Executive Architectural Conservation Officer

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include planning, Local Enterprise Office, rural and community development, transportation, motor tax, water, environment, emergency services along with housing activation & delivery, libraries, and sports & amenities, property management, derelict sites, and vacant homes. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance and People and Culture functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Executive Architectural Conservation Officer from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Architectural Conservation Officer is required to play a central role in protecting, promoting, and harnessing the potential of the architectural heritage and archaeology of the County, implementing Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) through providing advice on architectural and archaeological heritage matters relating to planning applications and plans and strategies.

Reporting to the assigned line manager, the Executive Architectural Conservation Officer will be responsible for the efficient management of their prescribed work area within the conservation or related function. Managers at this level work within defined parameters relevant to the position, in accordance with the Local Authority’s vision and objectives. The Executive Architectural Conservation Officer will be required to work closely with elected Councillors to deliver the full range of services and implement local policy decisions. Delivery of efficient services and value for money is crucial. 

KEY SERVICE AREAS

Executive Architectural Conservation Officer positions are multi-faceted and may include some or all of the following key service areas within the Local Authority:

• Development Management
• Planning Enforcement
• Economic Development
• Forward Planning and Sustainable Development
• Community Development, Heritage & Town Renewal

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

• Have a satisfactory knowledge of Clare’s history and of its historic building typologies and spaces;
• Have a good working knowledge and understanding of architectural conservation and of its role in the planning and development process;
• Have experience of participating in managing and leading multi-disciplinary and cross functional teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, encourage, and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under their control;
• Have a track record of delivering results;
• Understand Local Authority services and structures in Ireland, particularly as they relate to the conservation function, or have the ability to quickly acquire same;
• Be capable of working in close consultation with key stakeholders and in seeking co-operation and consensus with a whole range of bodies and representative groups;
• Be experienced in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, presentations, and reports, taking customer feedback, and ensuring any learning from same is used to enhance the operations of the organisation;
• Be experienced in contributing to the operational and strategic conservation processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims of same;
• Have excellent interpersonal, and communication skills;
• Have good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation, the implications for the organization and the employee, and their application in the workplace;
• Have experience of managing finance and budgets and ensuring value for money;
• Have experience in providing information on the pattern of demand and activity and the skills to schedule/programme the carrying out of work;
• Have good general ICT skills;
• Have a focus on the customer and on service improvement including taking ownership and resolving issues arising;
• Be prepared to undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• To advise Clare County Council in relation to the architectural heritage and conservation provisions and requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the Planning and Development Regulations and any subsequent National and European legislation.
• To contribute to the development of a conservation policy for inclusion in the Councils’ Plans and to promote and implement such policies.
• To identify, evaluate and provide advice on structures, groups of structures, areas and other features of architectural heritage of historical, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical significance, with a view to making recommendations regarding their inclusion in/exclusion from a Record of Protected Structures and on development objectives.
• To provide advice to owners and occupiers of structures included in a Record of Protected Structures on good practice in the conservation of such structures, on the availability of assistance, including financial assistance, for such conservation.
• To assess and make recommendations on Section 57 Declarations and Section 59 Notices in accordance with statutory requirements – including the recording on the GIS and RPS filing system.
• To monitor the state of repair of structures included in a Record of Protected Structures, and if necessary, make recommendations on the need if any, for the planning authority to take enforcement action in such cases.
• To report and advise on planning applications where conservation and/or architectural issues arise.
• To assist with and provide advice concerning the scheme of grants for the conservation of protected structures, including assessing the condition of buildings and the suitability of works, prioritising applications, recommending appropriate conditions, and inspecting works in progress and on completion.
• To consult with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, State Agencies, Voluntary Bodies and European Organisations on matters of architectural conservation.
• To maintain a database of drawings and photographs relating to protected structures, groups of structures and areas, and other features of architectural heritage significance.
• To advise on Local Authority Developments where conservation issues arise.
• To prepare and give evidence in court and at oral hearings where issues of conservation are involved.
• To advise on the sources of funds for conservation and related works and to oversee and manage heritage grant applications.
• To lead, motivate and engage staff to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans.
• To effectively manage performance of staff under their remit.
• To comply with all requirements of PMDS operated in Clare County Council.
• To ensure staff are trained and operate within the relevant skill sets.
• To communicate effectively whether verbally or in written communications with all stakeholders.
• To effectively and efficiently manage budgets and ensure value for money at all times.
• To be familiar with Clare County Council’s Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, to promote a positive safety culture to include carrying out risk assessments, safety inspections, and investigation of any accidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses.
• Any other associated duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Essential Criteria

1. Character 

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) hold a recognised qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications developed by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999 in a technical discipline related to the built environment including but not limited to architecture, structural engineering, building surveying or spatial planning

OR

a qualification at NFQ Level 8 in which the historic built environment was a major subject including but not limited to archaeology, history of art or architectural conservation

OR

a postgraduate qualification at NFQ Levels 9 or 10 in which the historic built environment was a major subject,

AND

(b) After attaining the qualification referred to at (a) above, have five years’ satisfactory experience relevant to the post (or four years for registered architects),

AND

(c) Have a satisfactory knowledge of architectural heritage, design and conservation, strategic planning and urban design, and the legal framework governing architectural conservation and planning,

AND

(d) possess a high standard of technical training and experience appropriate to the nature of the work undertaken, including administrative experience, and have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation.

Failure to input and upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (February 2026): €60,255, €62,447, €64,640, €66,837, €69,032, €71,226, €73,423, €75,606, €77,813, €80,001, €82,523(LSI1), €83,758 (LSI2)