Location
Woking, Surrey County Council

Hours
36 hours per week

Salary
£42,958 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking to appoint a Historic Buildings Officer within Surrey County Council’s Historic Environment and Planning Team based in Woking. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a qualified heritage specialist to develop, grow and apply their skills in the assessment, understanding and management of historic buildings and conservation areas within the planning process. You will work within a small, supportive team of dedicated buildings specialists.

As a Historic Buildings Officer, you will provide specialist conservation advice to a range of organisations and individuals including the County Council’s planning functions, other local authorities within Surrey, charitable trusts, and homeowners. The role involves in-depth research, engaging projects, and challenging casework.

You will be an experienced conservation and buildings specialist with a strong track record in local authority heritage teams, delivering timely, efficient and pragmatic planning-related services. You will have a thorough knowledge of British architecture in general and Surrey’s architectural history in particular, alongside expertise in the investigation, assessment, conservation and management of historic buildings and conservation areas. The role also involves significant stakeholder engagement with the public, professionals and elected Members.

Surrey County Council offers 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 31 days after 5 years’ service (pro-rated for part-time), with the option to buy up to 10 additional days. Benefits include a generous local government pension, up to 5 days carer’s leave, 2 paid volunteering days per year, paternity, adoption and dependents leave, an Employee Assistance Programme, access to a learning and development hub, and wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel and shopping.

Join our dynamic team and help shape the future of local government, making a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community.

Experience
Proven experience within local planning authority heritage teams or comparable roles, delivering advice and managing aspects of the built historic environment.

Strong track record in conservation and buildings specialist roles, with experience in planning-related services.

Demonstrable knowledge of architecture, designed landscapes and archaeology, with a deep understanding of heritage management within the planning process.

About you
Passionate about heritage and historic environment management.

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, able to work with the public, professionals and elected Members.

Confident IT user with proficiency in Microsoft Office and GIS applications.

Full UK driving licence and access to own car.

Qualifications
Degree in a relevant heritage-related subject such as history, architectural studies, historic building conservation, archaeology or similar.

Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IHBC, MRITP) is required.