Summary

 We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment.  We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.

Retrofit of existing buildings is vital to deliver the UK’s climate change and net zero targets.  Historic England have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a Retrofit Architect/Building Surveyor in our Historic Building Climate Change Adaptation Team.

For our generation, ensuring heritage buildings can play their part in a low carbon sustainable future is one of the most significant contributions we can make to preserving the country’s heritage.  We believe this is a necessary and achievable goal.  The twin objectives of protecting the unique qualities of historic buildings and improving their energy and carbon performance are both compatible and achievable.

As part of our Technical Conservation Team in National Specialist Services Department, you will play a key role in delivering a programme of technical guidance and training that will improve knowledge, reduce skills gaps and increase the confidence of heritage professionals and decision makers on all aspects of retrofit.

This is a fixed term contract until March 2025. This role will be based in one of our offices - we offer hybrid working where you will work from the office and from home.

What you will be doing:

You will support the Head of Historic Building Climate Change Adaptation in developing Historic England’s approach to retrofit and the climate change adaption of the historic building stock.  You will be expected to provide authoritative evidence-based advice and guidance on best practice methods for the retrofit and adaptation of historic buildings. Clients will include colleagues in Historic England, Government departments and the wider building conservation sector and beyond to ensure that interventions are well-informed and in accordance with best practice.  This may include managing, co-ordinating and supervising commissioned specialist consultants. 

You will be supporting the delivery of a programme of technical guidance and training on best practice methods of maintenance, repair and adaptation of the historic building stock to meet the challenges of a net zero emission economy and to avoid maladaptation.  As well as the production of free downloadable advice and guidance and a programme of training for priority audiences, this will include where appropriate the use of films, webinars and blogs as well as targeted lectures, events and media activity to meet the needs of a variety of audiences from the general public to conservation specialists.

This is a Full-time 36 hours a week post.

Who we are looking for:

• You will have a professional qualification in architecture or building surveying, with current ARB registration or chartered RICS membership with accreditation in building conservation, or a commitment to gain conservation accreditation within 12 months of appointment

• Extensive, appropriate and wide-ranging practical experience of delivering retrofit and the repair, alteration and adaptation of traditional buildings

• Experience of diagnosing defects in historic buildings and specifying works to retrofit them to meet current regulations and standards

• Familiarity with retrofit standards and guidance such as EnerPHit, PAS2035/38 and LETI

• Good understanding of factors affecting building performance, including the interactions between the building fabric, services, occupant behaviour, and internal and external environment

• Confident and adaptable communication style, able to work constructively with a wide range of internal and external partners. Experience of public speaking, delivery of training and presentations

• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to write reports, policy statements, guidance, and articles for a range of audiences.

  The role will require travel to HE offices and locations throughout England.   Some locations may not be serviced by public transport.

  The role may require visiting/inspecting sites where climbing scaffolding and negotiating confined spaces will be necessary.

  Due to the national remit of the role, attendance at meetings and site visits may occasionally involve overnight stays.

Why work for Historic England

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 26% contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at ResourcingTeam@Historicengland.org.uk.

Provisional interview dates: 9th and 11th May 2023

National - £36,000 - £40,000, Greater London+ - £38,000 - £42,000, Inner London - £40,000 - £43,500.

For a copy of the full Job Description please follow the link below;

https://historicengland.org.uk/content/job-descriptions-hr/retrofit-architect-surveyor-climate-change-adaptation/