Historic Zoning Administrator

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County seeks an Historic Zoning Administrator to lead the Historic Zoning Division in guiding Nashville's preservation ordinance enforcement and design guidelines. You will oversee staff, coordinate with the Historic Zoning Commission and partners, prepare materials, and ensure rigorous application of preservation standards while serving property owners, developers, and the community.

This is a full-time on-site role based in Nashville, TN.

Qualifications

• Bachelor'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 five (5) years of experience working in historic zoning or a related field.
• No Substitutions
• Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration and enforcement of local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, ensuring consistent and accurate application across all cases.
• Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff who support historic zoning functions, ensuring high-quality professional work in serving both the Commission and the community.
• Provide direction and oversight for staff case reviews, research, community engagement, and preparation of Commission materials.
• Lead and coordinate the review process for Preservation Permits, including working with applicants, reviewing plans, and preparing or approving staff recommendations.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Historic Zoning Commission, preparing agendas, reports, and meeting materials, and ensuring staff alignment with Commission expectations.
• Lead or support updates to design guidelines and documents related to historic zoning.
• Conduct and oversee research on historic properties, architectural styles, and preservation best practices to support Commission and staff decision-making.
• Coordinate with permitting and Development Services departments to ensure consistent application of regulations.
• Work with staff of the Metropolitan Historical Commission to promote alignment on operational and program-level matters.
• Monitor compliance with approved Preservation Permits and guide staff in follow-up actions on potential violations.
• Maintain accurate records of cases, decisions, and historic resource data.
• Serve as a primary resource for property owners, applicants, community members, partner agencies, and elected officials, supporting preservation through technical expertise and responsive customer service.

Skills

Advanced preservation knowledge

Standards familiarity

Zoning law familiarity

Staff supervision

Research and documentation

Public engagement

Education

Bachelor'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.

Historic Zoning Administrator position is a part of the Historic Zoning Division which 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. The Historic Zoning Administrator manages and coordinates the daily activities of the historic zoning program, overseeing case preparation, staff performance, and commission processes to ensure consistent and effective implementation of adopted design guidelines and procedures. The position will also apply administrative determinations and interpretations as authorized by local and state legislation, and as directed by the Historic Zoning Commission.

• Oversee the administration and enforcement of local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, ensuring consistent and accurate application across all cases.
• Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff who support historic zoning functions, ensuring high-quality professional work in serving both the Commission and the community.
• Provide direction and oversight for staff case reviews, research, community engagement, and preparation of Commission materials.
• Lead and coordinate the review process for Preservation Permits (certificates of appropriateness), including working with applicants, reviewing plans, and preparing or approving staff recommendations.
• 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.
• Lead or support updates to design guidelines and documents related to historic zoning.
• Conduct and oversee research on historic properties, architectural styles, and preservation best practices to support Commission and staff decision-making.
• Coordinate with permitting and Development Services departments to ensure consistent application of regulations.
• 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.
• Monitor compliance with approved Preservation Permits and guide staff in follow-up actions on potential violations.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of cases, decisions, and historic resource data.
• 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.

Bachelor'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 five (5) years of experience working in historic zoning or a related field.

*No Substitutions

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

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.

• 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
• Professional certifications (such as AICP or AIA)
• 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

Candidate materials will be accepted through October 5, 2026

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

For ADA inquiries, contact Randi Semrick, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at [phone]