Historic Environment Advisor

Job Title: Historic Environment Advisor

Starting Salary: £34,434 progressing to £37,280 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37

Location: Countywide

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Growth & Environment

This is an exciting opportunity to advance a career in Local Government Archaeology as we work to conserve the historic environment of Hertfordshire.

You will be joining a dedicated, multi-disciplinary LEADS team (Landscape, Ecology, Archaeology, Design and Sustainability), addressing planning holistically in line with Hertfordshire County Council’s OneHCC ambition and RISE values.

We are an experienced group of archaeologists and historic environment professionals providing high‑quality information and advice to the County Council, Hertfordshire Local Planning Authorities, developers, and the public.

You will be part of an incredibly friendly family of environmental professionals working toward a common goal, joining at an exciting time as we grow and embed ourselves within the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation programme.

You will ensure the historic environment is a key consideration within planning, with appropriate, high‑quality protection, enhancement and mitigation, including archaeological assessment, fieldwork, reporting and the publication of results.

• Provide high-quality, timely professional archaeological advice to Hertfordshire planning authorities and developers on strategic planning, master planning, planning proposals, and pre-application consultations.
• Identify and prioritise proposals with high archaeological impact and/or high social or political importance.
• Support colleagues to implement the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Local Plans and appropriate heritage conservation in relevant planning applications.
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with local planning authorities and raise the prominence of the historic environment in Hertfordshire’s placemaking and design agenda.
• Contribute to monitoring reports for local authorities and external bodies, recording casework information to the required standard.
• Embed opportunities for long-term public benefit and outreach within development-led archaeology.
• Proactively engage with local, regional and national networks and research frameworks; represent HCC at meetings and forums (e.g., ALGAO and CIfA).
• Assist in the development of the LEADS service, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Historic Environment advice and support.
• Embed sustainability aspirations of the County and District councils in everything we do.
• Represent the historic environment in pre-planning advice, master planning and policy-making, helping to give a sense of place, identity and belonging.

• Extensive experience in development-led archaeology and/or historic environment planning.
• Recognised degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in a related discipline, or appropriate relevant work experience.
• Good working knowledge of national policy and legislation covering the historic environment and spatial planning, including heritage protection legislation and Historic Environment Records.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written (formal reports, letters, social media/web content, presentations, and talks).
• Strong negotiation skills with a justified and pragmatic approach to achieve appropriate outcomes.
• Sound time management, able to work under pressure while managing and prioritising own workload.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team across multiple organisations and disciplines (Historic Environment and wider LEADS team).
• Personal enthusiasm and drive to raise understanding of the historic environment’s benefits in placemaking and planning.
• Ability to tackle complex problems methodically using own initiative, while also working positively within a team to implement change.
• Commitment to demonstrating HCC’s values (RISE).
• Full driving licence and transport.

• Postgraduate qualification in an appropriate archaeologically related subject (or willingness to work towards one).
• Understanding of roles of other environmental stakeholders (e.g., Historic England, ALGAO,…