Heritage & Conservation Officer
Location: Market Place, SK10 1EA
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 4+ Months
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week
Pay Rate: £ 31.49 per day
Job Ref: (phone number removed)
Responsibilities
Manage a case load of consultations on complex and large-scale planning applications, appeals, and corporate projects.
Deliver advice to the Development Management service, particularly regarding heritage matters.
Support the development of planning policies and provide training to meet service needs.
Offer guidance, professional advice, and support to junior staff within the team.
Assist in the organisation and running of the Environmental Planning Team, including training events.
Maintain the buildings at risk register and support the serving of urgent works notices.
Review conservation areas and maintain the Local List.
Support the Council’s enforcement function concerning heritage matters.
Prepare specialist advice on various complex proposals and make conservation and heritage-based recommendations on planning applications and other development projects.
Provide specialist pre-application information and appropriate heritage advice to developers, landowners, and other stakeholders.
Ensure the council fulfills its obligations under relevant planning acts for Conservation Areas.
Contribute to the objectives of the Environmental Planning Team and participate in multi-disciplinary teams.
Support administrative tasks that aid the function of the Environmental Planning Team.
Attend and report at meetings, including Council Committees, Public Local Inquiries, and other external meetings.
Prepare Written Representation statements and Hearing Statements for appeals and attend appeal site inspections as required.
Provide advice, training, and guidance to the Conservation and Heritage Assistant regarding planning applications and other development proposals.
Work outside normal hours as required to fulfill the duties of the post.
Person Specification
Postgraduate qualification in conservation and heritage or equivalent.
Commitment to continuing professional development.
Membership of a relevant professional body (IHBC or similar).
Experience of working in a local government planning department.
Relevant degree level qualification or equivalent.
Post-qualification experience of conservation and heritage-based work in a planning context.
Experience of providing advice on complex planning applications or policy-based projects.
Preparation and presentation of complex reports for various stakeholders.
Experience of supporting staff development and handling appeals and public inquiries related to conservation and heritage.
Specialist/Technical Knowledge relating to Conservation and heritage, legislation, and Government guidance.
Understanding of the Council’s structure, services, policies, processes, and procedures.
Experience with MS Office, GIS, or equivalent graphic software packages.
Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
Understanding of planning and historic building law and relevant statutory processes.
Self-reliance, confidence, and ability to demonstrate innovation and initiative.
Driving license and access to own vehicle with appropriate insurance(s) for business use.
Developed communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to work under pressure.
Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex development applications.
Ability to engage effectively with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
Flexible approach to work, including supporting other services and working outside normal hours when required.
Willingness and ability to travel throughout the borough.
Strong advisory, guiding, persuasive, and negotiation skills.
Good resilience and ability to handle challenging behavior professionally.
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