Historic Zoning Administrator

Metro Nashville Planning Department; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 106,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro Nashville Planning Department's Historic Zoning Division seeks a Historic Zoning Administrator to uphold the integrity of Nashville’s historic districts and guide property owners, developers, and community members through the needs of 21st-century living with clarity and confidence.

The role oversees program administration, staff supervision, and case review oversight, coordinating with the Metropolitan Historical Commission and other departments to ensure consistent application of

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of preservation principles and standards.
• Familiarity with Nashville and Tennessee zoning laws.
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings and technical reports.
• Professional certifications (AICP or AIA) preferred but not required.
• Supervisory experience in planning or historic preservation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administration and enforcement of local historic zoning ordinances and guidelines.
• Manage and mentor staff supporting historic zoning functions.
• Direct staff reviews, research, community engagement, and Commission materials.
• Lead preservation permit reviews and prepare staff recommendations.
• Serve as liaison to the Historic Zoning Commission and coordinate agendas.
• Develop updates to design guidelines and related documents.
• Conduct research on historic properties and preservation best practices.
• Coordinate with permitting and Development Services for consistent regulations.
• Collaborate with the Metropolitan Historical Commission on operations and programs.
• Monitor compliance with Preservation Permits and follow up on violations.
• Maintain accurate case records and historic resources data.
• Provide technical guidance to property owners, applicants, and the public; support outreach and education on preservation requirements.

Skills

Preservation principles

SOI Standards

Zoning regulations

Staff supervision

Research & documentation

Public engagement

Communication skills

Plain-language briefing

Cultural sensitivity

Architectural history

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in historic preservation or related field

Job description

Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and that growth is reshaping neighborhoods, skylines, and streetscapes at a pace few American cities have experienced. Amid that change, historic zoning overlays are one of the city's tools for protecting the character, scale, and architecture that make Nashville's neighborhoods distinct, ensuring that growth adds to the city's identity. The Historic Zoning Administrator plays a central role in that effort by leading the team that upholds the integrity of the city's historic districts while helping property owners, developers, and community members navigate the needs of 21st century living with clarity and confidence.

The Historic Zoning Division is housed within the Metro Planning Department to administer and enforce local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, supporting the Metro Historic Zoning Commission (MHZC), and coordinating with their partners in preservation, such as the Metropolitan Historical Commission and staff, to ensure preservation programs and procedures remain aligned across Metro Nashville.

General Purpose of the Job

Historic Zoning Administrator plays a central role by upholding the integrity of the city's historic districts while helping property owners, developers, and community members navigate the needs of 21st century living with clarity and confidence.

Division Structure

Reports to the Assistant Director

Supervises: Senior Preservationists, Preservationists, and the Historic Zoning Inspector

Duties & Responsibilities

• Program Administration. Oversee the administration and enforcement of local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, ensuring consistent and accurate application across all cases.
• Staff Management & Mentorship. Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff who support historic zoning functions, ensuring high-quality professional work in serving both the Commission and the community.
• Case Review Oversight. Provide direction and oversight for staff case reviews, research, community engagement, and preparation of Commission materials.
• Preservation Permit Review. Lead and coordinate the review process for Preservation Permits (certificates of appropriateness), including working with applicants, reviewing plans, and preparing or approving staff recommendations.
• Commission Liaison. Serve as the primary liaison to the Historic Zoning Commission, preparing agendas, reports, and meeting materials, and ensuring staff alignment with Commission expectations. Coordinate the Commission's agenda in collaboration with other Metro preservation staff whose work comes before the Commission, including matters originating outside the division.
• Policy Development. Lead or support updates to design guidelines and documents related to historic zoning.
• Research & Technical Guidance. Conduct and oversee research on historic properties, architectural styles, and preservation best practices to support Commission and staff decision-making.
• Cross-Departmental Coordination. Coordinate with permitting and Development Services departments to ensure consistent application of regulations.
• Interagency Alignment. Work in coordination with staff of the Metropolitan Historical Commission to promote alignment on operational and program-level matters related to serving the Historic Zoning Commission.
• Compliance Monitoring. Monitor compliance with approved Preservation Permits and guide staff in follow-up actions on potential violations.
• Records Management. Maintain accurate and organized records of cases, decisions, and historic resource data.
• Public Resource & Outreach. Serve as a primary resource for property owners, applicants, community members, partner agencies, and elected officials, supporting the preservation of historic resources through technical expertise, collaboration, and responsive customer service. Assist Planning and Historical Commission staff with community outreach and education on preservation requirements, incentives, and historic resources.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of preservation principles, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, and relevant local/state preservation regulations.
• Familiarity with the history and zoning laws of Nashville and Tennessee.
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings, site plans, and technical reports, and guide staff in doing the same.
• Professional certifications (such as AICP or AIA) preferred but not required.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience in a planning, zoning, or historic preservation environment.
• Skills in research, documentation, and case management, with experience overseeing others performing this work.
• Experience managing public processes and working with diverse stakeholders, including property owners, developers, builders, and community organizations.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creative problem-solving in a politically complex regulatory environment.
• Strong communication skills, including presentation, facilitation, and the ability to advise both staff and appointed bodies.
• Ability to present technical information to lay people in ways they can understand, including communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, in plain-language narratives for the general public.
• Ability to value and respect cultural differences, and balance different perspectives.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, urban planning, public administration, or a related field, preferably with postgraduate training focused on planning and land use, and at least ten (10) years of experience working in historic zoning or a related field.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Compensation

Annual salary is $117,442.

Equality and Diversity

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

The Planning Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline or any other employment practices because of non-merit factors shall be prohibited. For ADA inquiries, contact Randi Semrick, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at [phone] or e-mail her at [e-mail]. For Title VI inquiries, contact Human Relations at [phone]. For all employment-related inquiries, contact Human Resources at [phone].