Conservation Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Hackney (PA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited seeks a specialist conservation and urban design expert to support high-quality development and heritage preservation for a local authority. The role focuses on progressing planning applications, managing conservation projects, policy development, and regeneration initiatives, ensuring compliance with planning legislation and best practice.

You will work with planning teams, developers, stakeholders and the community to secure sound design outcomes, mentor junior staff,

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture, Town Planning, Urban Design, Building Conservation, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Assess and progress planning applications, conservation areas, and urban design matters.
• Lead on conservation and design projects from inception to implementation.
• Provide guidance to planning teams, developers, and stakeholders on conservation/design matters.
• Negotiate high-quality design, heritage, and sustainability outcomes with applicants.
• Contribute to planning policy development and regeneration initiatives.
• Prepare technical reports, policy documents, and appeal statements.
• Represent the Council at appeals, hearings, inquiries, and public forums as required.
• Mentor junior staff and support knowledge sharing across the service.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Architecture, Town Planning, Urban Design, Building Conservation, or related discipline

Tools

VuCity

Job description

Hackney, United Kingdom | Posted on 15/06/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide specialist conservation and urban design expertise that supports high-quality development and the preservation of the historic environment. The role is responsible for progressing planning applications, conservation and design projects, policy development, and regeneration initiatives, ensuring compliance with planning legislation, policy, and best practice.

The postholder will work closely with planning teams, developers, stakeholders, and the wider community to secure high-quality design outcomes, protect heritage assets, and contribute to sustainable growth across the borough.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and provide specialist advice on planning applications, listed buildings, conservation areas, urban design, and heritage matters.
• Lead on conservation and design projects, studies, and initiatives from inception through to implementation.
• Provide expert guidance to Development Management teams, developers, applicants, councillors, and stakeholders on conservation and design matters.
• Negotiate with applicants and developers to secure high-quality design, heritage, and sustainability outcomes.
• Contribute to planning policy development and support the integration of conservation and urban design principles into planning decisions.
• Prepare technical reports, policy documents, consultation responses, and appeal statements.
• Represent the Council at planning appeals, hearings, inquiries, committees, and other public forums, including acting as an expert witness where required.
• Support the management and operation of the Design Review Panel and other design quality initiatives.
• Liaise with internal departments, statutory consultees, community groups, and external organisations on conservation and urban design matters.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues and contribute to the development of technical knowledge across the service.
• Monitor changes in legislation, policy, and best practice and help implement service improvements.
• Manage project workloads effectively to meet service objectives, deadlines, and performance targets.

Requirements

• Degree in Architecture, Town Planning, Urban Design, Building Conservation, or a related discipline.
• Eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body (RIBA, RTPI, IHBC, or equivalent).
• Minimum two years' experience in planning, conservation, architecture, urban design, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy, conservation principles, urban design, architectural history, and sustainability.
• Experience assessing complex planning applications and negotiating high-quality design outcomes.
• Ability to analyse technical drawings, plans, heritage statements, and design documents.
• Excellent written communication, report-writing, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage projects independently and prioritise competing workloads.
• Proficiency in relevant IT systems and planning-related software.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience representing an organisation at planning appeals, public inquiries, or hearings.
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior staff.
• Knowledge of VuCity or similar urban modelling software.
• Experience contributing to planning policy development, regeneration projects, or conservation area management.