Historic Preservation/Restoration Specialist

Job Code: 32000702
Salary Grade: NC09
Revision Date: 06/2018

Class Concept

This is professional and administrative work in performing the most complex aspects of, or coordinating the work of other preservation/restoration specialists in, the preservation and restoration program for properties of historic and cultural significance throughout the state. Under administrative supervision of a historic preservation/restoration supervisor or the section administrator, employees oversee and coordinate activities in areas such as identification and assessment of historic properties, National Register and local designations of historic properties, environmental impact, or restoration. Responsibilities involve the identification, evaluation, and designation of historic properties; monitoring and coordinating the assessment and mitigation of environmental impact to properties of historic or cultural significance; or providing leadership in advising and consulting on projects to preserve buildings of historic significance. Work varies in nature from the identification and assessment of significance of historic properties, to review of development and construction on those properties, to the identification and evaluation of technical problems and restoration needs. Significant involvement with individual property owners, local historical organizations and commissions, other governmental entities, and private contractors is required to gather pertinent information and make decisions regarding preservation and restoration recommendations. For environmental impact, employees negotiate mitigation and avoidance agreements with governmental agencies, developers, and contractors. Determination of significance requires field identification and recording, architectural assessment, historical research, and application of federal and state criteria for evaluation of properties for historic designation and the supervision of staff and consultants conducting surveys and preparing nominations and documentation. Environmental impact coordination requires the identification of historic properties within the area designated for construction or development, determination of the appropriateness of measures to alleviate the impact, and negotiation of measures required to alleviate or lessen the impact. Employees may provide consultation or leadership to other specialists on the complex issues relating to the preservation of historic properties which involves research of the structure, specifications pertaining to its significance, recommendations regarding methods of restoration, and monitoring of physical restoration work in progress. Decisions regarding the significance of properties, eligibility for National Register or local designation, environmental impact, and building restoration affect the decisions and expenditures of private individuals, other government agencies, historical organizations, private contractors, and developers.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of North Carolina and American architecture history.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and operations of national, state, and local preservation programs.
• Ability to comprehend technical language and concepts pertaining to architecture and restoration of buildings.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to organize projects and determine time frames for completion.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's degree in historic preservation, planning, architecture history, or a closely related field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in historic preservation; or Bachelor's degree in history, planning, or architectural history, or a closely related field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in historic preservation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.