Conservation Officer
Location: Hybrid Working (Home-Based, Guildhall & Site Visits Across Shropshire)
Contract: 12-Week Temporary Assignment
Hours: 37 Hours per Week
Rate: £198 PAYE / £250 Umbrella Per Day
Make a Difference to Shropshire's Historic Environment
Shropshire Council is looking for an experienced Conservation Officer to join its Historic Environment Team on a 12-week temporary basis. This is an exciting opportunity to work within one of England's most historically rich counties, home to a diverse range of heritage assets including listed buildings, conservation areas, registered parks and gardens, scheduled monuments, and historic landscapes.
The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Council's conservation and planning functions, providing expert advice on heritage-related planning matters and contributing to the protection and enhancement of Shropshire's historic environment.
Key Responsibilities
As a Conservation Officer, you will:
- Assess and provide recommendations on listed building consent applications, planning applications, and heritage consultations.
- Deliver specialist conservation advice on proposals affecting listed buildings, conservation areas, registered parks and gardens, and other heritage assets.
- Respond to pre-application enquiries from applicants, agents, and colleagues.
- Undertake site inspections across the county as required.
- Prepare high-quality written reports, consultation responses, and recommendations.
- Support conservation area initiatives, heritage projects, and policy development work.
- Assist with the monitoring and resolution of Buildings at Risk cases.
- Liaise with Historic England, town and parish councils, local amenity groups, applicants, and other stakeholders.
- Attend meetings and represent the Historic Environment Team where necessary.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will possess:
- A degree or postgraduate qualification in Building Conservation, Historic Environment, Planning, Architecture, or a related discipline.
- Proven experience working as a Conservation Officer or within a similar historic environment role.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
- National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
- Historic England guidance and conservation best practice
- Experience assessing proposals affecting heritage assets and preparing professional recommendations.
- Excellent report-writing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Membership of IHBC, RTPI, RIBA, or another relevant professional body.
- Previous experience within a Local Planning Authority.
- Experience preparing Conservation Area Appraisals, management plans, or heritage guidance documents.
- Experience dealing with heritage enforcement matters and Buildings at Risk projects.
Working Arrangements
This is a hybrid role, combining home working, office attendance at Guildhall, and site visits across Shropshire. Flexible working arrangements may be considered to support business and operational needs.
All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references.
