Conservation Officer

Job Title: Conservation Officer
Team / Department: Design, Landscape & Conservation
Location: Elizabeth House, Stratford-upon-Avon and Remote Working
Employment Status: Permanent
Hours per week: 37
Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working
Salary: Grade G: £39,862 - £42,839

About Us

Based in the heart of Warwickshire, the beautiful district of Stratford-on-Avon is, without doubt, one of the most scenic and historical regions in the UK. Stratford-on-Avon District Council's headquarters are located in the heart of William Shakespeare's hometown. In the District, you will find thriving market towns, home to over 135,000 residents and a tourist destination for millions of visitors each year, from across the globe. We are proud to provide public services to residents, businesses and visitors across this magnificent region, making it a great place to live, work and visit.

At the Council, our people are our superpower and by choosing to bring your talents to our organisation, you will be joining a great team where everyone feels that they truly belong, full of dedicated people all working with passion and purpose, across a dynamic portfolio of work providing high-quality services.

Benefits Flexibility

• A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangements with the flexibility to work from home for up to 60% of your hours (dependent upon the role)
• Flexi time scheme for a better work life balance.

Lifestyle

• Health Cash Plan Scheme for medical and dental expenses.
• Eye test voucher scheme.
• Everyone Active Gym Membership discount.

Professional Development

• Training and Development opportunities.
• Payment of one professional subscription fee.

Financial Planning

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to secure your future.
• Access to free Will writing services.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes e.g. Cycle to Work etc.
• Free town centre parking.

What to Expect in the Role

This new position will join the existing team of Conservation Officers, Urban Designers, and Forestry and Landscape Officers within the Development Delivery Department of the Council, providing expert conservation and heritage advice to support the delivery of high quality and sympathetic development, from pre application to post application stages.

Bringing your technical knowledge and skills, you will work with the Planning Applications, Policy, and Enforcement teams to inform decision making across the Council's built environment, comprising over 3,300 listed buildings and 75 Conservation Areas.

You will play an active role in negotiations on heritage impact for development proposals at all scales, including major applications and proposed works to listed buildings. You will support colleagues on key conservation projects, such as revising the District's Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan documents. You will also be instrumental in supporting our Enforcement Team, providing expert knowledge to delivery the continued protection of the District's heritage assets.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details)

• Provide specialist conservation and heritage advice across the Council's Development service, including Planning Applications, Policy, and Enforcement.
• Lead negotiations on heritage impact for planning and listed building applications.
• Act as Case Officer for listed building applications without associated planning applications.
• Support colleagues in the production of Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan documents.
• Advise Enforcement Officers on harm associated with unauthorised works to listed buildings.
• Attend meetings, including Planning Committee to provide specialist advice regarding conservation and heritage matters.
• Provide both written and oral expert evidence on behalf of the Local Planning Authority for planning appeals or prosecutions.

What You'll Need (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details)

• Degree or Post Graduate qualification in Historic Environment/Building/Architectural Conservation, or relevant subject.
• Full Member Accredited (or working towards) of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, or chartership of other appropriate professional body.
• Good knowledge and experience of current conservation legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Experience of effective stakeholder engagement and/ or providing detailed advice to members, officers, developers, and the public on built heritage matters.
• Effective communication skills, including writing detailed comments on planning applications relating to built heritage.

Right To Work

Applicants must have existing Right to Work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Use if Artificial Intelligence (AI) e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini etc.

Artificial Intelligence could be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by AI, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal applicants may be subject to disciplinary action.

Interview Format

All interviews for this position will be held face to face, as we believe this offers the best experience for candidates and panel members.

Contact

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Alexander Folliss, Design, Landscape & Conservation Team Leader on or .

Application Deadline

Applications will close at midnight on Thursday 30th April 2026.

Interview Schedule

Interviews will be held week beginning 11th May 2026.

Apply

To apply, please visit our website: Stratford-on-Avon District Council - Current Vacancies or email .

Equality Statement

The Council is committed to equality of opportunity and aims to create a welcoming, inclusive workplace where we are all able to bring our whole selves to work and perform at our best.