Conservation Officers

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

About the Role

We have positions available, please state your preference in your application:

• Fixed Term Contract - 2 years
• Maternity Cover- temporary cover up to one year, end date dependent upon return of substantive post holder.

Bath’s international significance is recognised through its dual World Heritage Site designation, extensive conservation area, and exceptional concentration of historic buildings. Beyond the City of Bath, the wider Bath and North East Somerset area contains a rich and diverse historic environment, including locally distinctive vernacular architecture, nationally important archaeology, and significant industrial and coal‑mining heritage.

Across the district there are:

• over 6,000 listed buildings (approximately 3% Grade I, 10% Grade II* and 87% Grade II);
• 35 conservation areas;
• 16 registered historic parks and gardens and
• a wide range of undesignated local heritage assets.

To help manage, protect, and enhance this exceptional historic environment, we are seeking two experienced historic built environment professionals to join our specialist team on fixed‑term contracts of one and two years.

The team and work you will do

You will work within a well‑established, multidisciplinary team of conservation and other specialist colleagues. The team undertakes a wide and rewarding range of work, including:

• managing, assessing, and recommending decisions on listed building consent and planning applications;
• advising on development proposals affecting heritage assets;
• guiding new development and capital projects with historic environment implications;
• conservation area designation, review, and appraisal;
• work on heritage at risk and
• contributing to Local Plan policy development and site allocations.

There is also a particular opportunity to support Council‑led projects, as the Council owns a substantial number of listed buildings across Bath and has responsibility for a wide range of functions within this uniquely sensitive historic environment.

About you

You will:

• hold a degree in a relevant subject;
• be a member of, or working towards membership of, the IHBC and ideally RTPI;
• have a demonstrable track record in heritage conservation, the planning process, and achieving high‑quality outcomes;
• possess a strong understanding of national and local historic environment policy and legislation and
• have previous local government experience.

Why join us?

We are a positive, supportive, and collaborative team, committed to delivering excellent outcomes for both heritage and communities. You will have the opportunity to work in a world‑class historic environment, contribute to addressing major challenges such as climate change and retrofit in historic buildings, and help shape the future of one of the UK’s most significant places.

If you are forward‑thinking, ambitious, and motivated to make a real difference, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We support flexible working with the opportunity to move between the award-winning, modern Civic Centre in Keynsham which will be your main office base, and other Council locations in Bath and Midsomer Norton as well as some homeworking.

Interviews and information

We aim to hold all interviews for this position face-to-face, as we believe this offers the best experience for candidate and panel members.

If you require further information or want an informal chat about the role, please contact Deputy Head of Planning, Paula Freeland or Principal Conservation Officer, Jayne Boldy by e-mail at paula_freeland@bathnes.gov.uk, jayne_boldy@bathnes.gov.uk

Interview date: TBC

Please no agencies.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.