Heritage Advisor

Job Purpose

**Fixed Term Contract until end of March 2026**

Salary: £32,428 + £390 per month Car Cash Allowance

Location: Home working with reporting locations of either Ellesmere Port or Burnley.

We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.

We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Heritage Advisor to join our Heritage (North) Team, part of the Heritage and Collections team, contributing heritage expertise to works in the north west.

The aim of the Heritage and Collections team is to support the work of the Trust as a whole, while conserving and enhancing the heritage of the inland waterway network. Finding simple and innovative solutions of work to ensure that the modern-day use of the waterways, their historical importance, the Trust's legal obligations and strategic priorities are met through sustainable development, conservation and enhancement of the built environment.

Working alongside the Heritage Team Manager (North), you will provide technical support on heritage issues to colleagues in a number of teams including asset engineers, geotechnical specialists, project managers, contract managers, contractors, community engagement managers and the communications team. The role will include reviewing environmental appraisals, advising on planning requirements and mitigation and liaison with conservation officers and heritage stakeholders.

See our network here ( https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network )

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

This role involves providing technical advice and support to other teams within the region. The key skills needed for the role will have been gained within the infrastructure or built heritage regulatory sectors.

The role also involves stakeholder and community engagement, and being able to communicate at a range of levels is an essential skill.

Key accountabilities:

• Provide informed advice, guidance and support to the Trust departments, covering heritage assets and the wider historic environment to ensure high standards of repair and conservation.
• Support the delivery of heritage policy and projects.
• In line with internal consultation and referral procedures, provide informed advice to the National Spatial Planning Team on relevant consultations, the identification of local assets for protection through local planning policies, and the impact and acceptability, in relevant legal and policy terms of third party development proposals on designated and non designated waterway heritage assets.
• Perform research, site visits, assessments and recording of heritage assets, identify impacts on the historic environment and report heritage incidents.
• Negotiate heritage consents, monitor heritage works, demonstrate best conservation practice and ensure works are legally compliant, to safeguard the reputation of the Trust.
• Deliver awareness-raising training, toolbox talks and facilitate practical training for the Trust staff, volunteers, contractors and stakeholder or community groups.
• Work with the Trusts fundraising and Enterprise teams to help secure additional resources for the Trust.
• Work with volunteers within their area of expertise. Act as focal point with specific knowledge of a heritage specialism for the Trust.
• Commission and instruct heritage consultants to carry out specified works or written heritage assessments, surveys or other reports as required for the Trust projects or works.
• Comply with international, national and the Trusts heritage policy and standards to ensure the Trusts heritage advice and support service is up to date and effective.
• Use the Trusts business systems and ensure all relevant information and heritage reporting data is input in a timely, consistent and accurate manner.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensure diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviours, practices , actions or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trusts policies and behaviours.

About you:

This role is based with our Heritage and Collections team , and we are looking for someone with experience of working within the heritage sector, who has a high level of expertise in practical and regulatory aspects of built heritage conservation and underpinning this, real passion for the subject. Our successful applicant may previously have worked in roles including local authority conservation officer or for a third sector heritage organisation, heritage regulator or consultancy. The Trust recognises that waterways heritage is a vital aspect of the user experience and so the successful candidate will be able engage with stakeholders at all levels using excellent communication skills.

Heritage:

• Degree or Postgraduate qualification (PG Dip,MA, MSc, PhD) in heritage conservation or equivalent in heritage discipline.
• Full membership of professional institute (IHBC, ClfA, RTPI, RICS ) or associate membership is strongly desired.

Technical:

• Experience of working in an historic environment and dealing with heritage assets.
• An interest in historic waterways, historic vessels or industrial archaeology.
• Proven experience in application of specialist knowledge within a business environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals and bodies in the heritage sector.
• Ability to perform research, assessment and recording of heritage assets.
• Expert and current knowledge of heritage legislation and guidance for England.
• Ability to evaluate and comment on design and development proposals for heritage assets.
• Working knowledge of conservation principles and philosophy and of historic building construction and appropriate methods of conservation and repair.
• Able to analyse and identify impacts of proposals and develop appropriate mitigations and controls.
• Able to influence/ negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

General:

• Good communicator to a range of audiences, ability to adapt style and content as appropriate to audience.
• Effective IT skills - familiar with and adept in working in a variety of media including GIS skills.
• Considers Health & Safety in all aspects of work.
• Driving is integral to the role - driving licence is essential and use of your own vehicle.

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What We Offer

In addition to your annual salary of £32,428 base salary + £390 Car Cash Allowance per month) , we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements. These include:

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Home working status with 'hub' facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us]]>