Historic Environment Record (HER) Officer
| Posting date: | 02 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,699 to £39,152 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 January 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Are you passionate about history, archaeology, and preserving our heritage for future generations? We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Historic Environment Record (HER) Officer to join our team and play a key role in managing and developing our local Historic Environment Record. The HER Officer is a core role at Berkshire Archaeology, helping to deliver a high quality archaeological service to five unitary authorities in Berkshire: Reading, Wokingham, Slough, Bracknell Forest, and Windsor & Maidenhead.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About The Role:
As HER Officer, you will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the Historic Environment Record (HER), an important tool for understanding and protecting our region’s rich archaeological heritage.
You’ll work closely with colleagues, the public, and community groups to promote access to the HER and support heritage management across the five authorities.
Key tasks include managing and updating the Historic Environment Record (HER) using GIS and database systems, interpreting archaeological and heritage reports, and integrating new data in line with established procedures.
You’ll identify and acquire new sources of information to enhance the HER and provide data to enquirers in appropriate formats. You’ll also work with other team members to plan and deliver externally funded heritage projects.
In addition, you’ll promote public engagement with archaeology and the HER through outreach activities, supporting community and amenity groups, and making sure local people have the opportunity to learn about and value their heritage.
About You:
You’ll bring:
A degree in archaeology or a related field
Membership (or eligibility) of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, at associate or full level
At least two years of professional archaeological experience in Britain
Strong knowledge of British archaeology and HER systems
Excellent IT skills, especially in databases and GIS
Great communication and customer service abilities
A proactive, collaborative approach and enthusiasm for public engagement
A driving licence and willingness to travel to archaeological and construction sites are essential.
Above all, you’ll be motivated by a genuine interest in preserving and sharing the stories of our past.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Royal Berkshire Archives in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Fiona Macdonald – Principal Archaeologist – fiona.macdonald@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 11th January 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 21st January 2026
Interview Setup: In person at Royal Berkshire Archives, Coley Avenue, Reading
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About The Role:
As HER Officer, you will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the Historic Environment Record (HER), an important tool for understanding and protecting our region’s rich archaeological heritage.
You’ll work closely with colleagues, the public, and community groups to promote access to the HER and support heritage management across the five authorities.
Key tasks include managing and updating the Historic Environment Record (HER) using GIS and database systems, interpreting archaeological and heritage reports, and integrating new data in line with established procedures.
You’ll identify and acquire new sources of information to enhance the HER and provide data to enquirers in appropriate formats. You’ll also work with other team members to plan and deliver externally funded heritage projects.
In addition, you’ll promote public engagement with archaeology and the HER through outreach activities, supporting community and amenity groups, and making sure local people have the opportunity to learn about and value their heritage.
About You:
You’ll bring:
A degree in archaeology or a related field
Membership (or eligibility) of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, at associate or full level
At least two years of professional archaeological experience in Britain
Strong knowledge of British archaeology and HER systems
Excellent IT skills, especially in databases and GIS
Great communication and customer service abilities
A proactive, collaborative approach and enthusiasm for public engagement
A driving licence and willingness to travel to archaeological and construction sites are essential.
Above all, you’ll be motivated by a genuine interest in preserving and sharing the stories of our past.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Royal Berkshire Archives in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Fiona Macdonald – Principal Archaeologist – fiona.macdonald@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 11th January 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 21st January 2026
Interview Setup: In person at Royal Berkshire Archives, Coley Avenue, Reading
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.