Architectural Historian

Chloeta; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Chloeta is seeking an Architectural Historian to lead historic surveys and cultural resource compliance for disaster recovery efforts under a federal program.

You will plan, manage, and implement surveys, supervise field investigations, evaluate NRHP eligibility, and prepare technical documentation in line with NHPA, ARPA, and NC HPO/HAER/HS standards. This 6-month role travels across NC and advances preservation goals.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of architectural history, historic preservation principles, and cultural resource management.
• NHPA familiarity, including Sections 106 and 110.
• ARPA requirements and federal regulations.
• NRHP evaluation criteria and Determinations of Eligibility.
• Experience preparing survey documentation meeting NC HPO, HABS, HAER standards.
• Knowledge of SHPO reporting requirements and survey standards.
• Knowledge of Southern Appalachian archaeology and cultural landscapes.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, and quality control skills.
• Ability to interpret historical documents, maps, plans, photos, and archives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects.
• Excellent verbal communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Investigator for historic surveys and compliance projects.
• Lead planning, coordination, and implementation of surveys with federal agency staff.
• Supervise and direct interdisciplinary survey teams in field investigations and documentation.
• Conduct literature reviews, archival research, oral histories, and inventory activities.
• Direct field documentation, condition assessments, and post-project monitoring of historic resources.
• Evaluate structures for NRHP eligibility and prepare DOEs.
• Provide recommendations on significance, effects, and mitigation measures.
• Prepare NHPA Section 106/110 documentation and technical reports.
• Support ARPA investigations and curation as needed.
• Prepare survey documentation per NC HPO, HABS, HAER standards.
• Review draft/final reports for quality and regulatory compliance.
• Compile and synthesize historical resources from diverse sources.
• Develop historic contexts for evaluations of properties and districts.
• Coordinate project schedules, deliverables, and QA activities.
• Prepare mitigation plans and preservation strategies.

Skills

Architectural history

NHPA knowledge

NRHP criteria

Technical writing

Project management

Field investigations

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Master’s in Architectural History

Secretary of the Interior’s Qualifications Standards

10+ years PI experience

Job description

Job Summary

The Architectural Historian serves as the lead technical expert for historic architectural surveys and cultural resource compliance activities supporting disaster recovery efforts for a federal agency. This position is responsible for planning, managing, and implementing historic architectural surveys, directing field investigations, evaluating historic structures for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility, and preparing and reviewing technical documentation in accordance with federal and state historic preservation requirements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No

Job Classification

Permanent; Full Time, Non Exempt

Duty Station

Asheville NC

Travel

Travel up to 75% (Travel required throughout the National Forests in North Carolina)

Duration

This role is anticipated to last 6 months, with the possibility of extension pending contract options.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for historic architectural surveys and cultural resource compliance projects.
• Lead the planning, coordination, implementation, and completion of historic architectural surveys in collaboration with federal agency staff.
• Supervise and provide technical direction to interdisciplinary survey teams conducting field investigations and historic structure documentation.
• Conduct and oversee literature reviews, archival research, oral history interviews, historic property inventories, and site identification activities.
• Direct field documentation, condition assessments, site evaluations, and post-project monitoring of historic structures and cultural resources.
• Evaluate historic structures and cultural resources for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
• Prepare Determinations of Eligibility (DOE) that include historic context, period of significance, integrity assessments, statements of significance, and application of NRHP Criteria A–D.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding the significance of historic properties, potential project effects, and appropriate mitigation measures.
• Prepare and review NHPA Section 106 and Section 110 compliance documentation and technical reports.
• Support Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) investigations, damage assessments, artifact cataloging, and curation activities when required.
• Prepare architectural survey documentation in accordance with North Carolina Historic Preservation Office (NC HPO), Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), and other applicable federal and state documentation standards.
• Review and edit draft and final technical reports prepared by project staff to ensure quality, consistency, technical accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Compile, interpret, and synthesize historical resources including Government Land Office (GLO) maps, historic photographs, land ownership records, Forest Service documentation, ethnographic information, archival materials, and published sources.
• Develop historic contexts supporting evaluations of historic properties and districts.
• Coordinate project implementation, schedules, deliverables, and quality assurance activities.
• Prepare mitigation recommendations, treatment plans, and preservation strategies for historic resources.

Required Skills / Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of architectural history, historic preservation principles, and cultural resource management.
• Thorough understanding of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), including Sections 106 and 110.
• Knowledge of Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) requirements and federal cultural resource regulations.
• Expertise in National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) evaluation criteria and Determinations of Eligibility.
• Experience preparing historic architectural survey documentation meeting NC HPO, HABS, HAER, and related standards.
• Strong knowledge of North Carolina SHPO reporting requirements and historic architectural survey standards.
• Knowledge of Southern Appalachian archaeology, architectural history, and cultural landscapes.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, and quality control skills.
• Ability to interpret historical documents, maps, architectural plans, photographs, and archival resources.
• Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining project schedules and deadlines.

Education and Experience

• Required: Master’s in Architectural History, Historic Preservation, Architecture, Public History, or a closely related field.
• Required: Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Architectural History.
• Required: Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience serving as a Principal Investigator on historic architectural surveys.

Physical Requirements

• Use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, etc.
• Ability to conduct field investigations in remote and rugged environments.
• Ability to walk over uneven terrain and access historic structures in varying conditions.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and navigate historic buildings where necessary.
• Ability to lift and carry field equipment, cameras, survey materials, and documentation weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to sit and operate computer equipment for extended periods while preparing technical documentation.
• Ability to travel throughout North Carolina as required to support project activities.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• MDLIVE
• Benefit Hub
• Paid Annual Leave/PTO
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k)
• Basic Life
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EEO Statement

Chloeta provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.