Case studies : Conservation officer: Shaun

Shaun is a graduate principal conservation officer with a local authority. He completed a degree in archaeology and also has a qualification in urban and regional planning.

After completing my degree in archaeology I had a few jobs before I enrolled back at university to do a post grad diploma in urban and regional planning, and it was while I was studying that I applied for an assistant conservation officer post which fortunately I was successful with.

I found that the combination of archaeology and planning certainly helped me get the job, and in fact, it ensured that I had a good background for most aspects of the role and ultimately enabled me to progress to a conservation officer role, and then onto my current role as a principal conservation officer.

Every day is different, but a typical working day will generally include carrying out site visits to listed buildings, and buildings in conservation areas to give pre-planning application advice. I also assess and give professional advice on a submitted planning or listed building consent application for the Development Control Planners.

The role has developed from basically just providing professional advice to development control to working with large developers on schemes in conservation areas or settings of listed buildings to ensure that design/layout and materials are sensitive. Another new area of work is seeking funding for grant schemes for numerous bodies.

I really enjoy advising householders about architecture and seeing a new development or restoration of a listed building done to a high standard, and knowing you were part of that scheme. I also like the variety of people you meet from tradesmen, architects, developers, other planners and householders.

It’s more challenging when people do not see the benefits of conservation and coming to logger heads over a scheme, and having to use persuasion and encouragement for a developer to go the extra mile for the sake of a historic building.

In terms of ambitions I see conservation as being a team that should be developed to ensure that advice, guidance and enforcement can be continually carried out to high standards. To be able to lead a larger team that could achieve a lot more for conservation would be satisfying.

As for what advice I would give to students who want to get into this as a career, I think you need to have a passion for architecture as you will not learn everything you need to know through courses. You will also be continually learning through your career with this job and having to move with changes to legislation and new building methods and materials.

Also try and get work experience within with councils and heritage bodies as many officers gain their job this way and the body/council will pay your to put you through your heritage/planning qualification.