Design and Conservation Officer

About The Role

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Design & Conservation Officer, with a focus on heritage, to join our Design & Conservation Team, who are essential in enabling meaningful change and ensuring optimal delivery of sustainable development that incorporates high design standards and protects, preserves and enhances our historic environment. The role is based in our fast paced, enthusiastic, varied and inherently interesting Development Management Service within the Design & Conservation Team.

Islington is a busy inner London borough and is one of the most densely populated local authorities in England. It contains some of the country's most deprived neighbourhoods in close proximity to areas of very considerable wealth. This brings challenges, however the Council has a clear vision to make Islington fairer and create a place where everyone, whatever their background, has the same opportunity to reach their potential and enjoy a good quality of life.
Ambitious and progressive planning policies have been adopted and are being further developed that build on long established aims to maximise affordable housing delivery, secure sustainable and net zero carbon development and deliver the highest quality built environment, whilst respecting, celebrating and protecting the borough's unique character and heritage.

The built environment, new development and Development Management are key to delivering these ambitious objectives. In this role, as a Design & Conservation Officer, you will help drive and deliver the aims, objectives and policies of the adopted Local Plan and Islington Council's key missions. You will carry a caseload of application and pre-application proposals, while also providing expert heritage, conservation and planning advice to colleagues from other disciplines, residents and local businesses. There are also potential opportunities to undertake exciting project work.
Successful candidates will have professional experience of Design & Conservation work, with a focus on heritage matters, including in relation to considering works to listed buildings and within conservation areas, together with a good understanding of Development Management functions and knowledge of sustainability measures to address climate change. You should have excellent team working skills, be collaborative and able to demonstrate stakeholder management skills.

To apply you will have the following minimum qualifications:
• A Bachelors Degree in a compatible/relevant fields
You will also have the skills and knowledge to:
• Assess, negotiate amendments to and write up detailed recommendations at delegated and Committee levels on a range of complex listed building applications;
• Write and support the delivery of appeal statements, applying all relevant planning policies and material planning considerations and to explain complex matters verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner;
• Taking the lead and working collaboratively with teams and colleagues across the Council on listed building applications and works within conservation areas, and to produce guidance notes and briefing documents;
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues across the Council and from other organisations;
• Look for and find creative solutions, pay attention to detail and take responsibility for delivering high quality work;
• Work well under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines; and
• Work productively with stakeholders including residents, councillors, contractors and other partners.

If this is you then we want to hear from you.
The attached job specification provides useful details and information relating to the role within the Design and Conservation Team.

For an informal discussion about the available role, please contact Linda Aitken by email initially at [email protected] (where a Teams/phone call can be arranged if sought), Team Manager of Design and Conservation. you for your understanding.

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn't be clearer: we serve. It's in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out 'CARE', which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone's identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The post is subject to a basic DBS check, qualifications check and 3/5 years referencing.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.