Are you passionate about conserving heritage and bringing expert advice to planning and development? Join us as a Conservation Heritage Officer and play a key role in safeguarding the character, history and identity of Bracknell Forest.
At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service. This role includes an expectation to work from our Time Square office one day per week, alongside flexible working arrangements.
This role will be offered on a permanent, part-time basis - hours to be negotiated.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Conservation Heritage Officer to provide specialist advice on all matters in respect of conservation, listed buildings and heritage assets within the Planning section. In this role, you will support Development Management by advising on pre-application enquiries, planning applications and enforcement matters, while helping the council fulfil its statutory duties in relation to heritage assets.
You will bring a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant heritage conservation discipline (or equivalent experience), along with significant experience of providing conservation and historic heritage advice in the UK planning sector. You will also have a strong understanding of planning and conservation legislation and the ability to interpret and apply it in practice.
This role sits within the Strategic Sites and Design Team in the Planning section of the council’s Place directorate. You will be joining a friendly and supportive team that works collaboratively across a wide range of planning matters. The Planning section brings together six teams covering development management, planning enforcement, technical support, planning policy and the delivery and implementation of planning priorities.
As a Conservation Heritage Officer, you will be responsible for:
- Providing conservation advice to Development Management in respect of pre-application enquiries and planning applications
- Providing expert advice on heritage and conservation matters to Development Management Officers to assist in their consideration of planning applications and enforcement matters
- Assisting the council in the exercise of its statutory duties with respect to heritage assets
- Providing advice on all matters in respect of conservation, listed buildings and heritage assets
- Leading or assisting in the preparation of conservation-related planning policy and guidance
- 28 days* annual leave increasing to 33 days* after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days*.
- Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting [email protected]. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.
Bracknell Forest council are proud to be an inclusive employer. This means that if you have made us aware on the application form that you, have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or you are a care leaver. You will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Interviews will be held on 7th July 2026.
Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:
Matt Lunn, Strategic Sites and Design Team Manager on 01344 351608, or Jo Male, Assistant Director: Planning on 01344 351128.
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.
Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.
No agencies please
Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Please apply online via the link provided.
Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
