Historic Preservation Specialist

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Historic Preservation Specialist to support the Environmental Review Division in planning and protecting archaeological resources during project development. You will advise agencies, improve review processes, and contribute to collection management and digital records such as PA SHARE.

Responsibilities include identifying resources, streamlining consultations with partners, data digitization, long‑term curation, and outreach to volunteers and interns

Qualifications

• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for History, Archeology, Architectural History, Architecture, or Historic Architecture.
• At least 2 years of experience advising and assisting state and federal agencies, organizations, and/or individuals with consideration of historic properties and archaeological sites in project planning.
• At least 2 years of experience interpreting and applying National Park Service guidance regarding evaluation of historic properties for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
• Ability to perform essential job functions.

Responsibilities

• Resource Identification: Assist agencies in recognizing and considering archaeological resources during planning
• Process Streamlining: Support efforts to improve consultation and review procedures with federal, state, and local partners
• Data Management: Develop and maintain digital archaeological collections records to enhance accessibility and integration with PA SHARE
• Digitization Guidance: Implement guidance that improves digitization and availability of archaeological collection records for agencies, applicants, and consultants
• Curation Support: Aid in long term curation, guideline updates, and collaboration with Commonwealth partners on cultural resource management plans
• Training and Outreach: Provide direction to volunteers and interns, and participate in meetings, conferences, and professional development

Skills

Agency advisory experience

Historic properties knowledge

Job description

The Historic Preservation Specialist with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Environmental Review Division, is your chance to make a lasting mark on the places that tell our shared story. This role offers the opportunity to support important preservation work that shapes how communities grow. You will help agencies plan projects responsibly, while protecting archaeological resources for future generations. Join us and take pride in advancing meaningful public service.

This role supports the Environmental Review Division by helping agencies identify, manage, and preserve archaeological resources during project planning. It also advances the improvement of collection management and review processes. As a Historic Preservation Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Resource Identification: Assist agencies in recognizing and considering archaeological resources during planning
• Process Streamlining: Support efforts to improve consultation and review procedures with federal, state, and local partners
• Data Management: Develop and maintain digital archaeological collections records to enhance accessibility and integration with PA SHARE
• Digitization Guidance: Implement guidance that improves digitization and availability of archaeological collection records for agencies, applicants, and consultants
• Curation Support: Aid in long term curation, guideline updates, and collaboration with Commonwealth partners on cultural resource management plans
• Training and Outreach: Provide direction to volunteers and interns, and participate in meetings, conferences, and professional development

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. This position will work remotely three days a week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for History, Archeology, Architectural History, Architecture, or Historic Architecture.

Additional details regarding the Secretary of Interior Professional Qualification Standards can be found here.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have at least 2 years of experience in advising and assisting state and federal agencies, organizations, and/or individuals with the consideration of historic properties and archaeological sites in project planning.
• You must have at least 2 years of experience interpreting and applying National Park Service guidance regarding the evaluation of historic properties for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Experience working on collaborative team projects and completing independent tasks to implement team goals.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.