Conservation and Urban Design Officer

This is a great opportunity to join an ambitious team of conservation, landscape, urban design, and sustainability specialists delivering innovative approaches to the built environment alongside transformational growth. In an area steeped in history, including over 3,000 listed buildings and 42 Conservation Areas, you’ll have the chance to contribute towards preserving and enhancing the area by ensuring that development proposals conserve heritage assets appropriately and by ensuring outstanding design in new developments.

East Herts is experiencing significant growth with a range of strategic sites being developed, including a new 10,000 home settlement within the emerging Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, and we have a wide range of heritage asset types leading to plenty of interesting casework. This means your enthusiasm, expertise, creativity, and vision will not only impact the aesthetics of East Herts, but your knowledge will promote developments that lead to a more sustainable and inclusive society.

We are looking for an exceptional candidate to make a positive contribution to the team. Whether you are just starting in a heritage career or if you have relevant experience and would be interested in the higher grades available in this role and can contribute positively to the work and culture of a growing and progressive team, then we want to hear from you.

The role allows for an Assistant Conservation and Urban Design Officer at Grade 6, a Conservation and Urban Design Officer at Grade 7, or a Senior Conservation and Urban Design Officer at Grade 8, and the ability to move through the grades as you progress in your career. The successful candidate will be appointed in the post at a position relevant to their qualifications and level of experience.

In this role, you will assist in all matters relating to the conservation of the historic environment. You will be based at our offices in Hertford, with the option for home working up to 50% of working hours. We are looking for someone who will work alongside other planning professionals in delivering and maintaining high-quality environments within the district towns and countryside.

Working as part of a team, you will be providing expert advice on all aspects of heritage, including advising on listed building consents and advising on design matters. There will also be an opportunity to get involved in a range of proactive conservation and urban design work, including Conservation Area Appraisals, the Local List of Historic Buildings, the Local List of Historic Parks and Gardens, updating our Heritage at Risk Register, updating our guidance, and opportunities to contribute towards policy, masterplans, and design codes.

About You: We are looking for enthusiastic, hard‑working individuals who are keen to learn and share our aims and ambitions. Good customer skills, being able to communicate effectively (written and verbal), and efficient time management are essential skills for this role. In return, we offer the opportunity to work on a varied and interesting portfolio of work, working as part of a friendly and experienced team that will support you to develop your skills and progress your career. In particular, the Council will actively support the professional development of the post holder towards Full Membership of the IHBC or a similar professional body. East Herts also offers a great working environment, flexible/home working options, and many other benefits.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Hold a graduate degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, History, Planning, or other demonstrably relevant degree, and/or a masters degree in Conservation or similar, depending on the intended grade.
• Membership of the IHBC at a suitable level for the intended grade, or demonstrable eligibility for a suitable level of membership and a willingness to achieve this status.
• Awareness or experience of conservation theory, policy, and guidance.
• Experience of working within a customer-focused environment.
• Be able to demonstrate experience of similar heritage work.
• Ability to clearly articulate design issues and use graphical and design skills to communicate ideas and advice.
• Ability to deliver work programmes to agreed timescales.
• Understanding or experience of achieving excellent contemporary design within historic environments.
• Awareness of sustainable development and integration of renewable energy measures.
• Awareness of the planning system, including planning policy and development management.
• A full, valid driving licence.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Ciaran MacCullagh, Team Leader Design and Conservation. Contact details are available via the apply button. Closing date: 28 February 2026.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing diversity and maintaining a firm commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. We believe that creating inclusive environments leads to stronger collaboration and better outcomes in our work.