Heritage & Conservation Officer

Heritage & Conservation Officer

Location: Market Place, SK10 1EA
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 4+ Months
Working Hours: Mon Fri, 09 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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