Senior Heritage Officer

Overview

Do you want to develop your career in conservation in one of the most beautiful counties in Britain, boasting a wealth of heritage?

If so, then Buckinghamshire Council has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Heritage Officer to join our expanding Heritage and Archaeology Team within the Planning and Environment service.

The post is to cover a maternity leave and is offered as a 1-year fixed-term contract and on a part-time 30 hours per week (0.8 FTC) basis. The salary shown will be pro-rated.

This position is being advertised for Buckinghamshire Council internal and agency employees only.

About us

The Heritage and Archaeology Team is a busy, professional and friendly team made up of qualified Heritage Officers and Archaeologists working to protect, promote and manage the unique historic environment of Buckinghamshire. As part of the Council’s Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate and the Planning and Environment Service, the Heritage and Archaeology Team sits alongside other specialist teams, including ecology and arboriculture and works collaboratively across the organisation.

This is an exciting time to join Buckinghamshire Council.  The county is currently experiencing a huge amount of growth and an increase in planning-related casework.  Working with us will give you the chance to manage diverse casework including large and small-scale developments as well contributing to some of our existing projects.  Partnership work is key to the success of our work and the successful applicants will work with some of the key heritage stakeholders in the region, especially Historic England, the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust and local societies. 

About the role

As a member of the Heritage and Archaeology Team you will provide conservation advice relating to the management, protection and enhancement of listed buildings and Conservation Areas within the County.

You will provide authoritative conservation advice, guidance and support to colleagues, customers and stakeholders.  You will respond to consultation on planning and listed building consent consents, and you may need to represent the Local Planning Authority at planning appeals or public inquiry.  You will also have a strategic role in helping in the development of our Buckinghamshire Local Plan and advising on Neighbourhood Plans, Conservation Area appraisals, Local Heritage Listing, and other County-wide projects.

You will report to the Heritage and Archaeology Team Leader and will have the opportunity to engage with projects and outreach activities led by other members of the wider Environmental Specialist Teams.

We recognise that training is an essential part of any technical role and pride ourselves on offering excellent training opportunities and Continuing Professional Development.

Buckinghamshire is a beautiful place to live and work.  By joining our heritage and archaeology team you will be helping to preserve our special historic environment for future generations.  We pride ourselves on our great working ethos, our professionalism, our adaptability and our flexible working. 

Please see the attached job summary for further details about our role.

About you

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of heritage/conservation planning advice or consultancy.

Demonstrable knowledge of a range of heritage assets in lowland England.

Knowledge of legislation, policy and guidance relating to the historic environment.

The ability to coach and support more junior members of the team.

You will be qualified to degree level or equivalent in a course related to the historic environment.

Excellent planning and organisational skills.   

Other information

Number of positions: 1

Part-time: 30 hours per week

Closing date: 4th April 2025.

Interviews will be conducted mid April. Interviews will be held in person.

Please contact Joanna Horton if you have any questions: [email protected]

For an informal chat about this role in more detail, please contact Joanna Horton on 01296 585402.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/