Conservation Officer

Building conservation officers help to protect and enhance historic buildings, including houses, churches, windmills, lighthouses and factories. They report and advise on buildings and areas of special historic or architectural interest for their preservation, conservation, care and curatorship. Their roles also include securing the improvement of historic and valued places for the benefit of communities today and in the future. They guide new developments in order to maintain the distinctive character of an area - up to a third of planning applications submitted involve conservation issues. They may also be involved in regeneration projects that have community, economic and environmental benefits.

What you would do:

• inspect and survey buildings, complexes, historic areas and sites (including historic landscapes and gardens);
• assess the historical and architectural importance of buildings and areas for conservation, and writing reports on their condition;
• produce, or contribute to, advisory designs and specifying requirements for development proposals and the repair or alteration of historic buildings, areas and sites;
• find suppliers and craftspeople who can provide the traditional materials and skills to carry out the work in keeping with the age of the building;
• estimate restoration and conservation costs;
• apply for grants and other regeneration or capital project funding and managing those schemes and initiatives;
• recommend buildings and areas for conservation and producing a schedule of the work required;
• ensure that all work complies with legislation, including health and safety guidelines;
• give advice on building conservation to owners, architects, amenity and heritage groups, local authorities, government agencies and planning committees, including negotiating and persuading them to follow your advice;
• work alongside heritage and conservation groups and local and national government agencies to develop policies and strategies on building conservation;
• encourage communities to support their historic places, and giving presentations to explain and promote building conservation

You need to be:

• a person with sound written communication skills including report writing using a word processor.
• a person with sound verbal communication skills including experience in the preparation and delivery of public presentations.
• in possession of well developed interpersonal and negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of client groups
• experienced in the preparation and delivery of public presentations
• experienced in the conservation of the built environment
• experienced in use of heritage assessment guidelines and conservation planning principles in the built environment.

You will require:

A University level qualification in a field relevant to heritage conservation.

Improve your chances by:

Gaining experience as a secretariat to a committee or advisory board.

What you will earn:

Salaries may range from around $36,000 to $80,000 or more a year.