Historic environment advice assistant
Reference Number: ST0749
Details of standard
Occupation summary
This occupation is found in the Cultural Heritage, Historic Environment, Engineering, Construction, Design, Planning, Local Government, Education and Tourism sectors. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide technical, research and logistical support to Historic Environment professionals working with heritage assets in the planning and development process, and on the legal and policy frameworks for their protection.
Examples of heritage assets include historic buildings, places, landscapes, townscapes, monuments, the historic marine environment, archaeological sites and deposits of heritage interest, registered parks, gardens and battlefields. Legislation or policy frameworks may be international, national or local, and include (but are not limited to) the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, National Planning Policy Framework, Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, Ecclesiastical Exemption Order 2010. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of clients, colleagues and stakeholders in the public, private and third sectors, within
organisations of any size. The Historic Environment Advice Assistant is typically office based but duties also include site visits, outdoor working and attendance at meetings with stakeholders, clients or colleagues. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for researching, investigating, analysing and reporting upon aspects of the historic environment in order to inform advice and recommendations on change, protection, maintenance, interpretation, conservation or restoration. Their work supports the evaluation of the significance of the historic environment, assessment of its condition, and its sensitivity to change. Where necessary, they are required to present arguments clearly and effectively based on their analysis. They also assist with the design and help monitor the implementation and compliance of programmes of work relating to heritage assets.
The Historic Environment Advice Assistant will typically be expected to work independently conducting research and preparing documentation and may be responsible for providing advice and recommendations to clients or the public without the supervision of senior colleagues, where appropriate to individual cases.
Typical job titles
Typical job titles include Heritage at Risk Projects Officer; Built Heritage Assistant; Assistant Conservation Officer; Assistant Heritage Consultant; Assistant Historic Environment Officer; Assistant Historic Buildings Officer; Associate Heritage Consultant; Assistant Archaeological Advisor; Assistant Historic Environment Record Officer; Heritage Assistant; Assistant Heritage Officer; Assistant Heritage Consultant; Assistant Conservation & Design Officer, Listing Officer, Designation Officer, Casework Officer.
Entry requirements
While any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved five 9-4 (previously A* to C) GCSEs on entry.
Occupation duties
Duty |
Criteria for measuring performance |
KSBs |
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Duty 1 Research and compile information on the historic environment through desk based or site-based investigations, using site inspections, online resources and archive research, e.g. using National Monuments Record, National Heritage List, Historic Environment Records etc. |
Work must be accurate and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (those issued by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA)). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K11, K12, K14 S3, S4, S5, S9, S10, S11, S15, S16 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
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Duty 2 Apply the relevant legislation and policy to historic environment projects, casework or applications, within broad but generally well-defined parameters, e.g. BS7913 (Guide to Conservation of Historic Buildings), Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Historic England: Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the sustainable management of the Historic Environment, DCMS: Principles of selection for listing buildings) |
Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13 S2, S3, S4, S6, S9, S14 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
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Duty 3 Assess the condition of the historic environment within broad but generally well-defined parameters, based on understanding of principles of conservation in the historic environment. For example assessing the extent and rate of deterioration of part of the fabric of a listed building or an archaeological site. |
Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13, K14 S4, S5, S7, S8, S15, S16 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
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Duty 4 Design, develop or determine the impact of applications and proposals for change to the historic environment e.g. alterations or repairs to a listed building or its demolition, or development-led changes to an archaeological site or Conservation Area. |
Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13 S2, S4, S5, S6, S8, S9, S12 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
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Duty 5 Identify risks to the historic environment, constraints and opportunities (such as regeneration, adaptive reuse). For example the impact of development, risks of adverse weather conditions to historic fabric, or deterioration of historic sites through a lack of intervention/neglect. |
Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13, K14 S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S15, S16 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 6 Produce and evaluate documentation supporting the management of change of the historic environment. For example this could involve producing, assessing or updating conservation management plans, statements of significance, identifying where specialist skills may be required and commissioning specialist services. | Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13 S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 7 Interpret design documentation that relates to change in the historic environment, this may involve reviewing graphical material including building and engineering drawings. | Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K12, K13 S2, S4, S5, S6, S8, S9, S12, S14 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
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Duty 8 Provide technical advice, recommendations, or consultation responses related to the historic environment to stakeholders, within broad but generally well-defined parameters, such as providing technical advice on the protection, maintenance, interpretation, conservation or restoration of an archaeological site, listed building, or registered park or garden. |
Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). Work must also meet client expectations and criteria includes customer feedback. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13 S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S12, S14 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 9 Monitor the implementation of investigation or work programmes and statutory compliance concerning the historic environment in well- defined circumstances, e.g. checking that conservation work has been carried out to an acceptable standard, monitoring planning conditions where they relate to Written Schemes of Investigation, monitoring grant awards, or checking listed building consent conditions have been met. | Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). Work must also meet client expectations and criteria includes customer feedback. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13, K14 S1, S2, S4, S5, S6, S7, S9, S12, S14, S15, S16 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 10 Demonstrate public benefit of the historic environment, presenting arguments clearly and effectively and conducting the public dissemination of information about the historic environment. For example demonstrating how a historic site or conservation area can contribute to a sense of civic pride and improve well- being, improve local employment and economic growth. | Work must be accurate, comply with relevant legislation and statutory principles, and meet industry standards and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). Work must also meet client expectations and criteria includes customer feedback. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K12 S1, S4, S10, S13 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 11 Raise awareness, appreciation and understanding of the historic environment, and promote good conservation practice, through an understanding of historic environment principles, policies and guidance | Work must be accurate and meet industry standards and statutory principles, and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). Work must also meet client expectations and criteria includes customer feedback. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K12 S1, S4, S13 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 12 Assist with the design of technical briefs and specifications for carrying out or procuring a range of historic environment products and services | Work must be accurate and meet industry standards and statutory principles, and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). Work must also meet client expectations and criteria includes customer feedback. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K12 S1, S4, S13 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
| Duty 13 Manage and catalogue data recovered from research or investigation on the historic environment, this includes use of GIS and map-based database systems, such as the National Heritage List, Historic Environment Records, National Monuments Record etc. | Work must be accurate and meet industry standards and statutory principles, and relevant professional body guidelines and codes of practice (CIOB, IHBC, CIfA). |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12 S3, S4, S5, S14 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 |
KSBs
Knowledge
K1: How to respond to client or public requests and organisational requirements e.g. requests for advice from owners of Listing Buildings, or requests for record information about Listed Buildings from colleagues
K2: Knowledge of stakeholder communication methods and strategies and how to maintain honest and constructive relationships.
K3: The requirements for projects, including timescales, deadlines, cost implications, and identifying milestones/targets.
K4: Heritage policies, frameworks, strategies, and best practice Standards for historic building conservation and archaeological work e.g. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Historic England: Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the sustainable management of the Historic Environment, DCMS: Principles of selection for listing buildings
K5: Where and how to find the relevant statutory legislation and other guidance concerning change in the historic environment, e.g. Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, National Planning Policy Framework, Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, Ecclesiastical Exemption Order 2010
K6: The Historic Environment conservation principles (BS7913) and other published criteria for assessment and design.
K7: The fundamentals of archaeological, landscape or architectural history and building practice and chronology, including a broad understanding and recognition of archaeological site or building types, styles, technologies, materials and periods.
K8: The wider context of the historic environment, and the roles and responsibilities of statutory authorities, heritage organisations of all types and specialists, e.g. public, private and third sector organisations, subject specialist networks
K9: Documentation used in the identification, management, design or recording of the Historic Environment, e.g. assessments of significance, Local Development Plans, listing and designation statements, desk-based assessments, Historic Environment Records.
K10: Compliance processes for the historic environment, including heritage at risk and enforcement.
K11: Their employer’s health and safety policy and procedures and operational procedures and how those relate to industry standards, and the fundamentals of relevant Health and Safety legislation and construction site Health & Safety. How to recognise and report risks.
K12: Their role in the context of the project which they are working, what is required of them, and the implications of the project on the wider context of the historic environment. The limits of their own understanding, abilities and responsibilities, and how to practice within them. The ethical requirements of the relevant professional body.
K13: Knowledge of learning and self-development opportunities within the sector and how to develop a personal action plan.
K14: How to identify archaeological sites or building types, styles, technologies, materials and periods in practice.
Skills
S1: Work as part of a team and communicate effectively with colleagues, clients and stakeholders
S2: Coordinate and administer casework and projects, manage projects for clients or organisations including using systems and processes specific to the historic environment sector.
S3: Demonstrate time management skills, prioritise workload, work under pressure and be able to meet critical deadlines.
S4: Write reports, specifications and briefs for projects that are complex and non-routine but well defined, e.g. Written Schemes of Investigation, Conservation Management Plans, listing and designation advice, desk-based assessments.
S5: Interpret technical information and documents on the historic environment, e.g architectural plans, design and access statements, listed building consent orders.
S6: Link, contextualise and apply legislation, policy, standards and guidance to projects, e.g. Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, National Planning Policy Framework, Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, Ecclesiastical Exemption Order 2010
S7: Assess and describe the condition of the historic environment, e.g conducting evaluation visits, desk-based assessment, assessments of significance
S8: Problem solve and evaluate proposals for change and gauge appropriateness of proposed actions
S9: Apply relevant historic environment sector standards to check and review work
S10: Identify, compile and process data on the historic environment
S11: Review and maintain records on the historic environment in accordance with relevant standards
S12: Exercise appropriate judgement and decision making, escalating to/involving others when dealing with complex queries or sensitive cases
S13: Recognise the potential for work in the historic environment to deliver public benefit, identify opportunities for research and to deliver new knowledge for society
S14: Be responsible for mapping and working to data standards, carrying out information reviews or technical investigation on the historic environment.
S15: Work in a variety of outdoor and indoor site types safely, recognise and report risks in order to reduce the risk of incidents
S16: Identify and use of range of methods and techniques to identify archaeological sites or building types, styles, technologies, materials and periods in practice.
Behaviours
B1: Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work
B2: focus and pay attention to detailB3: Ability to problem-solve and negotiate
B3: Ability to problem-solve and negotiate
B4: Commit to quality and their continuous professional development
B5: Work effectively individually and as part of a team
B6: Be approachable and able to communicate with all levels of their own and other organisations, as well as the general public, in workplace settings, as well as during site visits and stakeholder meetings.
B7: Be sensitive to and aware of the significance of the historic environment, and the needs of its stakeholders, being conscious of integrity, honesty and professional ethical requirements
Qualifications
English and Maths qualifications
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
Professional recognition
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists / Practitioner
Chartered Institute for Building / Registered
Institute of Historic Building Conservation / Affiliate
Additional details
Occupational Level: 4
Duration (months): 24
Review
This standard will be reviewed after three years.
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