Conservation Officer

A conservation officer or specialist conservation advisor will generally work for a local authority or private consultancy respectively, advising on and promoting the conservation of the historic environment and, in particular, its long-term care, preservation and, vitally, its enhancement. Much of their work will be with listed buildings or buildings within conservation areas.

The conservation officer works on behalf of the local authority, administering the listed building consent process, and working closely with both the planning officer and the building control officer. Their work may involve examining planning applications and advising the planning officer on additional conditions that any proposed works should meet; setting the conditions for listed building consent; providing advice to the applicant on project design or materials and techniques used; pursuing funding opportunities for regeneration and enhancement schemes; and ensuring adherence to the relevant legislation, best practice and the conditions of listed building consent during any building work with a specific architectural, historical or cultural interest.

For more information on a career as a conservation officer, including qualifications and education visit Careers Advice.