Architectural Historian

Terracon; Center Square (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon seeks an Architectural Historian to join the Environmental Planning Practice Group in Blue Bell, PA. This on-site role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and preserving historic resources while supporting infrastructure and community development projects.

You’ll conduct desktop research, field surveys, NRHP eligibility assessments, and coordinate with SHPOs and agencies, contributing to NHPA and NEPA documentation. Strong communication and travel readiness are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work in varied environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct desktop research, archival investigations, and literature reviews.
• Perform field surveys and evaluations of historic resources.
• Assess NRHP eligibility and coordinate with SHPOs, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Support NHPA compliance and contribute to NEPA documentation and ESAs.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Travel readiness

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, architectural history, historic preservation, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

General Responsibilities

At Terracon, we're more than a consulting firm, we're a team of passionate professionals dedicated to creating meaningful impact. As a 100% employee-owned company, every team member has a stake in our success, fostering a culture where collaboration, innovation, and excellence thrive. We are seeking an energetic and motivated Architectural Historian to join our dynamic Environmental Planning Practice Group in our Blue Bell (Philadelphia West), Pennsylvania office.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that help preserve our nation's cultural heritage while supporting infrastructure, development, and community growth initiatives. You'll work alongside talented professionals who are committed to delivering industry-leading solutions and building lasting client relationships.

What You'll Do

• Conducting desktop research, archival investigations, and literature reviews.
• Performing field surveys and evaluations of historic resources.
• Assessing properties for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
• Coordinating with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs), federal and state agencies, tribal representatives, municipalities, and other stakeholders.
• Supporting compliance efforts under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and applicable state and local regulations.
• Contributing to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and other environmental consulting projects.

Success in this role requires a strong understanding of the regulatory framework governing the identification, evaluation, and management of historic resources, as well as a collaborative approach to working with diverse project teams and stakeholders.

Essential Roles And Responsibilities

• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
• Maintain quality standards, manage budgets, and meet project deadlines, including adherence to Terracon's quality processes and document quality-control requirements.
• Prepare survey reports, historic resource recording forms, research designs, property descriptions, historical narratives, significance statements, National Register eligibility evaluations, and other technical documents.
• Oversee archival and field research, data collection, historic resource inventories, analysis, and final report production.
• Evaluate buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts for NRHP eligibility.
• Remain current with agency protocols for federal-level cultural resources work and determine appropriate levels of effort for non-federal work.
• Maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agency contacts, clients, consulting parties, and other project stakeholders.
• Prepare budgets, proposals, and statements of qualifications.
• Project Management
• Oversee work performed by peers including scientists, engineers, technicians, and subconsultants.
• Develop professional relationships with existing and prospective clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, architectural history, historic preservation, or a closely related field and a minimum of 5 years’ related experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely using both written and verbal skills.
• Ability to adapt to concurrent assignments.
• Ability to perform physical work, including lifting and walking on uneven surfaces while carrying at least 20 pounds of equipment and working in hot or cold weather conditions.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Ability to travel overnight, including assignments requiring multiple days away from the office.
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Possession of a valid U.S. driver's license with an acceptable violation history.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or a closely related field, with coursework in American architectural history.
• Working knowledge of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
• Experience conducting architectural surveys and evaluating historic resources in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, or the broader Mid-Atlantic North region.
• Experience consulting with SHPOs, federal and state agencies, municipalities, tribal groups, and other stakeholders.
• Membership in statewide or national professional associations, or other evidence of professional engagement in the historic preservation community.
• Experience with ArcGIS and digital field-recording tools and platforms.
• Technical familiarity with architectural styles and resources encountered in the Mid-Atlantic North region.