Historic Preservation Assistant

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Class A SDRS retirement

Job summary

The South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office in Pierre, SD is seeking a part-time Historic Preservation Assistant to support outreach, education, and SHPO programs. The role includes coordinating annual Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month activities, student essay contests, archaeology camps, and assisting with National Register reviews and surveys.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in a historic field, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation, Historic Architecture, Architectural History, History, Public History, Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Interest in public outreach, education, and opportunities to engage South Dakotans in historic preservation.
• Ability to perform a combination of administrative, program-support, research, outreach, and technical‑assistance duties.
• Willingness to become a commissioned South Dakota Notary Public, if requested.

Responsibilities

• Prepare press releases and update the SHPO website.
• Assist with coordination of Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month activities, including Student Essay Contest and Archaeology Camp.
• Provide administrative and program support for National Register of Historic Places, survey, and other SHPO programs.
• Assist Review & Compliance staff with ERC project management.

Skills

Correspondence

Databases

Public outreach

Administrative support

Notary services

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation or related field

Job description

Historic Preservation Assistant

Location: Pierre, SD. Salary: $23.56/hr. Pay Grade: H. Closing Date: 09/24/2026. Agency: Department of Education.

Come join an exciting and collaborative team at the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)! Our mission is to identify, protect, and preserve South Dakota's historic and cultural resources.

The Historic Preservation Assistant is an integral part of our team and provides support across nearly every program area of the SHPO. This position has key responsibilities in public outreach and education, including preparing press releases, updating the SHPO website, and assisting with coordination of annual Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month activities, including the Student Essay Contest and Archaeology Camp.

The position will also assist with the Certified Local Government program and SHPO year-end reporting for the Historic Preservation Fund. Working in coordination with Historic Preservation Specialists and other SHPO staff, the position will provide administrative and program support for National Register of Historic Places and survey activities, historic and cultural resource project reviews, financial incentive programs, special projects, and other historic preservation activities.

The position may also assist Review & Compliance staff with administrative management of incoming projects, including assigning projects within the Electronic Review and Compliance (ERC) system.

This is a Part-Time < 20 Hours weekly position with the Department of Education.

The Ideal Candidate

• Will work well with others and contribute effectively to a supportive and collaborative team environment. They should have a friendly and professional demeanor and an interest in working with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, organizations, property owners, consultants, and members of the general public.
• The individual should have a particular interest in public outreach, education, and opportunities to engage South Dakotans in historic preservation. The position requires the ability to perform a combination of administrative, program-support, research, outreach, and technical‑assistance duties while working collaboratively with SHPO professional staff.
• They should demonstrate good judgment, organizational ability, attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities.
• A bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation, Historic Architecture, Architectural History, History, Public History, Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field is preferred. Relevant education, work, volunteer, or other equivalent experience will also be considered.
• They should be willing and able to become a commissioned South Dakota Notary Public, if requested.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Correspondence – Creates, proofreads, and edits correspondence, reports, public information materials, and other documents to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Databases, Records, and Files – Establishes, updates, and maintains program information, records, and files in various systems. Assists Review & Compliance staff with administrative management of incoming projects, including assignment of projects within the Electronic Review and Compliance (ERC) system.
• Policies, Procedures, and Processes – Develops familiarity with and assists staff in administering policies, procedures, and processes related to federal and state historic preservation programs.
• Historic Preservation Program Assistance – Provides administrative and program support to Historic Preservation Specialists working with National Register of Historic Places, survey, Certified Local Government, financial incentive, Review & Compliance, and other SHPO programs.
• State and Federal Financial Incentive Programs for Historic Properties – Assists Historic Preservation Specialists with administration of federal and state financial incentive programs for historic properties and provides appropriate program information to property owners and members of the public.
• Special Projects – Assists SHPO staff with special projects, including projects involving contracts with private vendors and partner organizations.
• Technical and Administrative Assistance – Provides appropriate administrative and technical assistance, in coordination with SHPO professional staff, to government agencies, organizations, property owners, consultants, and members of the public.
• Public Outreach and Education – Assists with development and dissemination of information about historic preservation programs, funding opportunities, laws, regulations, and preservation activities. Helps prepare presentations, press releases, website content, educational materials, and public programs.
• Annual Programs and Events – Assists with planning and coordination of Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month, the Student Essay Contest, Archaeology Camp, and other SHPO outreach activities and events.
• Notary Services – Obtains and maintains a South Dakota Notary Public commission, if requested, and provides notarial services in support of appropriate office activities.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option
• eleven paid holidays
• generous vacation and sick leave accrual
• dental, vision, and other insurance options
• retirement benefits
• Class A retirement under SDRS

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'