At a Glance
- Tasks: Preserve and enhance Winchester's historic environment through planning and project work.
- Company: Join Winchester City Council's dynamic Historic Environment Team.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, free parking, healthcare, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving a 2000-year heritage while shaping sustainable development.
- Qualifications: Experience in conservation, heritage consultancy, or town planning is preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative team with excellent professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 46200 £ per year.
Winchester City Council has an exciting opportunity within its Planning Department to join our specialist Historic Environment Team. We are seeking an ambitious Historic Environment Officer to play a vital role in the preservation and enhancement of the Winchester district's historic environment through a busy development management workload and pro‑active project work relating to historic assets and urban design matters. The successful candidate will work widely with different departments across the Council and will be a key player in strategic projects.
Winchester is a former capital of England, the cradle of the nation. An urban area with a 2000‑year history, a precious heritage that demands people of the highest calibre to care for it and to plan its future. Our district includes not only the cathedral city of Winchester, but also smaller towns and villages, beautiful countryside and a large part of the South Downs National Park. You will have the opportunity to use your expertise to shape and support ambitious sustainable development projects across the district.
The Historic Environment Team is a small but influential team within the Built Environment Service, made up of specialists in archaeology, historic buildings and urban design. We are a supportive and highly collaborative team, which aspires to high standards in throughout our work. We are committed to your professional development and growth, while maximising work/life balance. This vacancy has arisen through the promotion of the existing post holder within another council.
The Role
- Provide heritage advice for pre‑applications, planning applications and appeals relating to new works to historic buildings and in historic contexts
- Provide specialist heritage input into enforcement investigations relating to listed buildings
- Assist in the review of conservation areas and preparation of appraisal documents
- Help to formulate Council policies for the historic environment
- Contribute to guidance and presentations about the historic environment for public and specialist audiences
- Advise elected members, informally and through committee meetings and presentations
- Support and train planning officers in Heritage and Design matters to 'grow our own'
About you
Our ideal candidate would be an experienced conservation officer, heritage consultant, or town planner. What is most important to us is finding someone with the right fit, to work proactively and adaptably with us to negotiate and advocate for high quality design in new development. The right candidate will understand what it means to collaborate and engage effectively with a customer and our community stakeholders.
Benefits
- A hybrid working pattern, with up to 50% of your time working remotely
- Free parking across the district
- Essential car user allowance
- Paid Membership fees to your professional body
- Paid private healthcare (with optional upgrades)
- Local Government pension scheme, with 18% employer contributions
- Supportive workplace culture, wellbeing support programmes
- Discounted bus travel and public transport loans
- Volunteering opportunities
If this sounds like the role for you, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Daniel Ayre, Historic Environment Team Leader, for an informal chat about the role on 01962 848084 or by email to dayre@winchester.gov.uk.
Winchester City Council are unable to provide sponsorship for visa applications.
Pay & Contract
£39,152.00 to £44,075.00 Salary
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date Midnight 24/02/2026
Historic Environment Officer in Winchester employer: Winchester City Council
Contact Detail:
Winchester City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Historic Environment Officer in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Historic Environment Team before your interview! Research their recent projects and understand their approach to preserving Winchester's heritage. This will help you show that you're genuinely interested in the role and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be advising elected members and engaging with community stakeholders, being able to articulate your ideas clearly is key. Try mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! The job requires working collaboratively across different departments, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully navigated diverse teams and projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining us at Winchester City Council and contributing to our mission of enhancing the historic environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Historic Environment Officer in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Historic Environment Officer role. Highlight relevant experience in conservation, heritage consultancy, or town planning. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to preserve and enhance Winchester's historic environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the historic environment and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your fit for the role.
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit: We value collaboration, so make sure to highlight any experiences where you've worked effectively with others. Whether it's engaging with community stakeholders or advising elected members, show us how you can be a key player in our supportive team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t forget to double-check everything before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at Winchester City Council
✨Know Your Heritage
Familiarise yourself with the historic environment of Winchester and its significance. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of heritage projects you've worked on or are passionate about, as this will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since the role involves working with various departments and stakeholders, practice articulating how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Think of examples where your communication skills made a difference in a project or negotiation.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
The job requires someone who can work proactively and adaptively. Prepare to share instances where you’ve had to adjust your approach in response to changing circumstances or feedback, highlighting your flexibility and problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with the Community
Understanding community engagement is key for this role. Be ready to discuss how you would approach advising elected members and engaging with the public on heritage matters. Consider any previous experiences that demonstrate your ability to connect with diverse audiences.