Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer job profile

Historic buildings inspectors or conservation officers preserve buildings of special heritage, so that future generations may enjoy them

Your role, as a historic buildings inspector or conservation officer, will be to advise on and promote the conservation of historic buildings, structures and areas of special historic, architectural, or artistic interest.

You'll work in the areas of long-term care, preservation and enhancement and may also be involved in regeneration projects that have community, economic and environmental benefits.

Responsibilities

As an historic buildings inspector or conservation officer, you'll need to:

visit sites, and inspect and survey historic sites and buildings
assess and recommend buildings and areas for conservation and produce area appraisals and schedules of work
represent conservation issues to planning and development policymakers both locally and nationally
advise on planning applications and guide new developments that affect the repair or alteration of historic buildings, areas and sites
get involved in regeneration projects that have heritage, community, economic and environmental benefits
work alongside heritage and conservation groups, as well as local and national government agencies, to develop policies and strategies on building conservation
canvass public opinion and deal with public enquiries, providing information as required
provide advice and consultation to residents, landowners, councils and other bodies, which can be in the form of formal reports, writing leaflets, arranging displays and giving talks
plan and supervise long-term environmental projects
give advice and prepare reports as required on the condition, future prospect and potential of sites or buildings
estimate restoration and conservation costs
find suppliers and craftspeople who have the skills and materials required to carry out work in keeping with the age of the building
source and apply for grants to help fund conservation work
ensure that all work complies with internationally accepted conservation standards and national legislation and policy, including health and safety guidelines
assist with enforcement action to protect threatened buildings or conservation areas.

Salary

The range of typical starting salaries falls between £22,000 and £27,000.
Those with experience and/or qualifications typically earn £26,000 to £39,000.
Salaries at senior level, for example as head of conservation or head of architecture, usually range between £40,000 and £60,000.

Salaries vary considerably according to the location, sector and size of the employing organisation, with salaries normally higher in London. Pension schemes are sometimes available.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours vary according to the role and sector you're in. Roles in the public sector usually consist of a 35 to 40-hour week, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. In the private sector, hours are typically more varied, with extra hours, overtime and weekend working more likely.

Flexitime may be available and part-time work or career breaks may be possible in some organisations.

What to expect

You'll split your time between an office base and whichever site you're currently working on. This can often involve working outdoors and site visits and inspections are conducted in all weathers.
There may be considerable travel within a working day, and absence from home overnight may occasionally be necessary. A company car is not usually offered, but you might have your mileage covered for site visits.
Self-employment or freelance work is increasingly common as local authorities outsource public services. For experienced professionals, there are increasing opportunities for historic building consultancy.
Appropriate safety equipment, such as protective boots and headgear, must be worn on-site.

Qualifications

Although this career is open to all graduates, a degree or HND in one of the following subjects may increase your chances:

archaeology or history
architectural history
architecture
building conservation
building or construction
civil/structural engineering
heritage management
landscape architecture or urban design
planning
surveying.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible, especially through the planning technician route, from where you can move across into the role of historic buildings inspector or conservation officer.

Although not essential, a postgraduate qualification can be highly advantageous in what is a quite specialist and competitive field. The large number of volunteers in this sector means that the search for a paid position is even more intense. Completing further study will not guarantee a job but it will improve your chances.

Membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is usually a requirement for jobs in this field, and it's advisable to attend training events run by specialist bodies such as the IHBC and The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). Each year, SPAB offers a limited number of scholarships for young building professionals.

Skills

You'll need to show evidence of the following:

a strong interest in, and knowledge of, historic architecture, building methods and techniques
knowledge of relevant legislation relating to buildings and conservation
confidence in working with measurements and budget calculations
excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of other professionals
good analytical skills, accuracy and attention to detail
an eye for design, the ability to sketch designs and plans and an understanding of technical drawings
organisational skills and a methodical approach to work
negotiation skills
project management skills
the ability to produce clear and concise reports
strong teamworking skills
good IT skills
a full driving licence - this will usually be needed as it may not be easy to reach sites by public transport.

Work experience

Relevant experience will give you an advantage and is highly valued by employers and is of even greater importance if your degree is not directly relevant.

You can get experience by completing a vacation or sandwich placement or by undertaking voluntary work.

Volunteers are welcomed by organisations and national amenity societies such as the:

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Building conservation is a relatively small and competitive field, but there are job opportunities across both the public and private sectors, over the country, with organisations such as:

Cadw - the Welsh government's historic environment service
Department for Communities - Historic Environment, in Northern Ireland
English Heritage - the government's statutory advisor on the historic environment
Historic Environment Scotland
National Trust - also runs graduate training schemes
National Trust for Scotland
The Victorian Society and other amenity societies may offer volunteering positions.

You can also find opportunities with:

education institutions
local authorities - most employ at least one historic buildings inspector or conservation officer
private consultancies
private sector employers - for a list see the Historic Environment Service Provider Recognition (HESPR)
specialist historic building contractors in the construction industry.

Jobs may be advertised with the title of conservator, or historic environment or building conservation professional/specialist.

Look for job vacancies at:

Professional development

Most of your training will be given in the workplace, but it's essential to keep up to date with legislation, compliance and reporting requirements through training and continuous professional development (CPD), in line with the membership requirements and standards of IHBC. This includes completing a minimum of 50 hours' professional development over a rolling two-year period.

There are specialised courses and further qualifications you can take if you want to further develop your knowledge. See the National Heritage Training Group for details of training opportunities within the heritage sector.

Relevant professional bodies with built environment interests, such as the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), have dedicated groups for conservation specialists, and membership of a body relevant to your background and area of expertise is important for addressing your training and career development needs.

For information on gaining accreditation with relevant bodies see Understanding Conservation. IHBC is also closely involved in developing National Occupational Standards for conservation professionals with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Career prospects

Typically, you'll begin your career in a trainee position at conservation officer level in a local authority (LA), although entry may be possible at technician level in departments such as planning.

The public sector offers good opportunities for career development and LAs have well-established promotion routes to more senior posts. This may include becoming a senior inspector/conservation officer or manager of a team of cross-functional conservation professionals, including surveyors, heritage managers and building control officers.

It's common for professionals in this industry to move between local authorities and the private and/or voluntary sector to gain broader experience and seek more senior positions. For example, those working in the private sector often choose to have periods of employment in dedicated heritage organisations such as amenity societies or national heritage agencies.

Due to the specialist nature of the industry and the low turnover of staff, you may find you need to relocate to achieve career progression. Becoming a full member of IHBC will increase your chances of progressing to more senior posts.

Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer