At a Glance
- Tasks: Preserve and enhance Winchester's historic environment through planning and project work.
- Company: Winchester City Council, dedicated to maintaining a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, free parking, healthcare, and generous pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of a historic city.
- Qualifications: Experience in conservation, heritage consultancy, or town planning.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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’re 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.
Our offices are based in the heart of Winchester and the successful candidates can benefit from:
- 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.
Historic Environment Officer (Conservation) 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 (Conservation) in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Historic Environment Team! Research their recent projects and initiatives. This will not only help you understand their work better but also give you some great talking points during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can provide insider info about the team culture and expectations, plus it shows your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Historic Environment Officer. Practise articulating your thoughts on heritage conservation and urban design.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team at Winchester City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Historic Environment Officer (Conservation) in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Historic Environment Officer role. Highlight your 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 this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively and advocate for high-quality design.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Historic Environment Officer, you'll need to engage effectively with various stakeholders. In your application, highlight any experience you have in advising elected members or presenting to public audiences. We love candidates who can communicate complex ideas clearly!
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 to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Winchester City Council
✨Know Your Heritage
Familiarise yourself with the historic environment of Winchester and its unique features. Research recent projects or policies that the council has implemented, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with different stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to engage with community members and other departments, as collaboration is key in this position.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios related to conservation and urban design. Think about past experiences where you had to negotiate or advocate for high-quality design and be ready to discuss them.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the Historic Environment Team's current projects and future goals. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the team’s values align with yours.