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Job description

Historic Environment Division (HED) is within the Engaged Communities Core business group in the Department for Communities and works in collaboration with a very wide range of individuals and organisations in the public, private and third sectors to ensure that, together, we record, protect, conserve and promote our heritage in ways which support and sustain our economy and our communities. We provide expertise and skills, seeking to improve understanding, caring for and appreciation of our heritage, and to ensure a suitable balance between respecting a rich past and building a successful future.

Responsibilities

• The main duties of the post holder will include office work and travel to heritage assets across Northern Ireland, including lone and independent working. Access to a form of transport will be required to fulfil the responsibilities of this post to:
• Support the management work of a Senior Conservation Architect as part of an architectural survey team to scope, survey, photograph, research and compile historic building records, leading to objective group evaluations.
• Prepare recommendations for submission to the Department’s statutory advisory bodies, and manage the records to their conclusion.
• Support the work of a Senior Conservation Architect to undertake engagement with local councils and third parties, as part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) Process to ensure that positive working relationships are developed and maintained,
• to underpin effective policy direction. Respond to LDP consultations within timeframes as set by individual local authorities.
• Support the management work of a Senior Area Conservation Architect as part of an HED Planning Response Team for a defined geographical area, and provide Development Control planning consultation responses
• Listed Building Consent application responses and contribute to responses to Area Plan consultations.
• Support the work of a Senior Area Conservation Architect to deliver Historic Environment Fund schemes for a defined geographical area, providing expert advice to recognised conservation standards,
• and certifying completion of works, to enable interim or final grant payments to be made. Consider and comment on funding schemes by other agencies such as DSD/ Challenge Fund and NIHE.
• Support the work of a Senior Conservation Architect to manage/contribute to conservation and management projects of heritage assets, including those which are in State Care or designated as Scheduled Monuments through professional advice,
• specification of works and monitoring of activities
• Support the work of a Senior Area Conservation Architect to develop strategic projects such as the Historic Environment Fund, Protocol for the Care of the Government Historic Estate
• European Heritage Open Day events, Owners’ Forum, Heritage at Risk, Skills Development, Review of Legislation, Climate Change, Thatch, and Advice/Guidance publications
• Contribute to Branch management by contributing to regular team discussion and consideration of significant development proposals or changes to planning policy/ technical requirements.
• Support the work of a Senior Area Conservation Architect to liaise with applicants /owners/planning applicants as first point of contact through phone calls, general e-mail queries and by letter. Provide input for Ministerial correspondence, etc.
• The above list is not comprehensive. The emphasis on particular duties may vary over time according to business needs.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: Be on the live register of the Architects Registration Board (ARB) of the United Kingdom.
• AND Have at least one year’s post registration experience in the practice of architecture.

Desirable Skills

• In addition, applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview, the following shortlisting criterion will be used:-
• Knowledge of best conservation practice, for example, work undertaken in accordance with BS7913 The Principles of the Conservation of Historic Buildings.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 16th October 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.