Planning and Interpretation Coordinator

City of Fairfax; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fairfax seeks a skilled preservation professional to support planning, interpretation, and regulatory work for the City’s historic resources, including museums and historic sites.

The role involves archival research, collaboration with departments and consultants, and development of interpretive plans to ensure accurate storytelling and compliance with professional standards.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Historic Preservation or closely related field is required.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in historic preservation, preservation planning, or related field.
• Knowledge of preservation standards and interpretive planning.
• Ability to conduct archival and field research using primary and secondary sources.
• Experience coordinating with City departments, consultants, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Support preservation planning and regulatory compliance processes for city projects.
• Coordinate with City departments, consultants, and partner organizations under the Historic Resources Manager.
• Conduct archival, documentary, and field research for preservation planning and interpretation.
• Prepare and maintain preservation planning documents and interpretive frameworks.
• Develop interpretive master plans and thematic frameworks for historic sites and museum facilities.
• Assist in coordinating outside consultants and managing project deliverables.
• Provide content review for exhibitions, signage, publications, and public materials.

Skills

Historical research

Public history

Collaboration

Communication

Technical report writing

Education

Master's degree in Historic Preservation

Job description

The position will be a member of the Historic Resources Division and will report to the Historic Resources Manager. Work is performed under the general direction of the Historic Resources Manager, who retains approval authority over regulatory compliance determinations, final planning documents, and external commitments to consultants and partner organizations. Work includes occasional evenings, weekend, and holiday hours for City meetings, public programs, special events, and project coordination. The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday.

The position supports the preservation, planning, and interpretation of the City's historic resources, including the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center and the City's historic sites. Responsibilities include preservation planning support, regulatory compliance coordination, historical research, interpretive planning support, and coordination with City departments, consultants, and partner organizations under the direction of the Historic Resources Manager.

Coordinates and tracks preservation compliance processes related to city projects, historic resources, and other regulatory processes affecting historic properties owned or managed by the city, referring compliance determinations to the Historic Resources Manager.

Provides technical guidance on the treatment, rehabilitation, and maintenance of historic buildings, landscapes, and collections in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and other professional preservation guidelines.

Supports coordination between the Historic Resources Division and other City departments, consultants, project managers, and advisory bodies regarding preservation planning and historic resource considerations in City projects and capital improvements, referring policy-level or contractual matters to the Historic Resources Manager.

Conducts archival, documentary, and field research related to the City’s historic properties, museum collections, and community history in support of preservation planning, interpretation, exhibitions, and public programs.

Assists in developing, preparing and maintaining preservation planning documents, including Historic Structure Reports, Historic Furnishings plans, cultural resource documentation, and interpretive frameworks.

Coordinates the development of interpretive master plans and thematic frameworks for the City’s historic sites and museum facilities, working collaboratively with staff responsible for programming, exhibitions, and collections to ensure consistency in interpretive goals and storytelling.

Works collaboratively with staff to ensure historical accuracy and alignment of interpretive themes across exhibits, educational programs, publications, signage, and digital content.

Identifies potential grant funding opportunities related to preservation planning, historical research, and interpretation; assists in preparing grant applications and supporting documentation, for opportunities approved by the Historic Resources Manager.

Assists in coordinating the work of outside consultants engaged in preservation planning, research, and interpretive planning projects, including supporting scope development, procurement processes, and monitoring project deliverables.

Provides historical research support and content review for exhibitions, interpretive signage, publications, and public-facing materials developed by the Historic Resources Division.

Responds to inquiries from City staff, partner organizations, and members of the public regarding Fairfax history, historic preservation, and City historic resources.

Speaks publicly about Fairfax history and historic preservation in support of outreach, public education, and project coordination.

Performs related work as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Master's degree in Historic Preservation, Public History, American History, Museum Studies, American Studies, Architectural History, or a closely related field.

Three years of progressively responsible experience in historic preservation, preservation planning, museum interpretation, public history, or a closely related field.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of American and regional history.

Knowledge of Fairfax area history and Civil War history.

Knowledge of the principles of public history, interpretation, and historic education.

Knowledge of historic preservation principles and practices.

Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Knowledge of preservation planning documents, including Historic Structure Reports, Cultural Landscape Reports, furnishings plans, and interpretive plans.

Ability to conduct historical and archival research using primary and secondary sources.

Ability to prepare clear technical reports and planning documents.

Ability to collaborate effectively with City staff, consultants, volunteers, and the public.

Ability to communicate complex historical and preservation concepts to both professional and public audiences.

Ability to perform administrative and organizational work in support of division operations.

Ability to deal effectively with citizen inquiries and complaints.

Additional Desirable Qualification:

Experience in budgeting and financial management.

Experience preparing Historic Structure Reports, Historic Furnishings Plans, Cultural Landscape Reports, Interpretive Plans, or similar preservation planning documents.

Experience administering preservation grants.

Experience working in a municipal government or public museum environment.

Familiarity with GIS, collections management software, or digital interpretation platforms.