Principal Conservation Officer

Grade: L

Salary: £41,511 - £45,718 per annum pro rata

Contract: Part-time contracts available (15 hours per week)

Location: Hybrid - You can work from home and from one of our office bases in Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate, whilst you cover an allocated part of the region.

Our team...

The Council's Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work.

The Environment & Design workstream comprises a multidisciplinary team of specialist disciplines, who support the council's role in place-shaping by working across the whole planning function. The specialisms include archaeology, ecology, landscape, historic environment, and urban design.

Role summary...

The Principal Conservation Officer will promote the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment ensuring that it is an integral part of the Council's growth and place making agenda.

You will provide specialist conservation officer advice to ensure statutory requirements and council objectives are met, supporting the preparation of the council's Local Plan.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Support the preparation, implementation, and review of the statutory development plan by inputting to the formulation of local plan conservation policies and assessing the impact of site allocations on the historic environment.
2. Provide advice on regeneration projects and initiatives related to the historic environment.
3. Proactively secure the repair of historic buildings through negotiation and the use of legislative controls as required.
4. Prepare and update heritage guidance and other advisory material for agents, developers, property owners, and the general public.
5. Review Conservation Area Appraisals and consider whether new ones should be designated, preparing conservation area statements and leaflets.
6. Compile and maintain a local list of non-designated heritage assets.
7. Compile and maintain a register of listed buildings at risk and take action to secure their preservation, often in consultation with Historic England and other Council Departments. May involve preparation and serving of Statutory Notices.
8. Manage and assist in the development of conservation grant schemes and bids and deal with applications from submission to final payment.
9. Contribute to the delivery of a proactive and customer-focused service which meets statutory requirements and enables delivery of sustainable, high-quality homes and jobs whilst respecting our built and natural environment.
10. Provide conservation advice and support to other groups, organisations and individuals in line with the Council's commercial agenda.
11. Prepare and present evidence at public examinations and local inquiries in so far as it relates to the historic environment.
12. Provide advice to the general public on building conservation matters. Build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, e.g. Historic England, Civic Societies and Parish Councils.
13. Liaise with Historic England and the Department of Culture Media and Sport and put forward buildings for listing where justified by their architectural or historic interest and/or a perceived threat of demolition or inappropriate alteration.
14. Build effective relationships and partnerships with external organisations including but not limited to Historic England, York Archaeological Trust, and local conservation groups.

Experience / Qualifications:

1. Degree level qualification in planning, architecture, or related discipline.
2. Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.
3. Post Qualification experience in building conservation and planning.
4. Experience of negotiating with a range of bodies and individuals.
5. Experience of effective communication using a variety of methods tailored to a broad range of stakeholders and customers including experience of presenting evidence at examinations/inquiries and or reports to Members.
6. Working across organisational boundaries, developing effective relationships in order to deliver Service projects and priorities.
7. Good knowledge and practical understanding of building conservation, including legislation, policy, and guidance.
8. Knowledge of architectural history, building design and traditional building construction.

Contact and Apply...

For more information/informal discussion please contact Helen.Golightly@northyorks.gov.uk (Environment Design Manager), Anne.Sims@northyorks.gov.uk (Principal Conservation Officer).

Applying is easy, simply click on apply now, register your details, remove your personal details from your CV and upload by midnight on Sunday 19th January 2025.

Key Dates:

Closing Date: Sunday 19th January 2025

Interviews: 27th January 2025

Key Documents:

Job Description

Total Rewards

NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes.

North Yorkshire Councils' purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other's contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

North Yorkshire Council are committed to the health and safety of our employees and of others including the general public. It has a responsibility to ensure employees who hold a position that is deemed to be safety critical as it requires the performance of duties which are directly related to the safe operation or security of a facility, piece of equipment or vehicle, handling of chemicals or work at height or in confined spaces and which, if not performed properly, could result in a serious safety risk or environmental hazard to employees, a facility or the general public, do not attend work whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Individuals offered employment with North Yorkshire Council will be subject to the Workplace Substance Misuse policy. For safety critical roles as detailed above, random alcohol and drug testing may take place during the course of employment.

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