Salary: £42,839 - £45,091
Hours per week: 37 hours
Interview date: Week commencing Monday 16 March 2026
Conservation and Design Team - Shaping the Future of Wiltshire
Our Development Management Service helps deliver sustainable, well-designed development that supports our communities, economy, and natural environment. ‑designed development that supports our communities, economy, and natural environment.
As a Senior Conservation Officer, you will help protect and enhance the built environment by providing specialist professional input to a range of conservation projects. You will work closely with local communities and key partners, including Historic England, the National Amenity Societies, and town and parish councils, to guide and influence development that respects Wiltshire's heritage.
This is a frontline role where you will determine listed building applications, act as a key consultee on major and complex proposals, and provide input to appeals and preapplication enquiries. You will use your professional judgement to balance competing considerations, apply legislation and policy, and give clear and confident advice. You will also support the team's development by mentoring less-experienced colleagues.
To succeed, you will hold a degree‑level recognised conservation qualification or a degree‑level recognised planning qualification. You will have strong technical knowledge and experience working with planning legislation and appeals. You will be an effective communicator who can explain complex issues with clarity, negotiate positive outcomes, and manage a varied workload while maintaining high standards. A full or associate accredited membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) or the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) is desirable.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly and collaborative place to work, with a strong "One Council" ethos. We offer flexible working, hybrid arrangements, modern offices, generous pension benefits and meaningful career development.
Explore more benefits here
New to Wiltshire?
Wiltshire is a beautiful county, home to vibrant communities, historic towns and world‑famous heritage sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury. The rich heritage, beautiful landscapes and vibrant communities make it a fantastic place to live and work. We border Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset. Almost half of our county is labelled as a Natural Landscape.
Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply as well as Our Identity.
The council is committed to creating an environment of positive working relationships where everyone feels engaged, supported and able to thrive. Our Identity is a framework which sets out how we are all expected to lead, work and act to deliver our services. We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment of any kind. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect which is underpinned by our vision and Our Identity framework.
For more details, contact James Weddell, Planning Manager (Conservation and Design), at
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While we welcome applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship, we are not able to issue a defined certificate of sponsorship due to limitations in our sponsorship capacity.
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Application process
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