Historic Environment Officer (Conservation)

WINCHESTER CITY COUNCIL; Abbots Worthy; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the UK seeks a Historic Environment Officer to provide heritage advice and support preservation efforts across the Winchester district. The ideal candidate will manage planning applications related to historic building conservation and engage with the community to ensure high-quality design in new developments. Benefits include hybrid working, professional development support, and a Local Government pension scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid working pattern

Free parking

Paid Membership fees

Paid private healthcare

Local Government pension scheme

Wellbeing support programmes

Discounted bus travel

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing heritage sites and policies.
• Strong communication skills for working with stakeholders.
• Ability to negotiate for high-quality design.

Responsibilities

• Provide heritage advice for planning applications.
• Assist in reviewing conservation areas.
• Contribute to guidance for public and specialists.

Skills

Conservation expertise

Heritage consultation

Urban design

Project management

Community engagement

Education

Degree in conservation, heritage studies, or related field

Job description

As a Historic Environment Officer, you will:

• Provide heritage advice for pre‑applications, planning applications and appeals relating to new works to historic buildings and in historic contexts
• Provide specialist heritage input into enforcement investigations relating to listed buildings
• Assist in the review of conservation areas and preparation of appraisal documents
• Help to formulate Council policies for the historic environment
• Contribute to guidance and presentations about the historic environment for public and specialist audiences.
• Advise elected members, informally and through committee meetings and presentations
• Support and train planning officers in Heritage and Design matters to 'grow our own'

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident – A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people. For more details please go to .

Winchester City Council has an exciting opportunity within its Planning Department to join our specialist Historic Environment Team. We are seeking an ambitious Historic Environment Officer to play a vital role in the preservation and enhancement of the Winchester district's historic environment through a busy development management workload and pro‑active project work relating to historic assets and urban design matters. The successful candidate will work widely with different departments across the Council and will be a key player in strategic projects.

Winchester is a former capital of England, the cradle of the nation. An urban area with a 2000‑year history, a precious heritage that demands people of the highest calibre to care for it and to plan its future. Our district includes not only the cathedral city of Winchester, but also smaller towns and villages, beautiful countryside and a large part of the South Downs National Park. You will have the opportunity to use your expertise to shape and support ambitious sustainable development projects across the district.

The Historic Environment Team is a small but influential team within the Built Environment Service, made up of specialists in archaeology, historic buildings and urban design. We’re a supportive and highly collaborative team, which aspires to high standards throughout our work. We are committed to your professional development and growth, while maximising work/life balance.

Our ideal candidate would be an experienced conservation officer, heritage consultant, or town planner. What is most important to us is finding someone with the right fit, to work proactively and adaptably with us to negotiate and advocate for high quality design in new development. The right candidate will understand what it means to collaborate and engage effectively with a customer and our community stakeholders.

Benefits

• A hybrid working pattern, with up to 50% of your time working remotely
• Free parking across the district
• Essential car user allowance
• Paid Membership fees to your professional body
• Paid private healthcare (with optional upgrades)
• Local Government pension scheme, with 18% employer contributions
• Supportive workplace culture, wellbeing support programmes
• Discounted bus travel and public transport loans
• Volunteering opportunities