Hours: 37 per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Service Area: Sustainable Communities
Department: Planning & Conservation
UNESCO World Heritage Status is the highest accolade that can be achieved by any historic site worldwide. There are 33 World Heritage sites in the UK and overseas territories (2023). The City of Bath is exceptional in that the entire City was inscribed in 1987. The 2021 Great Spa Towns of Europe inscription is a trans-national ‘property’ covering 11 spa towns from seven countries. The city is now one of only 22 double-inscribed Sites out of the 1154 WHS globally.
The international significance and importance of Bath is therefore recognised by its two World Heritage Site inscriptions and we are looking to appoint a full-time Principal Officer, World Heritage to manage the co-ordination of these designations The main tasks are:
This is a rare, exciting and high-profile role for an experienced historic environment professional on a permanent basis. You will work within a team comprising conservation officers, planning officers, consultant advisors and other specialists as well as cross-service working with other teams such as Heritage Services, Regeneration, Transport, Housing and Sustainability. You will work closely with community representatives and relevant national bodies.
You will need experience and understanding of historic environment and World Heritage Site matters, ideally from within a local planning authority, be adept at communicating and working with a range of stakeholders – building informal networks and working with others to get the best outcome for the World Heritage Site. An understanding of the management plan process would be beneficial. You will need to have a degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant subject and demonstrate a proven track record of giving effective historic environment advice and achieving excellent results. This will include knowledge and understanding of national and local historic environment policy and legislation.
We are a happy and positive team who all work well together and support one another. If you are forward thinking, ambitious, and keen to make a real difference in a world class environment and would like to join our team, we would be delighted to hear from you.
We support flexible working with the opportunity to move between the award-winning, modern Civic Centre in Keynsham, and Council locations in Bath. Both Bath and Keynsham are well served with public transport.
Why B&NES Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. These include:
Interested to find out more?
If you are interested in this post and require more details after reading the job description or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Paula Freeland on 01225 477083
Email: development_management@bathnes.gov.uk
To apply
Please use the online application facility. For further information on applying please see “Application Form Help” page on the Jobs website.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. We have four core values which shape every aspect of our working life and how we look to the future. These values are to be Bold, Empowered, Supportive and Transparent.
Please explain in your application how you could incorporate these values into the role you are applying for.
As an equal opportunities employer, Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and is opposed to discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
Interview Date: 4 September 2023
Please note the Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register. This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role, they will be interviewed before any shortlisting or interviewing of external candidates.