Associate Project Architectural Historian

SWCA, Incorporated; Lombard, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Chicago, IL is seeking an Associate Project Architectural Historian to support our team with historic research, documentation of properties, and assessments. Hybrid work near Chicago or Cincinnati, or remote within the Midwest, is available.

The role involves leading fieldwork, guiding junior historians, and managing project deliverables while ensuring regulatory compliance under 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.
• A working knowledge of federal and state cultural resources and historic preservation laws and practices, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills.
• Travel may be required up to 35% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Conducts intensive level, primary, and secondary research to analyze data on the built environment.
• Writes historic context sections, building descriptions, property histories, and historic resource evaluations with minimal edits.
• Leads fieldwork and documents historic properties with proficiency in recording and evaluating resources.
• Manages assigned projects including planning, execution, and oversight of deliverables.
• Directs other architectural historians and provides guidance to junior staff.
• Assists in task management of history-specific sections of projects and ensures regulatory requirements are met.

Skills

Research

Writing

Communication

Travel

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation

Master's degree in Historic Preservation

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 areidentified.Thisposition may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool isestablished.

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.