Associate Project Architectural Historian

SWCA, Incorporated; Lombard (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Chicago, IL is seeking an Associate Project Architectural Historian to support our Midwest team. The role covers historic research, documenting properties, and preparing evaluations, with hybrid work options near Chicago or Cincinnati, or remote distribution in the Midwest.

You will lead fieldwork, manage projects, mentor junior historians, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local preservation laws. Travel up to 35% may be required.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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 meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conducts intensive level, primary, and secondary research on the built environment.
• Documents historic properties and prepares historic resource evaluations.
• Leads fieldwork and documents historic resources with minimal edits.
• Manages assigned projects, including planning and oversight of deliverables.
• Directs other architectural historians and mentors less experienced staff.
• Assists in task management of history-specific sections of projects to meet client and regulatory requirements.
• Communicates effectively with clients, agencies, the public, and other stakeholders in interdisciplinary settings.
• Follows federal, tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations and standards.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Communication skills

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Historic Preservation

Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation (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.

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.

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.