CBA LISTED BUILDINGS CASEWORKER FOR WALES

Part-time role (two days a week) based in York,initially until 31 March 2016, salary £22-24k FTE

The Council for British Archaeology

The CBA is a UK-wide, non-profit making charity, nationally influential for over 65 years as a champion of public interest in archaeology.

We are a growing membership organisation serving people of all ages and organisations who provide links with a wide range of communities and networks

We have a national role in England and Wales as an amenity society fostering active stewardship of the archaeological heritage

We promote understanding of the past, involvement in archaeology and care for the historic environment through formal and informal learning

We facilitate and support research with unrivalled access to a network of expertise across the historic and natural environment sectors

Our vision: archaeology for all

We want everyone to know that they can take part in enjoying, understanding and caring for the historic environment and why it matters.

BACKGROUND

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) was established in 1944 in recognition of the need to promote the requirements of archaeology in the aftermath of the Second World War. The original Council defined one of its objectives as the “safeguarding of all kinds of archaeological material and the strengthening of existing measures for the care of ancient and historic buildings, monuments and antiquities”. The importance of gaining public support for and understanding of archaeology was also a key early issue for the CBA.

Over the second half of the twentieth century the CBA strengthened its role and diversified, working in partnership with an increasing range of organisations across the historic environment sector. The CBA was itself responsible for setting up a number of independent bodies to represent specific areas of the archaeological discipline, such as the national period societies, the Institute for Archaeologists, and the Society for Church Archaeology.

The move to more collaborative working across the heritage sector has led the CBA now to work in partnership with several umbrella bodies, such as The Archaeology Forum, The Heritage Alliance and the Joint Committee of National Amenity Societies, and also to link across to the with the natural environment sector through active membership of Wildlife & Countryside Link.

The CBA has a wide institutional membership composed of societies, archaeological organisations, university archaeology departments, local authority archaeology services, museums and other groups. Through its partnerships with Archaeology Scotland, CBA Wales, and CBA Regional Groups in England, the CBA works to support public engagement with archaeology. The CBA has various projects and initiatives which support community archaeology and the delivery of ‘archaeology for all’, bringing together professionals and volunteers to enhance knowledge and sustain our archaeological heritage.

The CBA has always been innovative in its approach to archaeology which has led to the initiation of whole new areas of archaeological research over the last 65 years, for example in the field of industrial archaeology, in promoting building archaeology, the study of twentieth century military remains and the application of new information technology.

The inclusive approach to heritage protection which has been adopted in recent public policy reflects the CBA’s long-established practice in valuing all aspects of the historic environment. This inclusive philosophy towards all elements of the historic environment and their study through archaeology will be fundamental to the work of the post.

Our conservation role

From its formation the CBA has been an influential voice in archaeological conservation. Today we are concerned with the historic environment as a whole – from sub-surface deposits to buildings and landscapes, and with what is locally distinctive as well as nationally important.

CBA has a statutory role as one of the six national amenity societies that local authorities are required to notify of applications for the demolition or partial demolition of listed buildings in England and Wales.In Wales, Cadw also notifies the CBA of scheduled monument consent cases.

The notification process allows the CBA to assess consent applications and to engage in selected cases to protect and promote the importance of the local as well as the national heritage. Last year in England and Wales we received around 4000 applications for listed building consent and we responded on a number of key cases. The CBA champions an archaeological approach to understanding historic buildings and their context and considers all periods and grades of buildings. Its particular interest has been in multi-period buildings, especially vernacular and industrial structures.

Job Title:LISTED BUILDINGS CASEWORKER FOR WALES

The main purpose of the job will be to:

co-ordinate and advise on heritage casework in Wales;

help to maintain the CBA casework database by adding details of new cases from Wales and England;

co-ordinate and liaise with casework volunteers;

encourage and support local community and amenity group involvement as informed local advocates for the historic environment;

build capacity and skills in the voluntary community for championing the historic environment in Wales, building on the existing historic building volunteer and Agents network;

Responsible to:

CBA Director

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Take the lead (together with the Listed Building Caseworker for England) for the CBA in national advocacy and campaigning for the protection of the significance of historic assets, their setting and context, and in championing community involvement with caring for the local heritage, including regular contributions to CBA publications and other relevant publications
  1. Promote an archaeological approach to the understanding and care of historic assets through publications, outreach and training, with an emphasis on vernacular and industrial building history.
  1. Management of the CBA’s statutory role as a national amenity society in Wales, in liaison with the Listed Building Caseworker for England, and the Casework Panel, and in conjunction with the other National Amenity Societies:
  2. Assessing and responding strategically and selectively to listed building consent notified to the CBA (in liaison with local planning authorities; applicants; other national amenity societies and heritage bodies, as appropriate; and taking advice from the CBA Casework Panel)
  3. Maintaining the CBA casework database by adding details of new cases from Wales and England, and liaising with volunteers to facilitate the its running
  4. Developing and maintaining a shared casework record system in conjunction with other National Amenity Societies
  1. Encouraging and developing active local engagement with cases by alerting local volunteers, organisations, CBA Groups and other amenity groups to cases for comment and local action
  2. Developing and maintaining online information and guidance to support local campaigning and advocacy for heritage protection.
  1. Advise on heritage and conservation policy, particularly in relation to the study and care of historic buildings and ancient monuments in Wales.
  1. Provide regular reports on progress and current issues to the Director, CBA Trustees, CBA Casework Panel, and to funding partners such as Cadw.
  2. Liaise and collaborate with other archaeological, conservation, architectural and environmental bodies (including national & local amenity societies and voluntary groups, Cadw) and represent CBA as required
  1. Respond to requests and enquiries from the public.
  1. Be or become conversant with, and make use of, in-house computer hardware and software.
  1. Perform such other reasonable duties as may be requested.

Person specification:

The post requires a person with an excellent general knowledge of the practice and principles of historic environment conservation and a sound understanding of the current planning and heritage protection systems in Wales.

A demonstrable interest and experience in the conservation and archaeological significance of historic buildings and historic areas will be essential. Qualifications should include education to degree level in a relevant subject area such as heritage management, historic environment conservation or archaeology. A relevant post graduate qualification and membership of IHBC and/or CIfA is also desirable.

The primary focus of the post will be in working with listed building and scheduled monument consent casework and developing the CBA’s role as an amenity society with partners. Good communication and ‘people’ skills are important, with a positive attitude and friendly, approachable style. You should be able to show how your experience relates to the voluntary sector, community involvement and the historic environment, and that you can work successfully with others. Enthusiasm, energy, team working skills and willingness to share and support others in a multi-disciplinary working environment will be important attributes.

We are also looking for

  • Good literacy skills, ability to write in plain English and present information clearly and concisely
  • Articulate and persuasive presentational skills
  • Familiarity with the use of web-based and digital information resources and communication and ability to maximise the use that can be made of these
  • Self-motivated and flexible attitude to working.

A current driving licence is essential, with access to a car; ability to travel away from office/home, occasionally overnight, and to accommodate some evening and weekend working.

Salary and Contract

Salary: starting salary in the range £22,000-£24,000 p.a. (full time equivalent), plus attractive pension with an additional 10% of gross salary available as an employer’s contribution to a pension scheme.

Working Conditions

Hours: 14 hours per week at the CBA office in York. The normal working day is 9.00am – 5.00pm and flexi-time working is also available. The post will involve some evening and weekend working, for which time off is allowed in lieu, and travel to meetings. The post carries a holiday entitlement of 10 days with additional days at Christmas, and attaching to some bank holidays.

Applying for this role

Application is by letter with associated CV and CPD log (if available). The letter should address how you meet the Person Specification for the post.

Please mark your application for the attention of Dr Mike Heyworth MBE and send three copies by post to The Council for British Archaeology, Beatrice de Cardi House, 66 Bootham, York, YO30 7BZ, or (preferably) send by e-mail using ‘job application CBA Listed Buildings Caseworker for Wales’ as the subject line. If applying by e-mail, please ensure that you request a read receipt.

The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on Tuesday 2 June 2015.

The CBA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sectors of society.

For the interviews, which will take place in mid June 2015, candidates will be asked to prepare a short (no more than 10 minute) presentation with the intended audience of a local archaeology society buildings sub-committee explaining the role of the CBA and our partners in listed building casework. PowerPoint facilities will be provided, if required.