Stratford-on-Avon District Council: Conservation Officer

Full time (37 hrs per week), permanent. Hybrid working.

Team/Department: Design, Landscape & Conservation.

Location: Elizabeth House, Stratford-upon-Avon and Remote Working.

Salary £39,862 – £42,839 (Grade G).

About Us

Based in the heart of Warwickshire, the beautiful district of Stratford-on-Avon is one of the most scenic and historical regions in the UK. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s headquarters are located in the heart of William Shakespeare’s hometown. In the District, you will find thriving market towns, home to over 135,000 residents and a tourist destination for millions of visitors each year, from across the globe. We are proud to provide public services to residents, businesses and visitors across this magnificent region, making it a great place to live, work and visit. At the Council, our people are our superpower and by choosing to bring your talents to our organisation, you will be joining a great team where everyone feels that they truly belong, full of dedicated people all working with passion and purpose, across a dynamic portfolio of work providing high-quality services.

Benefits

• A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangements with the flexibility to work from home for up to 60% of your hours (dependent upon the role).
• Flexi-time scheme for a better work-life balance.
• Health Cash Plan Scheme for medical and dental expenses.
• Eye test voucher scheme.
• Everyone Active Gym Membership discount.
• Training and Development opportunities.
• Payment of one professional subscription fee.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to secure your future.
• Access to free Will writing services.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes e.g. Cycle to Work etc.
• Free town centre parking.

What To Expect In The Role

This new position will join the existing team of Conservation Officers, Urban Designers, and Forestry and Landscape Officers within the Development Delivery Department of the Council, providing expert conservation and heritage advice to support the delivery of high-quality and sympathetic development, from pre-application to post-application stages. Bringing your technical knowledge and skills, you will work with the Planning Applications, Policy, and Enforcement teams to inform decision making across the Council’s built environment, comprising over 3,300 listed buildings and 75 Conservation Areas. You will play an active role in negotiations on heritage impact for development proposals at all scales, including major applications and proposed works to listed buildings. You will support colleagues on key conservation projects, such as revising the District’s Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan documents. You will also be instrumental in supporting our Enforcement Team, providing expert knowledge to deliver the continued protection of the District’s heritage assets.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Provide specialist conservation and heritage advice across the Council’s Development service, including Planning Applications, Policy, and Enforcement.
• Lead negotiations on heritage impact for planning and listed building applications.
• Act as Case Officer for listed building applications without associated planning applications.
• Support colleagues in the production of Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan documents.
• Advise Enforcement Officers on harm associated with unauthorised works to listed buildings.
• Attend meetings, including Planning Committee to provide specialist advice regarding conservation and heritage matters.
• Provide both written and oral expert evidence on behalf of the Local Planning Authority for planning appeals or prosecutions.

What You’ll Need

• Degree or Post Graduate qualification in Historic Environment/ Building/ Architectural Conservation, or relevant subject.
• Full Member Accredited (or working towards) of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, or chartership of other appropriate professional body.
• Good knowledge and experience of current conservation legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Experience of effective stakeholder engagement and/or providing detailed advice to members, officers, developers, and the public on built heritage matters.
• Effective communication skills, including writing detailed comments on planning applications relating to built heritage.

Right To Work

Applicants must have existing Right to Work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Equal Opportunity

The Council is committed to equality of opportunity and aims to create a welcoming, inclusive workplace where we are all able to bring our whole selves to work and perform at our best.