On-Call Project Architectural Historian

WSP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 72,000 - 107,000; Part time

Job summary

WSP seeks an On-Call Project Architectural Historian to support Heritage & Cultural Resources in Washington, DC, Arlington, VA, or Herndon, VA. This hourly role involves leading field surveys, research, and reporting for federal, state, and commercial clients.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in Historic Architecture or related field and 10 years of post-education experience, with Master’s preferred. Strong writing, organization, and data synthesis skills are essential for project success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Historic Architecture or related field is required.
• 10 years of relevant post-education experience as an historian or architectural historian.
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards (36 CFR 61) in Historic Preservation.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Familiarity with digital photography and standard office software.
• Experience with historic surveys, NR criteria, and archival research.
• Ability to synthesize field data with archival research.
• Excellent written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with professional architectural history work, research, report writing, and documentation of historic resources.
• Comply with safety guidelines during resource surveys.
• Maintain quality control standards for reporting and documentation.
• Apply NPS and DOI guidance to evaluate historic significance and project effects.
• Adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and company policies.
• Perform additional duties as required by business needs.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent written communication

Familiarity with digital photography

MS Access and MS Excel

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Historic Architecture, Historic Preservation, History, or related field

Master’s Degree (MA/MHP) or graduate certificate in Historic Architecture/Preservation/History

Tools

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an On-Call Project Architectural Historian for our Washington, DC, Arlington, Virginia, or Herndon, Virginia offices. Other office locations in Virginia will be considered. Be involved in projects with our Heritage & Cultural Resources, Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges.

Projects include a wide range of federal, state, and commercial clients with many new opportunities and interesting project locations. WSP Project Architectural Historians are principal investigators, field survey leaders, detailed researchers, and authors of technical reports. This position is an on-call, hourly position. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Your Impact

• Assist with performing professional architectural history work relating to cultural resource management, assisting in research, report writing, and documentation of historic above-ground resources.

• Comply with safety guidelines and site-specific procedures during resource surveys.

• Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise reporting, evaluation, and documentation.

• Utilize National Park Service (NPS) and Secretary of the Interior’s guidance in evaluating the historic significance of above-ground resources and in determining effects of a project upon historic resources.

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.

• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Historic Architecture, Historic Preservation, History, or related field.
• 10 years of relevant post-education experience working as an historian, architectural historian, or similar role.
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards (36 CFR 61) in Historic Preservation and/or History thorough understanding of architectural resource significance recommendations and justifications.
• Strong organizational skills
• Familiarity with digital photography as well as standard office computer applications.
• Skills directly associated with industry standard above-ground historic architectural and cultural historic surveys, including familiarity with historic American architectural forms, styles and details, archival research, standard documentation of field investigations, preparation of architectural reports including resource descriptions, maintenance and treatment plans, historic context, and significance assessments under National Register criteria.
• Ability to address project research questions through a synthesis of data from the field, analysis of archival research, and incorporation of relevant published research.
• Excellent written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (MA/MHP) or graduate level certificate in Historic Architecture, Historic Preservation, History, or related field.
• Eight years of demonstrable experience in Cultural Resource Management is preferred.
• Experience performing surveys and reporting with State Historic Preservation Offices in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and surrounding states.
• Experience with digital workflows for field survey including the use of Microsoft Access Databases and Microsoft Excel.
• A technical skill or specialty such as, but not limited to, American architecture, historic bridges, cultural landscapes, cemetery investigations, archival research, preservation planning, HABS/HAER/ HALS recordation, National Register nominations, etc.
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Compensation:

Expected Salary: $52.00 - $78.00/hr

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law