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Between 2006 and 2009, 0.5% of employed doctoral graduates, or 75 doctoral graduates in total, are known to have been working as conservation officers six months after graduation.

Job description

Doctoral level conservation officers are classified in the ‘other occupations' doctoral employment cluster

These related roles deal with the protection and promotion of natural and built environments. A building conservation officer deals with historic environments and buildings, and their long term care and enhancement. Conservation officers frequently work with buildings officers on listed buildings on development, planning application and conservation issues, up to a third of planning applications submitted involve conservation issues. They also work in conservation areas on developments where maintaining a distinctive character is important.

Regeneration projects also fall within this sphere, and conservation officers examine community, economic and environmental impacts and benefits; this is a field that attracts a number of doctoral graduates.

Nature conservation officers work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment, and maintain and examine protected areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs). They also often liaise with schools and other educational establishments, and take action on biodiversity.

Doctoral graduates, particularly from biological and environmental subjects, can be found in these roles, which can often be very competitive to enter.

Typical work activities

Both types of role are usually based in offices, but much of the work is outdoors and on-site. Site visits and inspections are conducted outside in all weathers. Work can often be very physically demanding, particularly for nature conservation posts.

Some typical work activities for buildings conservation officers include:

  • Assessing and recommending buildings and areas for conservation and producing area appraisals and schedules of work
  • Advising on planning applications and guiding new developments that affect the repair or alteration of historic buildings, areas and sites
  • Getting involved in regeneration projects that have community, economic and environmental benefits
  • Working alongside heritage and conservation groups as well as local and national government agencies to develop policies and strategies on building conservation
  • Canvassing public opinion and dealing with public enquiries, providing information as required
  • Providing advice and consultation to residents, landowners, councils and other bodies, which can be in the form of writing leaflets, arranging displays and giving talks
  • Planning and supervising long term environmental projects
  • Preparing reports as required on the condition of sites or buildings
  • Estimating restoration and conservation costs
  • Finding suppliers and craftspeople who have the skills and materials required to carry out work in keeping with the age of the building
  • Sourcing and applying for grants to help fund work
  • Assisting with enforcement action to protect threatened buildings or conservation areas.

Some typical work activities for nature conservation officers include:

  • Promoting and implementing local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local/national statutory and voluntary organisations
  • Contributing to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input in environmental impact assessments
  • Providing advice to clients, community groups, landowners, planners and developers
  • Preparing and implementing annual management plans based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
  • Contributing to the selection of, and assisting with, casework for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
  • Evaluating and monitoring features of nature conservation interest in habitats and sites
  • Dealing with enquiries from the public

Entry requirements

For nature conservancy officers, the following degree subjects may increase your chances:

  • Physical geography
  • Ecology
  • Botany
  • Biology
  • Surveying
  • Marine sciences/oceanography
  • Planning

Many employers now see a Masters as a minimum entry requirement and considerable statistical and research skills are needed for senior posts; doctoral graduates may find themselves at a distinct advantage.

Most advertised posts ask for experience and it is assumed that new entrants to the profession will have experience, often as a volunteer. The importance of paid or voluntary experience cannot be over emphasised. Many people working in this sector started in voluntary work, building up contacts and experience.

Potential candidates need to show evidence of the following skills:

  • Administration
  • IT
  • Knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • The ability to communicate effectively through talks, presentations, leading walks and producing leaflets.

Buildings conservation officers generally need qualifications accredited by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)

Qualifications in the following subjects may increase your chances of success:

  • Archaeology
  • Planning
  • Building/construction
  • Civil/structural engineering
  • Surveying
  • Architecture

Postgraduate qualifications are becoming increasingly common and for those roles with a significant research component, a doctoral qualification may be an advantage.

Relevant work experience can be crucial and a record of relevant voluntary work can be a distinct advantage, even though most such positions are unpaid. This can have other advantages, however, as not all new positions are advertised, and it is not uncommon for jobs to be filled through speculative applications and word of mouth, especially with small organisations or in the voluntary sector and good networks can improve chances of success.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

  • A strong interest in and knowledge of historic architecture, building methods and techniques
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to buildings and conservation
  • Confidence working with measurements and budget calculations
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of other professionals
  • A methodical approach, good analytical skills, accuracy and attention to detail
  • An eye for design, the ability to sketch designs and plans and an understanding of technical drawings
  • Organisational, negotiation and project management skills
  • The ability to produce clear and concise reports

Salary

  • Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000 - £26,000 for buildings conservation officers and £15,000 - £18,000 for nature conservation officers
  • Range of typical salaries for those with experience and/or qualifications: £26,000 - £36,000 for buildings conservation officers, and £17,000 to £29,000 for nature conservation officers.
  • Range of typical salaries at senior level: £40,000+

Salaries vary considerably according to the location, sector and size of the employing organisation, with salaries normally higher in London. Higher earnings are possible with progression to senior management or head of department positions, or in private or consultancy roles.

There may be considerable travel within a working day, and absence from home overnight may occasionally be necessary

Sector and disciplinary information

Sector information

Doctoral graduates from 2006-9 working in this occupation were known to be employed in the following profiled sectors six months after graduation:

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering conservation jobs were:

Career stories

None available

Useful links

Buildings conservation

Nature conservation