Architectural Historian

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values: Stewardship, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its’ citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

This is an opportunity to join the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and influence the outcome of treatments for historic properties throughout the state. As a SHPO team member you will provide expertise in historic preservation methods and materials to property owners, architects, developers, and communities for a variety of historic preservation programs. Enjoy applying your experience as an architectural historian, while increasing and sharing your knowledge about rehabilitation tax credits, Section 106, easement covenants, historic structure reports, and more, to help ensure a future for Missouri’s historic places.

This position is with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, State Historic Preservation Office, and is located at 1659 E. Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

• Provide guidance in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties, primarily through interpretation of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (SOI Standards).
• Review architectural designs and project proposals to provide information on appropriate treatments and technical assistance in accordance with the SOI Standards.
• Focus on assuring compliance with state and federal preservation regulations related to historic property treatments proposed or performed under federal and/or state historic tax credit programs.
• Advise property owners and project contacts how to provide sufficient documentation to ensure proposals or applications are compatible with federal standards.
• Develop, prepare, and deliver presentations regarding design and technical issues as related to application submission and the SOI Standards. The target audience of these presentations will be Certified Local Governments (CLGs), property owners, preservationists, developers, and/or other preservation professionals.
• Assist as needed with review and consultation on projects undergoing Section 106 review and National Register eligibility assessments and nominations.
• Assist as needed with the monitoring of state-held easements and covenants.
• Assist as needed with outreach programming and events.
• Visit historic properties around the State of Missouri, attend meetings and statewide conferences, and prepare site visit reports.
• The position will require some travel with occasional night or weekend hours for site visits, special events or public meetings.
• Site visit conditions may involve abandoned buildings, walking on uneven surfaces, climbing flights of stairs, low light situations, and dust.
• This position will be performed with significant independence, judgment, and initiative within established guidelines.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:

• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.
• Standards: Knowledge of standards that either are compliant with or derived from established standards or guidelines.
• Managing Performance: Takes responsibility for employees’ performance by setting and communicating expectations and goals that are specific and measurable, tracking progress against the goals, supporting employees’ efforts to achieve job goals (by providing resources, removing obstacles, acting as a buffer, etc.), ensuring feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.
• Customer Service:(*) Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Oral Communication:(*) Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Operating Systems: Knowledge of computer network, desktop, and mainframe operating systems and their applications.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

• Graduate degree in history, architectural history, historic preservation, or closely related field and one year of relevant experience. (Other approved education or experience may be considered as a substitute for the required education or experience.)
• Knowledge of architectural design, construction detailing, construction procedures, and building materials and systems with an emphasis on historic projects.
• Technical ability to skillfully review and interpret architectural styles, types, drawings, terms, construction systems and materials.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to Historic Tax Credit programs.
• Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with emphasis on rehabilitation as a treatment and standards for rehabilitation.
• Familiarity with federal law and regulations relating to the National Register of Historic Places.
• Familiarity with the National Historic Preservation Act, its implementing regulations, and the four-step Section 106 review process.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience with providing technical assistance to external clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, state and federal partners, and external clients.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently in assessing and managing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Ability to plan, organize, and carry out assignments and manage a complex records system.
• Ability to conduct research for in-house projects and to provide assistance to the public.
• Training, certification, and/or education in continuous process improvement programs such as Lean Six Sigma as well as completion of Missouri Way, Leadership Academy, and similar programs is preferred.

Benefits & Work-life Balance

Our benefits package and flexible 40-hour work week promotes the mental and physical health of you and your family as you work towards achieving your professional goals. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance. Learn more here .

How we invest in you:

• Exceptional professional development: mentoring from experienced professionals, cross-media training, career advancement opportunities, paid trainings and continuing education tuition assistance.
• Support for professional registrations when required, through paid study materials, fees, study time, test time, exam fees and licensure renewal fees.

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• State of Missouri

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