About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced individual to join the Heritage, Landscape and Trees team, as one of our heritage conservation specialists within the Development Management service at Maidstone Borough Council.
We are looking for someone who can work effectively with partners and customers and who enjoys collaborating and negotiating on new development proposals. Your varied workload will include dealing with your own caseload of planning applications, advising and providing guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas relating to impacts and effects of new development, as well as offering advice relating to Urban Design and advising on repair and maintenance issues. As Principal Conservation Officer you will also be responsible for the production of Conservation Area appraisals and management plans and contribute to Design Codes, local planning policy and corporate projects.
This is a full-time position on a permanent contract, working 37 hours a week Monday to Friday on a hybrid basis. We would also consider applications for part-time working.
About Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.
We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
Maidstone is situated in the heart of Kent and is the county town. The urban centre has a strong commercial and retail base with good transport links but is set in a generally rural area, which includes the Kent Downs and the Kent Low Weald AONBs. The borough is fortunate to benefit from a diverse and valued heritage with 41 Conservation Areas, over 2000 Listed Buildings, 28 Scheduled Monuments and 15 historic parks and gardens. In recent years Maidstone has experienced unprecedented growth and we are in a great position to shape this growth with a genuine commitment to respecting the character and heritage of the borough and achieving high quality design.
At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.
About You
As Principal Conservation Officer, you will be a qualified heritage conservationist, with a Masters degree (or equivalent) in Historic Building Conservation, Architectural Conservation, Urban Design or a related discipline, and have an established professional membership of IHBC, RIBA or RTPI.
You will be able to demonstrate extensive experience of specialist work in the historic environment, and a full understanding of the local authority and UK planning context. You will have worked effectively with stakeholders to develop heritage guidance and/or Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans. You have excellent communication skills, and be competent in preparing and presenting expert evidence at Committee meetings, Court hearings and/or public inquiries.
A full UK driving licence is essential, with the ability to travel across the borough to attend sites as required.
Selection Process
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview. As part of the interview process, you will be required to give a short presentation to the panel, using powerpoint slides.
Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
Contact and Additional Information
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Anna Stevens, Landscapes Team Leader, on AnnaStevens@maidstone.gov.uk
Job Description and Person Specification: https://docs.maidstone.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/424422/Principal-Conservation-Officer-JDPS-MBC-Oct-2025-ASRE.pdf
Interview Date: w/c 24th November 2025
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