Conservation & Design Officer

Job Description

Norwich is considered to be one of the most complete Medieval Cities in the United Kingdom, it has a wealth of fine buildings that represent a millennium of architectural achievement. It’s historic buildings frame some of the most interesting streets, squares and parks in the country. Having the opportunity to be one of its custodians represents a unique and rewarding responsibility.

You can join our specialist team of buildings conservation and urban design officers who are passionate about creating and conserving high quality buildings and spaces. Your main roles will be focussed on conserving, and where possible, enhancing the historic built environment of Norwich as well as shaping the design of development projects that affect heritage assets in the City, this would be achieved through sound negotiation and good advice.

This is a Fixed Term Employment Contract (Maternity and Sickness Cover), available for one year, the position is offered at salary Grade 6. The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record in heritage conservation and previous local government experience

If you require further information or wish to discuss the role in more detail please contact Norwich City Council's Conservation & Design Team Leader, David Jones by e-mail at davidjones@norwich.gov.uk. (Please note: If offered an interview you may be required to complete a short test.)

Job Purpose

• To provide building conservation and urban design expertise to conserve and enhance the quality of the built environment through development management, capital improvement projects, the development of planning policy, investigation and enforcement against breaches of planning control and saving heritage at risk.
• To provide a customer focused service for internal and external customers which is focused on excellent delivery, service improvement and maximising efficiency.
• To contribute to the delivery of an effective and focused Planning and Regulatory service for the council.
  
  

Key corporate accountabilities

• Work collaboratively and support other colleagues (as required) to deliver Team Plans, and Corporate Plan.
• Take a collaborative approach to delivering building conservation and urban design expertise across all planning and regulatory teams supporting colleagues to deliver positive outcomes beyond traditional service boundaries where required and directed; by encouraging the sharing of knowledge, experience and resources across teams in the council.
• Contribute and support the development and delivery of the Council’s strategies and policies as required.
• To work on cross cutting corporate issues/projects as required.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues across the council to promote a culture of continuous improvement and good governance.
• To promote an open and supportive culture which maximizes the potential of employees across the council and encourages inclusivity, innovation and high performance.
  
  

Responsibilities

Key service-related accountabilities

Note: Complexity of development management cases, projects and level of supervision by more senior officers will vary according to the level of the staff member within the career grade.

• Devising urban design and building conservation policies for the local plan, conservation area appraisals and thematic supplementary planning documents and consulting with the public in the production of these documents.
• Promoting good quality new development through the production of development briefs.
• Acting as a development management case officer for listed building consent applications, including dealing with pre-application negotiations, determining applications under delegated powers, writing and presenting reports for committee, discharging planning conditions and managing planning performance agreements.
• Providing building conservation and urban design advice on the acceptability of development proposals to development management colleagues, applicants, the public and Planning Applications Committee and negotiating improvement to those proposals.

Preparing evidence and being the Council’s expert witness in connection with planning appeals whether dealt with by written representation or at hearings.

Investigating and taking enforcement action against breaches of planning control in relation to listed buildings and conservation areas.

Protecting heritage assets at risk through development management, enforcement and conservation projects.

Providing building conservation training for members and officers and mentoring junior members of the team (secondary responsibility at Grade 6).

Contributing to the development of the conservation and design team’s work program and improvements to the team’s methods of working, including helping to introduce new technology and maintaining the accuracy of the council’s information on heritage assets.

Keeping up to date with the latest legislation and best practice in the fields of building conservation and urban design.

Working independently on own initiative with minimal supervision to undertake tasks.

Respond to enquiries from councillors and from the media (via the communications team) in the absence of the team leaders

Undertake site inspections in all weather conditions, including negotiating steps, ladders and rough terrain.

Proactively contributes to change management by taking a system’s thinking approach in order to identify areas for improvement.

Deliver services in accordance with key performance indicators, service standards and quality systems.

Lead on work priorities set by the Conservation and Design Team Leader.

Look for opportunities to bring in income streams into the council and horizon scanning for business opportunities, innovation and efficiency savings across the council.

Comply with relevant statutory legislation in relation to roles/duties.

General requirements

• All employees will be expected to be flexible in their duties and carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the general scope of the job, as requested.

Duties and responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with relevant Council policies and procedures, within legislation and any code of professional ethics of relevant professional bodies.

All employees are expected to maintain a high standard of customer care in the context of the council’s core values, to uphold the Equality and Diversity Policy and health and safety standards and to participate in personal learning and development necessary to the post.

To give due regard to the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty when delivering services.

To demonstrate and positively reinforce our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk.

To work within the Council’s competency framework and to adhere to the Code of Conduct, the Council’s Constitution, and procurement rules.

Skills Required

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Negotiating improvements to development proposals and works to historic buildings.
• Providing expert advice to explain and interpret design and conservation issues.
• Working in a team environment and own initiative.
• Experience of working in the field of building conservation and urban design.
• Knowledge of the legislative and policy framework for the conservation of the historic environment, planning and urban design.
• Principles and practice of managing projects.
• Good practice in urban design and the conservation of historic buildings.
• Role of key organisations and related professional disciplines involved in planning, development and conservation, and the factors that affect their investment decisions and grant aiding.
• Importance of achieving good design of public spaces.
• Development of the historic environment, including the ability to assess the importance and the impact of development proposals on historic assets.

Building construction, the characteristics of structures, the nature and properties of building materials and appropriate methods of repair and alteration of historic fabric.

The role of related building disciplines e.g. archaeologist, structural engineer.

Knowledge of enforcement processes and legislation.

Essential

Skills and abilities

• Communicate complex design and conservation ideas and legislative and policy requirements clearly and concisely to different audiences.
• Act as the council’s expert witness at appeals, public enquiries or court hearings.
• Form constructive working relationships with all customer groups, including applicants, statutory bodies, interest groups and the public.
• Appraise and identify the problems and potential of land and buildings through site observation, and the interpretation of plans.
• Analyse and evaluate quality of design, existing and proposed, of buildings and areas.
• Assess and monitor the condition of buildings, diagnose defects and specify and prioritise proposals for their repair, maintenance and enhancement.
• Carry out or commission research, analysis and recording of the built and historic environment, and to maintain records accordingly.
• Deliver work to the required standard, within agreed timescales and within budget.
• Use information and communication technology effectively.
• Negotiate assertively and persuasively to secure the best outcome for the Council.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues to share/provide information as required for activities/tasks.
• Ability to be flexible at all times and work under own initiative.
• Positive, optimistic outlook and a self-starter who enjoys a challenge.
• Good analytical and data collection skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of diversity and equality requirements around service delivery.

Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Ability to deliver a high level of customer service and proactively look for ways to improve the customer experience and tailor information to meet the needs of the customer.

Ability to “model” appropriate behaviours that encourage a culture of empowerment, initiative and transparency across the Council.

Educational Requirements

Essential

• Full, affiliate or supporter membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
• Degree level qualification or higher in building conservation
  
  

Why work for us

Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.

To find out more about working and living in Norwich Home | Work in Norwich.

The council has a long and proud history of being a council that is keen to push the boundaries of what a district can achieve, to find out more about what it is like to work in local government visit Working in local government - #LocalGov Careers - Youth Employment UK

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

Norwich City Council offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about promoting Norwich and the services the council provides. We also offer good career prospects with competitive rates of pay, generous holidays and working arrangements to suit all lifestyles.

Equal Opportunities Policy

The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.

Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore it is important to give as much detail as possible including information about experience gained outside employment.

Benefits

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package and are proud to have the Living Wage accreditation. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

• All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum. This is pro rata for part-time employees
• In addition to the statutory public holidays, we grant an additional statutory day leave at Christmas
• Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support