Location
Dorchester, Dorset Council area. You will be required to work across the Dorset Council area and carry out site visits and appraisals. You must live within reasonable travel distance of one of the Council’s offices (Dorchester, Wimborne, Wareham).

Hours
Full Time - 37 hours per week. Flexible working and agile working supported, including working from home where appropriate. Applications from those wishing to work part-time are also welcome.

Salary
£29,542 - £46,579 per year (Grade 9 to 11)

About the Role
Protect it. Shape it. Enjoy it. Be part of Dorset. Join Dorset Council’s friendly and dedicated Conservation & Design Team as a Conservation Officer and experience the beauty of Dorset every day in your job. Dorset is a largely rural county with over 12,500 Listed Buildings and 188 Conservation Areas, featuring a diverse landscape and rich history. Over half the county is designated as a National Landscape, and three quarters of the coastline form part of the Jurassic Coast Natural World Heritage site.

As a Conservation Officer, you will work with a supportive and enthusiastic team to assess and negotiate applications for Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings and Conservation Areas at pre-application and application stages across Dorset Council’s area. You will play an active role in development management by assessing and determining Listed Building Consent applications and providing consultation responses to planning applications affecting heritage assets.

You will contribute to the development of guidance notes and Supplementary Planning Documents, participate in planning committees, appeal hearings, and inquiries, and provide specialist advice on enforcement cases. Opportunities may also include reviewing and updating Conservation Area Appraisals and assessing the Buildings at Risk Register.

Dorset Council takes a practical approach to managing the historic environment. We are looking for someone passionate about conservation who is also pragmatic and resourceful, driven to find innovative solutions to complex challenges and make a tangible difference.

Employee benefits include a local government pension, flexible working, continual learning and development, and the chance to enjoy Dorset’s beautiful beaches and countryside on your doorstep.

Experience
Proven experience assessing development proposals and their impacts on heritage assets. Skilled in providing technical and design advice to Listed Building occupiers and those in Conservation Areas. Experience working with large estates and challenging stakeholders is desirable. Demonstrated ability to make competent decisions on listed buildings and Conservation Areas matters.

Experience in development management, including Listed Building Consent applications and enforcement cases.

About you
Good communication skills, both written and spoken, with the ability to respond confidently in a variety of situations. Able to write reports, policy documents, and deliver presentations to committees, appeals, and other groups. Pragmatic outlook ensuring Listed Buildings remain in productive use for future generations. Confident and diplomatic in dealing with customers and stakeholders. Resourceful, practical, and keen to make a tangible difference.

Must have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle or suitable transport for travel across the Dorset Council area.

Qualifications
Appropriate qualification in Town and Country Planning, Building Conservation, or a related discipline. Membership or eligibility for membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is an advantage.

Commitment to continuing professional development.