Conservation Officer

We are an ambitious Council, located in the heart of ‘1066 Country’ in South East England. Over 80% of Rother District lies within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the district has a rich conservation heritage including the historic market towns of Battle and Rye as well as the vernacular architecture of the rural High Weald landscape. The district has over 2,000 Listed Buildings ranging from castles to cottages, formal terraces to farm buildings, and 10 designated Conservation Areas.

We are looking to appoint a Conservation Officer, as a replacement role, to join our small Conservation and Design Team within the Strategy and Planning Service, to secure and promote the conservation and enhancement of the historic built environment of the district.

With experience of detailed work in relation to listed buildings and conservation matters, the successful applicant for the post will give specialist professional advice, primarily related to the council’s planning and listed building casework in the Development Management Team, at application and pre-application stage, and including related matters such as appeals and enforcement.

The role will also include contributing to the conservation aspects of the Local Plan, neighbourhood plans, supplementary planning documents, buildings-at-risk, public realm works and Conservation Area appraisals and management plans.

You will have a high degree of knowledge and experience of conservation matters within the planning system, a clear understanding of current policy, and be skilled at assessing development proposals and their impacts on the historic environment. You’ll need to have excellent analysis and problem-solving skills, and strong negotiation and communication skills, as well as the ability to appreciate the long-term vision of the work you’re doing.

We are willing to consider a range of flexible working patterns. Applicants are invited to indicate their preferred working pattern as part of their application and would be welcome to contact us to discuss the options that are available.

If you would like an informal discussion regarding this vacancy, please contact Samuel Batchelor, Development Manager on: (01424) 787615 or via email: samuel.batchelor@rother.gov.uk  

 The job description and application form are available to download from our website www.rother.gov.uk