Are you passionate about historic listed buildings****Cheltenham Borough Council** have an exciting opportunity for a Conservation Officer to join the team.
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (GL50 9SA)
Salary: £30,296 - £32,076 per annum
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
Close Date: 20th August 2024
About Us:
We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council, committed to making Cheltenham a better place to live and work, enabling communities and businesses to thrive whilst protecting the town's cherished qualities.
Our aim to be an employer of choice where everyone is treated fairly and feels valued and respected. We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding working environment that encourages our people to work together, provides opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Conservation Officer – Purpose of the Role:
Assist with the implementation of the Council's statutory obligations in respect of listed buildings, conservation areas and other heritage assets.
Provide specialist advice to DM colleagues in respect of applications (including pre-apps) which may have an impact upon heritage assets. This will include managing and determining your own caseload of applications for listed building consent and associated appeals.
Carry out conservation related studies and prepare reports on matters related to the conservation of the Borough's historic environment.
Conservation Officer – Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload of listed building consent applications (and pre-apps) and handle tasks including validation, site inspections, negotiations, consultations and report preparation
- Present applications to the Planning Committee and provide heritage advice at committee meetings or panels
- Represent the Borough Council at heritage-related appeals, including written representations, hearings, or inquiries; occasionally act as an expert heritage witness if needed
- Act as a specialist consultant on planning applications impacting heritage assets including listed buildings to colleagues
- Advise architects, agents and others on matters relating to conservation areas, listed buildings and the planning process generally
- Approach all tasks with a problem-solving mindset, working proactively with applicants and colleagues to address heritage issues
- Secondary to the main role; contribute to local historic conservation projects such as the conservation area appraisals and assist in producing Supplementary Planning Documents
Conservation Officer – You:
- Degree in Building Conservation, Town Planning or closely associated discipline
- Understanding of architectural history and traditional building materials and practical methods of building construction, restoration and repair in relation to historic buildings
- Solid understanding of building conservation work and application of listed building legislation, policy and guidance
- A good understanding of the current issues facing planning and heritage management
- Planning service experience for either in local government or private practice is desirable
- A good level of IT skills including use of Microsoft Office
- Proactive individual who can work within targets set by departmental performance indicators
- Work well as part of a team and relates well to people at all levels, including members, colleagues, developers and their agents, the general public and other groups/organisations
Conservation Officer – Benefits:
- Excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Generous holiday entitlement of 26 days rising to 31 days after five years. Part-time employees receive a pro rata entitlement of 26 days
- Flexible and agile working environment. We aim to provide opportunities to work from home or elsewhere and offer flexibility in working hours
- Comprehensive programme of learning and development
- Two days paid time off for volunteering
- Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes
- Employee counselling service
- Free eye tests (for some posts) and contribution towards the cost of glasses
- Cycle to work scheme
- Low-cost town centre parking (for some posts), depending on work location
- Commitment to employee wellbeing
- Access to a medical health benefit
Closing date for applications is 20th August 2024.
To submit your application for this exciting Conservation Officer opportunity, please click ‘Apply' now.