Conservation Officer

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To provide specialist conservation and urban design expertise that supports high-quality development and the preservation of the historic environment. The role is responsible for progressing planning applications, conservation and design projects, policy development, and regeneration initiatives, ensuring compliance with planning legislation, policy, and best practice.

The postholder will work closely with planning teams, developers, stakeholders, and the wider community to secure high-quality design outcomes, protect heritage assets, and contribute to sustainable growth across the borough.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and provide specialist advice on planning applications, listed buildings, conservation areas, urban design, and heritage matters.
  


• Lead on conservation and design projects, studies, and initiatives from inception through to implementation.
  


• Provide expert guidance to Development Management teams, developers, applicants, councillors, and stakeholders on conservation and design matters.
  


• Negotiate with applicants and developers to secure high-quality design, heritage, and sustainability outcomes.
  


• Contribute to planning policy development and support the integration of conservation and urban design principles into planning decisions.
  


• Prepare technical reports, policy documents, consultation responses, and appeal statements.
  


• Represent the Council at planning appeals, hearings, inquiries, committees, and other public forums, including acting as an expert witness where required.
  


• Support the management and operation of the Design Review Panel and other design quality initiatives.
  


• Liaise with internal departments, statutory consultees, community groups, and external organisations on conservation and urban design matters.
  


• Mentor and support junior colleagues and contribute to the development of technical knowledge across the service.
  


• Monitor changes in legislation, policy, and best practice and help implement service improvements.
  


• Manage project workloads effectively to meet service objectives, deadlines, and performance targets.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Degree in Architecture, Town Planning, Urban Design, Building Conservation, or a related discipline.
  


• Eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body (RIBA, RTPI, IHBC, or equivalent).
  


• Minimum two years' experience in planning, conservation, architecture, urban design, or a related field.
  


• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy, conservation principles, urban design, architectural history, and sustainability.
  


• Experience assessing complex planning applications and negotiating high-quality design outcomes.
  


• Ability to analyse technical drawings, plans, heritage statements, and design documents.
  


• Excellent written communication, report-writing, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  


• Ability to manage projects independently and prioritise competing workloads.
  


• Proficiency in relevant IT systems and planning-related software.
  


• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
  

Desirable

• Experience representing an organisation at planning appeals, public inquiries, or hearings.
  


• Experience mentoring or supervising junior staff.
  


• Knowledge of VuCity or similar urban modelling software.
  


• Experience contributing to planning policy development, regeneration projects, or conservation area management.
  

Additional Information

• Location: London Borough of Hackney
  


• Hours: Full-time (36 hours per week)
  


• Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly