Historic Environment Officer

Permanent
Full time 37 hours per week

Help Protect Devon's Extraordinary Heritage

Are you passionate about archaeology, heritage and the historic environment? Do you want to work in one of the most archaeologically rich counties in England, helping to safeguard recorded heritage that spans from the Ice Age to the Cold War?

Devon County Council is looking for a Historic Environment Officer to join our Historic Environment Team and help conserve, enhance and promote understanding of Devon's remarkable historic environment.

Devon is home to an exceptional concentration of heritage assets. The Devon and Dartmoor Historic Environment Record contains information on around 111,000 archaeological sites, historic buildings and landscapes, ranging from prehistoric monuments and Roman settlements to industrial heritage and military remains. The county contains nearly 1,700 Scheduled Monuments, more than 21,600 Listed Buildings, 50 Registered Historic Parks and Gardens, and 10 Protected Wreck Sites. More than 500 heritage assets are currently identified as being at risk, creating both challenges and opportunities for conservation and positive management. The county's heritage includes internationally important sites and landscapes: Dartmoor contains one of Britain's most significant prehistoric landscapes, with extensive stone rows, circles, settlements and field systems, and a rich legacy of medieval settlement and tin mining; the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site recognises the global importance of Devon's mining heritage; and Exeter's Roman and medieval archaeology has led to its designation as one of only six Areas of Archaeological Importance in England.

As part of Devon County Council's Environmental Sustainability Group, and supporting Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Conservation, Planning and Land Management Service, you'll help ensure that this rich and distinctive heritage is understood, protected and celebrated for future generations. The team manages the Historic Environment Record in partnership with Dartmoor National Park; provides specialist advice to Devon County Council and other planning authorities (including Dartmoor National Park Authority), developers and landowners; contributes to major infrastructure projects; and works with partners to improve public access to and understanding of Devon's heritage.

The role is based at County Hall, Exeter and will provide a service for Dartmoor National Park for two days a week, working from the National Park’s headquarters in Bovey Tracey at least one day a week.

About the Role

You will:

• Maintain and develop the Devon and Dartmoor Historic Environment Record, interpreting archaeological information and ensuring records meet national standards.
• Manage and process the backlog of data that currently exists and input into the Historic Environment Record.
• Respond to enquiries from developers, consultants, researchers and members of the public.
• Collaborate with more senior colleagues to provide specialist historic environment advice to development management, strategic planning and infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with more senior colleagues to support landowners through agri-environment and land management schemes, helping to conserve heritage assets and historic landscapes.
• Work with organisations including Historic England, National Parks, National Landscapes, museums, universities and community groups.
• Help increase public understanding and enjoyment of Devon's archaeology and heritage through outreach, events and engagement activities.
• Support projects that improve the condition, management and understanding of Devon and Dartmoor's heritage assets.

We're Looking For

We're seeking someone with:

• A degree in Archaeology or a related discipline.
• Experience analysing and interpreting historic environment information.
• Experience working with archaeological or historic environment datasets and records.
• GIS and database skills, together with confidence using Office 365 applications.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• The ability to manage their own workload, work collaboratively and deliver to deadlines.

Ideally, you'll also have experience of planning, land management or agri-environment schemes, and an understanding of how the historic environment contributes to wider environmental objectives.

Why Devon?

This role offers the opportunity to work across an extraordinary range of heritage interests:

• One of England's largest and most complex Historic Environment Records.
• Internationally important archaeological landscapes.
• Major infrastructure and development projects generating nationally significant archaeological discoveries.
• Innovative community archaeology, Monument Management Schemes and heritage outreach programmes.

We offer flexible working, a supportive team environment, and the opportunity to make a real difference.

Interviews are expected to be Monday 2nd November 2026.

To find out more, please see the Job Description and Person Specification. For an informal discussion, contact Bill Horner, Historic Environment Manager, on [phone removed] or [email removed].

How to apply

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit