to work with us as a Heritage and Conservation Officer. So if you're passionate about the historic environment, we want to hear from you.

This role is within our supportive and high performing Environmental Planning Team, a multi‑disciplinary team of professionals within the Planning Department, providing specialist advice on landscape architecture, design, arboriculture, ecology and heritage.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Heritage and Conservation Officers provide a built heritage advisory service to Cheshire East Council on all aspects of the historic environment. We produce assessments and recommendations on planning and listed building consent applications, and we advise the Council, applicants and members of the public on building conservation issues. The role provides the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects including:

• Advising on planning and listed building applications
• Maintaining and updating the Council's Local List
• Reviewing Conservation Areas
• Supporting preparation of the Council's Local Plan
• Advising on conservation and heritage matters across a variety of corporate projects

Cheshire East is one of the busiest Planning Authorities in the country and we have a broadly mixed portfolio of work. Accordingly, with no two applications or projects the same, the role covers a very diverse range of heritage and conservation issues at multiple scales. We work flexibly, on a hybrid model, based around two days in the office every week and to find out more about our essential and desirable criteria for the role, please view the 'in this job you will need' section within the attached JD/PS document.

ABOUT YOU

You will have:

• Passion for built heritage and the historic environment
• Degree level qualification within Conservation or Heritage
• Development Management experience from the public or private sector
• Understanding of a range of heritage and conservation assessment techniques
• Commitment to teamwork and great communication skills
• Flexible approach to work

We're looking for people who are excited about the built environment and the role heritage plays within it; people who can deliver excellent customer care and who want to help us shape the environment of Cheshire East and bring our heritage story to life. The ability to travel throughout Cheshire East and a full UK driving licence are required.

This job is offered on a full‑time (5 days per week) basis. If you would like to be part of our team and want to contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate and are willing to work as part of a team then we would like to hear from you.

In return, this is what we offer:

• Enhanced annual leave – Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service
• Purchase of annual leave – Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro‑rata for part‑time staff)
• Flexible working pattern – Enjoy a 37‑hour standard full‑time work week with the added perks of flexi‑time and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible. Your work‑life balance just got a whole lot better
• Salary sacrifice green car scheme – Drive green and save green! Lease a brand‑new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme. There’s no credit checks, no deposits, just significant savings and exclusive offers on a three‑year lease
• White goods salary sacrifice scheme – Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost of big‑ticket purchases like appliances, computers, and tech gadgets directly from your salary
• Enhanced public pension – Secure your future with our career average pension, where contributions are built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme – Save up to 25‑39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment through Income Tax and National Insurance savings. Get fit and save money!
• Employee assistance programme – Access a completely free and confidential assistance service to help manage, reduce, and overcome life’s challenges, both at work and in your personal life
• Discounted gym membership – Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure, including:
  • Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities
  • Off‑Peak Racket Sports
  • Athletics Tracks
  • Sauna/Steam/Spa

Join us and experience a workplace that truly values and supports you!

To find out more about our rewards and benefits package, please click here.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact Tom Evans / David Hallam via email: [e-mail] / [e-mail]

Please be aware that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.