Conservation officer

Conservation officers work to maintain the historic or natural fabric of urban and rural areas. Historic buildings conservation officers advise property owners on alterations or improvements to buildings.

Environmental conservation involves a wide range of activities, from recycling household waste to habitat management.

Did you know?
Buildings were first listed for conservation purposes in the UK in 1950. The French had been classifying historic buildings for the previous hundred years, while in Britain conservation had been the preserve of pressure groups such as the Georgian Group, which was established to protect the country’s Georgian architectural heritage.

Facts and Figures

  • Starting salary:

    Between £17,000 and £26,000

  • Senior level salary:

    Around £45,000

  • Education:

    Entry is open to graduates from a range of academic backgrounds. There is no specific degree needed for a career as a conservation officer. Appropriate courses include planning, building and construction, civil or structural engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape architecture or design, history of art, history with an architectural component and archaeology. BTEC or SQA qualifications or HNDs or foundation degrees in subjects such as countryside or environmental management, conservation and environment, environmental sciences, ecology and geography are useful. A postgraduate qualification is becoming increasingly common, though not necessary

  • Skills:

    You'll need a wide range of skills, including an understanding of planning, historic buildings, relevant policies and law.

  • Likely employer type:

    Local authorities, private sector consultants, lottery funded schemes

  • Opportunities:

    Most local authority planning departments employ historic buildings officers or conservation officers. Positions are regularly advertised in publications such as The Guardian and the weekly trade magazine, Planning.

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