Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Manager

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County seeks a Cultural Resources & Historic Preservation Manager to lead a nationally recognized public-sector preservation program in Southern Arizona. The role blends archaeology, historic preservation, tribal engagement, environmental planning, and design within a dynamic development context.

You will guide compliance, mentor staff, and collaborate with tribal governments, agencies, planners, engineers, and the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission to advance preservation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Advanced cultural resources regulatory compliance leadership in NHPA Section 106 and Arizona Antiquities Act implementation.
• Experienced supervisor with performance evaluations, mentoring, and workload management in a cultural resources or historic preservation context.
• Regular coordination with tribal governments and state/federal regulators in a cultural resources context.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and mentors compliance program staff, assigns tasks, tracks progress, and conducts evaluations.
• Oversees countywide compliance with NHPA and Arizona Antiquities Act for county and private sector projects.
• Serves as liaison between the County and local, state, and federal agencies, tribal governments, and the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission.
• Represents county projects for regulatory review and oversees Historic Zone and Landmark Zone designations.
• Advises developers, planners, and architects on integrating historic preservation into projects.
• Supports educational initiatives to enhance public awareness of cultural resource compliance.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Supervisory experience

Tribal coordination

Policy experience

GIS management

Arizona Antiquities Act PI

Education

Graduate degree in history/archaeology/anthropology/historic preservation (M.A./Ph.D.)

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Job Overview

Help lead one of the nation’s most progressive cultural resources programs. Pima County is seeking a Cultural Resources & Historic Preservation Manager to help lead a nationally recognized public‑sector preservation program in Southern Arizona. This is more than a traditional compliance role. The successful candidate will help guide how archaeology, historic preservation, tribal engagement, environmental planning, design, infrastructure delivery, and public stewardship come together early in the project‑development process.

As part of Pima County’s Conservation Lands and Resources Department, you will join an interdisciplinary team working across a conservation‑land network of more than 250,000 acres. While the position’s primary focus is cultural resources compliance, the work connects preservation, conservation, planning, and public infrastructure to protect archaeological sites, historic places, cultural landscapes, and the broader resources that define Southern Arizona.

Working with the Pima County Historic Preservation Officer, this manager will oversee countywide regulatory review, mentor professional staff, guide complex public and private‑sector projects, and work directly with tribal governments, agencies, planners, architects, engineers, developers, and the Tucson‑Pima County Historical Commission.

This is an opportunity to lead meaningful work, shape policy and practice, and help advance a program that goes beyond minimum compliance.

Essential Functions

• Supervises and mentors compliance program staff by assigning tasks, tracking progress, providing professional development, and conducting performance evaluations to ensure effective regulatory compliance.
• Oversees County‑wide compliance with federal, state, and local preservation laws including the National Historic Preservation Act and the Arizona Antiquities Act for both County projects and private sector activities.
• Assists in implementing Pima County Board of Supervisors Policy C3.17 requiring cultural resource protection, ensuring documentation and reporting accuracy.
• Manages compliance databases and GIS mapping systems, maintaining accurate and secure records.
• Assists the Historic Preservation Officer by serving as a point of contact between Pima County and local, state, and federal agencies, tribal governments, and the Tucson‑Pima County Historical Commission.
• Present County projects for regulatory review and oversees Historic Zone and Landmark Zone designation applications.
• Advise developers, planners, and architects on integrating historic preservation into their projects.
• Support educational initiatives and partnerships to enhance public awareness of cultural resource compliance and preservation.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) from an accredited college or university in history, archaeology, anthropology, historic preservation, or a closely related field as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND three years’ experience in cultural resources management, historic preservation or a related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment INCLUDING two years of supervisory and/or managerial experience. Also, meets Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology or architectural history or historic architecture. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.) Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced cultural resources regulatory compliance leadership: demonstrated experience with complex, multi‑jurisdictional cultural resources compliance programs involving NHPA Section 106 and Arizona Antiquities Act implementation, including responsibility for eligibility determinations and effects findings.
• Supervisory & program oversight experience: direct supervision of professional staff, including performance evaluation, mentoring, and workload management within a cultural resources or historic preservation context.
• Tribal & intergovernmental coordination: experience with regular coordination with tribal governments and state and/or federal regulatory agencies in a cultural resources compliance context.
• Public sector preservation policy experience: employment with a public agency and experience implementing cultural resources preservation policies, ordinances, or board/council directives.
• Compliance systems, database, or GIS management: experience managing or administering cultural resources compliance tracking systems, databases, GIS platforms, or similar regulatory information systems.
• Arizona Antiquities Act Professional Qualifications: qualified as a Project Director or Principal Investigator under the rules implementing the Arizona Antiquities Act (A.R.S. 41‑841, et seq., 41‑865).

Selection Procedure

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Licenses and Certificates

Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39‑month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Background Checks

The County requires pre‑employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post‑offer, pre‑employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

Work requires visual and auditory acuity; clear verbal communication; and manual dexterity for computer use and document handling. Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods, walk over uneven terrain, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Any additional physical and sensory work requirements will be determined by position.

Working Conditions

Working conditions will be determined by the position.

EEO Information

Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.