Associate Project Architectural Historian

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Chicago, IL seeks an Associate Project Architectural Historian to support our local team. The role involves historic research, documenting properties, and producing historic resource evaluations while assisting in developing new clients.

This is a regular, full-time, hourly, non-exempt position with benefits, with hybrid options near Chicago or Cincinnati or remote distribution in the Midwest.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation, Public History, Heritage Conservation, Architectural History, or closely related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in cultural resources management as an architectural historian or similar.
• Knowledge of federal and state cultural resources laws and Section 106.
• Willingness to travel up to 35%.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet SWCA's driver requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conducts intensive historic research using digital and in-person methods.
• Documents historic properties during fieldwork and prepares evaluations.
• Prepares historic resource evaluations and context sections with minimal edits.
• Manages projects and delivers on client requirements.
• Directs and mentors junior architectural historians.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Communication skills

Travel up to 35%

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation, Public History, Heritage Conservation, Architectural History, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Associate Project Architectural Historian to support our Chicago, IL team. This position will perform a variety of office and field tasks including historic research, documentation of historic properties, completion of historic resource evaluations/assessments, and assisting in developing new clients. This is a regular, full-time, hourly/non-exempt position with benefits. Qualified individuals can either work in a hybrid work environment near our Chicago or Cincinnati offices or be distributed (= remote) in the Midwest.

Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges. We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Conducts intensive level, primary, and secondary research, using both digital and in-person methods to gather and analyze data on the built environment.
• Demonstrates understanding of the appropriate national, state, and local regulatory nexuses, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing historic preservation and cultural resource management.
• Writes historic context sections, building descriptions, property histories, and historic resource evaluations with little to no oversight, requiring minimal edits, demonstrating strong writing and analytical skills.
• Leads fieldwork and effectively documents historic properties, showcasing proficiency in identifying, recording, and evaluating historic resources.
• Manages assigned projects, demonstrating project management skills including planning, execution, and oversight of project deliverables.
• Directs other architectural historians on tasks, providing guidance and leadership to less experienced team members, fostering skill development and project contributions.
• Assists in task management of history-specific sections of projects, contributing to the successful completion of project deliverables and meeting client and regulatory requirements.
• Communicates effectively with diverse groups, including clients, agencies, the public, and individuals connected to the history of a resource or area, in interdisciplinary settings.
• Innovates and adapts methods to meet future client needs, staying ahead in their field discipline.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Conducts and oversees historic resource evaluations and significance assessments using applicable local, state, and National Register of Historic Places criteria.
• Prepares and reviews defensible compliance documentation supporting Section 106 and other historic preservation regulatory requirements.
• Ensures technical accuracy, defensibility, and consistency of work products in accordance with professional, agency, and industry standards.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. Three years of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Five years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience And Qualifications For Success

• Bachelor’s Degree in Historic Preservation, Public History, Heritage Conservation, Architectural History, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in cultural resources management as an architectural historian or similar.
• A working knowledge of federal and state cultural resources and historic preservation laws and practices, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history/architectural history of the region.
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills.
• Travel may be required up to 35% of the time.
• Applicants must have valid driver's license and be able to meet SWCA's driver requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation, Public History, Heritage Conservation, Architectural History, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in cultural resources management as an architectural historian or similar.

Other Job Conditions

Safety Expectations: Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Chicago based position is $31.36 to $40.02 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance based bonuses.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail] or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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