heritage recording officer

About The Role
Full-time, fixed term until end of June 2026
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking candidates for a new role within the Research Service of the Heritage Directorate.

Join Historic Environment Scotland as a Heritage Recording Officer and play a vital role in investigating, recording, creating and curating information about the archaeology, buildings, and historic sites and landscapes of Scotland. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate heritage professional to combine fieldwork, research, and cutting-edge survey techniques to contribute to the National Record of the Historic Environment and to provide information to help us achieve our directorate's priorities. Based in Edinburgh but working across Scotland, you can expect to spend a proportion of your working time making field visits and delivering survey fieldwork, including spatial data capture, UAV imaging, measured survey, geophysical survey & photography.

About The Role
As a Heritage Recording Officer, you'll be part of the Research Service within the Heritage Directorate of Historic Environment Scotland. You'll collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary group of heritage professionals including archaeologists, geophysicists, surveyors and remote sensing specialists. Fieldwork will often be conducted in small teams, but you'll also be expected to work independently, including occasional lone working. Driving, travel and overnight stays will be a regular requirement of this role.

Key Responsibilities, Duties And Objectives Of The Role

• Researching, producing and delivering information about the historic environment in a variety of forms to support the National Record of the Historic Environment (published via ) and to support the work of the wider directorate.
• Planning and delivering survey fieldwork, including spatial data capture, UAV imaging, measured survey, geophysical survey & photography.
• Post-survey and desk-based data processing, analysis and interpretation, including working with a variety of spatial data in GIS.
• Creating graphic outputs using a range of software, and producing written outcomes.
• Management of data and information, and archiving of material using appropriate systems to established standards.
• Working as part of a team and with other teams to help define priorities for your work and to deliver appropriate outputs to agreed deadlines.
• Working with colleagues to understand and manage risks and safety.
• Supporting the training of colleagues and the public in heritage survey and recording techniques.

About You
We're seeking a motivated and skilled heritage professional who brings a balance of technical expertise, field experience, and a passion for Scotland's historic environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

Essential Requirements

• Broad and demonstrable knowledge of Scotland's historic environment and relevant approaches to recording and understanding archaeological sites and landscapes.
• Experience of working in heritage recording, and some understanding of the requirements of producing accurate, informative heritage data.
• Familiarity with the technical aspects of survey and recording applicable in the historic environment sector (e.g. digital data capture, site description, photography, drawn illustration, geophysical survey, camera drone imaging, LiDAR).
• Computer Literacy – use of Microsoft Office software, spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience of working with maps and GIS systems to integrate and analyse various types of spatial data, including remote sensing data, in (e.g. QGIS/ArcGIS).
• Ability to undertake editing and processing of digital material using graphic-related and surveying software (for example, Adobe Creative Cloud, Leica R360+, Reality Scan, Pix4D).
• Demonstrable research and analytical skills and the ability to write in plain English.
• Ability to manage resources effectively to deliver an outcome e.g. equipment inventorying and planning/co-ordinating resources for a project.
• A full driving licence or ability to use independent means of travel.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in challenging outdoor environments such as remote rural or coastal environments.
• Knowledge of historic environment legislation, policy and practice and its relevance to the role.
• Experience of health and safety procedures and management, for example risk assessment.

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

• SCQF Level 9 (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) qualifications in relevant subject matter i.e. archaeology, history, geography, geosciences or equivalent relevant experience are required for this post.
• Membership of professional associations is welcome but not essential.

Interested?

Visit our website to view the full job description and for information about applying online for this interesting and exciting opportunity.

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Closing date:
30 November 2025 at midnight.

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