Architectural Historian 1-2

Culture Rec & Tourism-Cultural Dev; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Cultural Development in Baton Rouge, LA seeks an Architectural Historian to manage National Register nominations, provide technical guidance, and coordinate the nomination process including meetings and deadlines.

The role involves preparing documentation, conducting site inspections, and training local governments and partners on NPS guidelines and state requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, architectural history, a humanities field, historic preservation, cultural resource management, or museum studies is required.
• Experience with National Register of Historic Places nominations and related documentation is expected.
• Ability to coordinate complex nomination processes and attend public meetings.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and edits nomination documents and support materials for National Register listings.
• Provides technical assistance to applicants and colleagues; develops alternative proposals with owners and consultants.
• Coordinates nomination process including deadlines for notifications and nomination submissions.
• Prepares eligibility confirmations, legal notices, and National Register certificates.
• Conducts technical inspections to assess architectural, historic, or archaeological significance according to NPS guidelines.
• Writes meeting minutes for Review Committee and assists with presentations and compliance with LA State Law.
• Maintains National Register websites, guidance, and digital/physical archives; develops webinars and updates databases.
• Prepares articles for professional publications on historic preservation and related topics.
• Conducts National Register informational seminars and training for Local Governments, organizations, and the public.
• Develops and recommends policy for the National Register program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

National Register process

Technical assistance

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture/architectural history/humanities/historic preservation/cultural resource management/museum studies

Job description

This is a full-time position located at the Capitol Annex Building in Baton Rouge, LA.

Agency Vision:

The Office of Cultural Development’s vision is to promote a Louisiana that values and embraces Louisiana cultural assets as essential in shaping a vibrant future for our communities and citizens.

Agency Mission:

The Office of Cultural Development serves the citizens of Louisiana by preserving, supporting, developing, and promoting Louisiana culture, including archaeology, arts, French language and historic places.

Agency Philosophy Statement:

Louisiana’s cultural assets enhance communities, the economy, education, and quality of life in our state. It is the Office of Cultural Development’s duty to serve the people of Louisiana by preserving, supporting, developing, and promoting our archaeology, arts, French language, and historic places.

A bachelor’s degree in architecture, architectural history, a humanities field, historic preservation, cultural resource management, or museum studies.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Reviews and edits multiple drafts of nomination or amendment documents and support materials for placing historic properties in the National Register of Historic Places. Prepares and submits documentation for relocation requests and removal of properties from the Register.
• Provides technical assistance to applicants and colleagues. Recommends needed changes to ensure that nominations are technically correct. Works on-on-one with owners and consultants to develop alternative proposals where needed.
• Coordinates the entire nomination process including establishing and meetings deadlines for legal notifications, Certified Local Government notifications, and nomination submissions according to NPS relations.
• Prepares multiple types of correspondence, including eligibility confirmations, legal notices, and National Register certificates.
• Conducts technical inspections of properties to determine approximate age of historic and non-historic alterations; assesses properties for architectural, historic, or archaeological significance according to NPS guidelines. Provides determinations of Register eligibility for tax credit and Section 106 project staff, as well as property owners.
• Conduct all aspects of the state-appointed review committee meetings public hearing held at least three times a year. Assists nomination presenters with PowerPoint presentations and writes the Review Committee meeting minutes in accordance with LA State Law and all applicable Federal requirements.
• Monitors Review Committee members’ eligibility term limits, recommends replacement committee members, and conducts required yearly training sessions for committee members.
• Maintains the National Register website, National Register guidance documents, digital archives, and physical archives for Louisiana; creates webinars and keeps the publicly accessible database of National Register properties updated.
• Prepares articles for professional publications on matters involving historic preservation, building restoration, and various office programs. Attends state and national preservation conferences and present information on various topics.
• Conducts National Register informational seminars on local and statewide levels. Provides National Register training to Certified Local Governments, neighborhood associations, non-profit organizations, municipalities, DHP staff, student workers, and the public at large.
• Develops and recommends policy and procedures concerning the National Register of Historic Places program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Position-Specific Details:

• Appointment Type: This may be filled as a probational, promotional, or detail to special duty. Current permanent status state employees may be required to accept a probational appointment.
• Career Progression: This position is in a Career Progression Group to an Architectural Historian 2. As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as an Architectural Historian 1 or 2 based on the qualifications of the selected applicant. Please refer to the “Class Specifications” page for specific information of salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time position that reports in-office. This position may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays and/or overtime. This position may be required to travel.
• Compensation: Compensation offered will be dependent on level of experience and certification, so please be sure to include all education and work experience for consideration.

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism are participants in the E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes.

Louisiana as a State, is a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.