Hertfordshire County Council
Historic Environment Advisor
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Job Introduction
Job Title: Historic Environment Advisor
Starting Salary: £34,434 progressing to £37,280 per annum (pro rata for part time) - Pay award pending
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage - Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Growth & Environment
About The Team
This is an exciting opportunity to advance a career in Local Government Archaeology as we work to conserve the historic environment of the county of Hertfordshire. You will be helping to protect our known and unknown archaeological remains, historic buildings and historic landscapes. Crucially, you will also be responsible for identifying for conservation archaeological remains which are currently unknown or poorly understood and ensuring appropriate archaeological standards are maintained when investigations are carried out. This is a unique opportunity to have a real impact on the historic environment of Hertfordshire for its communities.
For the right candidate this is also unique opportunity to be part of the dedicated multi-disciplinary LEADS team, addressing planning holistically across Landscape, Ecology, Archaeology, Design and Sustainability in line with Hertfordshire County Councils cooperate ambition to become “OneHCC”. You will be encouraged to explore innovative and creative ways to approach wider priorities, such as climate change, education, public engagement, place-making and sustainability in meeting with Hertfordshire County Councils “RISE” values.
You will be joining a team of experienced archaeologists and historic environment professionals providing high-quality information and advice to the County Council and Hertfordshire Local Planning Authorities, developers and the public. The role involves ensuring that the historic environment is a key consideration when applications for planning permissions are considered, and appropriate high quality, best practice protection, enhancement and mitigation are properly undertaken including archaeological assessment, fieldwork, reporting and publication of results.
You will be part of an incredibly friendly family of dedicated environmental professionals all working toward a common goal. You will also join the team at a very exciting time as we look to grow and embed ourselves within the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation programme. This is a unique opportunity to have a real impact on the historic environment of Hertfordshire for the long-term benefit of its communities, whilst also learning new cross over skills from our partner disciplines such as ecology and landscape.
About The Role
The successful post holder should be experienced in the field of development-led archaeology and/or the historic environment in planning with at least five years professional experience. You will provide high-quality information and advice to the County Council and Hertfordshire local planning authorities, developers and the public to ensure that the historic environment is a key consideration when applications for planning permissions are considered, and ensure that site surveys and appropriate protection, enhancement and mitigation are properly undertaken.
The role is currently hybrid with a minimum of one working day per week in council offices, although this may change subject to future needs and will require the ability to undertake site visits in areas not supported by public transport. Opportunities for continued professional development and training are provided on an ad-hoc basis throughout the year. Previous examples have included attendance and presentations at conferences, including the CIFA annual conference, talks to local groups, public archaeology excavation and open days. In 2025 The Hertfordshire Historic Environment Team was shortlisted for a CBA National Archaeology Achievement Award for its Membership of CIFA is supported.
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You will represent the interests of the historic environment when supporting pre-planning advice, master planning and policy making, playing a role in giving a sense of place, identity and belonging. Your expertise and knowledge will help planners, developers and designers to improve the health and resilience of Hertfordshire’s historic environment.
As part of our Historic Environment team, you will:
- Provide high-quality, timely archaeological advice to Hertfordshire planning authorities, developers and other stakeholders on planning applications, strategic developments, masterplans, pre-application enquiries and land-use change proposals, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policy and professional standards.
- Identify and prioritise development proposals with significant archaeological, social or political impact, ensuring appropriate consideration of heritage assets.
- Support planning authorities and colleagues in delivering the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Local Plans and wider heritage conservation objectives.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with local planning authorities and key stakeholders, helping to raise the profile of the historic environment within Hertfordshire's placemaking and design agenda.
- Contribute to performance monitoring and reporting for local authorities and external bodies, ensuring casework is accurately recorded and maintained to required standards.
- Promote opportunities for public engagement, education and long-term community benefit arising from development-led archaeology.
- Represent Hertfordshire County Council at local, regional and national forums, including professional bodies such as the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA).
- Actively engage with professional networks and research initiatives, keeping up to date with developments in the sector and sharing best practice.
- Support the ongoing development and improvement of the LEADS service, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and customer experience.
- Champion sustainability and contribute to the environmental ambitions of Hertfordshire County Council and its district partners in all aspects of your work.
About You
Essential:
- Experience – at least 5 years in a development-led archaeology and/or the historic environment in planning
- Recognised degree level qualification (or equivalent) in a related discipline or have appropriate work experience in a relevant discipline.
- Good working knowledge of relevant national policy and legislation covering the historic environment and spatial planning, including an understanding of heritage protection legislation and Historic Environment Records
- The ability to communicate well with a variety of audiences verbally and in writing. You are comfortable with a range of styles e.g. formal reports, formal letters, articles for social media and websites as well as being willing to give formal presentations and informal talks. You will be able to share your passion for Archaeology in an engaging way with a variety of audiences
- The skills and ability to negotiate with external parties. You will be able to take a justified and pragmatic approach in order to achieve appropriate outcomes
- Sound time management skills and the ability to work within set timeframes. You will be able to work under pressure while managing and prioritising your own workload
- Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, you will be able to work as part of teams from multiple organisations focused on projects as well with colleagues from your own discipline and the wider LEADS team
- Personal enthusiasm and drive to help raise understanding of the benefits and importance of the historic environment and see it reflected in today’s placemaking and planning
- You will be able to tackle complex problems in a methodical manner using your own initiative but also able to work positively within a team to carry out tasks and implement change, both within HCC and with external partnership bodies
- You will understand and be committed to demonstrating HCC’s values.
- A full driving licence and transport
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Desirable:
- A post graduate qualification in an appropriate archaeologically related subject (consideration will be given to those willing to work towards an appropriate post graduate qualification)
- An understanding of the roles of other environmental stakeholders (e.g. Historic England,ALGAO, academics and local archaeological groups)
- Experience of archaeological fieldwork and recording, and an understanding of the way in which archaeological projects, including post-excavation and reporting function
- Thorough working knowledge of the use of Arc GISPro and database packages
- Experience in collating and analysing data, generating statistics, and producing detailed and accurate reports.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is Level 9. Please locate the job profile here:
Job profiles: Technical services
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Daniel.Phillips@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview Date: TBC
Benefits of working for us
How To Apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional Information
We are changing
Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.
LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Driving Required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.
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