Research Historian

Job Code: 32000720
Salary Grade: NC09
Revision Date: 12/2025

Class Concept

This is professional work in providing historical research services. Under the general supervision of the research unit supervisor or the section administrator, employees perform research activities for specific projects for the sections of the division, topics defined by the division's administration, the historical marker program, or individual requests from other state agencies or the general public. These roles document findings and develop guides and indexes for future referral and responses to inquiries. Positions perform related duties as required. Research for the sections may be for a particular event, period of time, historic site or property, or general topics involving social and political impacts or trends in the state. Requests from other state agencies or the general public vary widely and are received on a continuous basis through correspondence, phone calls, or referrals from other units of the division. Positions work fairly independently in determining daily activities and priorities. Initially, explanations of projects and details in scheduling are received from the research unit supervisor or the section administrator.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of North Carolina and American history
• Considerable knowledge of primary and secondary reference sources and historical materials, laws, legislative journals, arid documents of the state of North Carolina and the use of such materials
• Ability to gather historical facts, analyze, and verify their importance and significance, and to document them
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's degree in history from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of progressive experience in a historical agency that has included research experience; or Bachelor's degree in history from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of progressive experience in a historical agency that has included research experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.