Job description
Sheffield City Council is committed to protecting the city's Heritage Assets, and in doing so we recognise their essential role in shaping Sheffield's unique character and supporting the creation of vibrant, distinctive places to live and work. Conservation and heritage remain central to the Council's vision for the city's future. By safeguarding historic buildings, landscapes, and cultural landmarks, the Council aims not only to preserve Sheffield's story but also to enhance the quality, identity, and attractiveness of neighbourhoods across the city.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Principal Conservation Officer to join our Development Management section. You will be one of two Conservation experts within the Design, Conservation and Trees Team, leading projects and providing specialist advice on all aspects of development affecting the historic environment.
To be considered for this role you should have several years' experience, at a senior level, of managing projects and providing advice on complex applications and appeals relating to listed buildings, conservations areas, registered parks and gardens and their settings. Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication skills are required, alongside an excellent working knowledge of the relevant legislation.
In Sheffield, people are at the heart of what we do. You will be part of a network of supportive colleagues in Development Management and the wider Planning Service, working within the framework of, and promoting the Council's corporate vision and values.
The Planning Service is located in the city centre, close to the award-winning Peace Gardens, Winter Garden and 'Heart of the City' regeneration project.
Other benefits include:
* Annual Leave (25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service)
* Automatic incremental salary progression within your grade each year
* Local Government pension scheme.
* Flexible working with at least 40% of your time based in the office with your team.
* Flexi scheme with the ability to have an additional day off per month.
Please contact Harshada Deshpande, Technical Manager in the Design, Conservation and Trees Team, on for an informal chat about the role.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under‑represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.
Full‑time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities including hybrid working, reduced hours, part‑time and job‑share options. Regular time in the office in Sheffield will be required.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our New job evaluation process to be introduced at Sheffield City Council
Job details
Job reference
REQ004050
Date posted
20/02/2026
Application closing date
22/03/2026
Location
Sheffield
Salary
Grade 9 £47,181 to £51,356
Package
Permanent
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Blank
Job category/type
Planning and Building Control