Archaeological Planning Officer

Contract type: Permanent and full-time (37 hours per week).
Salary: £33,082-£37,370 per annum depending on experience.
Location: Welshpool, Powys (hybrid/home working flexible).

The postholder will be based in the Welshpool office, but we are happy to consider hybrid/ home working through agreement with the line manager.

Heneb is a charitable organisation committed to preserving and promoting Wales’s rich archaeological heritage. The Advisory Services section of the organisation, funded principally by local and national government, encompasses the Historic Environment Record, heritage management and planning advice. These are structured as national services delivered on a regional basis. Due to a retirement, we are seeking an archaeological planning officer for our north-east and mid-Wales region.

The core purpose of the job is to ensure the effective protection, management and promotion of the historic environment of Wales (with a specific focus on north-east and mid-Wales) within a development context. The postholder will work as part of a small, dedicated team, providing archaeological planning advice for local planning authorities and monitoring development-led archaeological practice in the region.

The day-to-day work involves providing advice at a casework level, with strategic advice on policy consultations and so on, as they arise. The postholder will be responsible for identifying when archaeological interventions are appropriate, with reference to relevant planning policy and legislation, and utilising a wide range of information resources. The role includes setting the scope of the archaeological response required, monitoring the subsequent work and ensuring that professional standards are maintained through to completion.

The level of autonomy and strategic input will depend on experience, with training provided as necessary.

• To provide written and verbal archaeological advice to local planning authorities, statutory undertakers and other parties on development proposals within planning and equivalent frameworks
• To liaise with planning officers, developers, applicants, agents and consultants as well as attending in person and online meetings, as required
• To provide archaeological advice to local planning authorities in relation to Local Development Plans and similar strategic planning documents
• To specify and monitor development-led archaeological work including writing detailed briefs, reviewing written schemes of investigation and reports, undertaking field visits and attending meetings virtually or in person
• As required, provide representations/evidence at planning appeals and public inquiries

• Participate as a representative of Heneb’s Planning team and Heneb’s Clwyd Powys region in an external/strategic context, for example relevant regional conservation officers’ group, ALGAO.
• To act as a point of contact for enquiries from members of the public and other interested parties, in relation to historic environment matters arising from development proposals
• To liaise closely with colleagues within the Advisory Services section to ensure consistency and ethical delivery of services, and to promote the work of the section
• Assist with the provision of training and outreach to partners, users and stakeholders

• Maintain appropriate casework records within existing systems
• Support the national lead for planning in the preparation of reports and statistics for internal and external users
• Work within the guidelines of the staff handbook and all Heneb policies and procedures
• Deal with information with due regard to confidentiality and data protection
• Support colleagues as required and establish good working relationships, both internally and externally
• Participate in the identification of training requirements and undertake training and development in line with agreed appraisals
• Attend Heneb internal meetings, as and when required
• Adhere to Heneb administration and financial requirements
• Heneb is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of…