Preservation Manager, Mid-coast Maine

Historic New England; Dresden (ME); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Historic New England seeks a Preservation Manager for the Mid-Coast Maine region to oversee preservation, maintenance, and capital improvements across a group of properties. The role is hands-on and includes coordinating the property care team, collections staff, site managers, and the development office to secure funding for projects.

The position requires surveying properties, planning annual work and budgets, and managing maintenance and tenant issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum 4 years of experience, or equivalent combination of skilled credentials.
• Strong Property Management or Preservation background.
• Understanding of a broad range of maintenance activities.
• Understanding of a broad range of project management activities including project development, procurement, and oversight.
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of standard preservation concepts.

Responsibilities

• Survey properties to understand needs, document conditions, and propose a prioritized annual work plan and budget.
• Develop and implement projects; identify funding sources and assist with grants.
• Coordinate or manage maintenance, tenant apartments and leases, and respond to emergencies.

Skills

Property management

Preservation

Maintenance

Project management

Budgeting

Communication

Team collaboration

MS Word & Excel

Research & writing

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE

The Preservation Manager, Mid-Coast Maine, is responsible for overseeing preservation, maintenance, and capital improvements for a collection of properties in and around Mid-Coast Maine. In addition to developing and overseeing projects and regular maintenance, this position is expected to be hands‑on manager who also performs basic maintenance responsibilities to keep properties operating smoothly. The preservation manager is responsible for coordinating work within the property care team and with other Historic New England teams including collections staff, the historic site managers who manage day‑to‑day operation of the properties, and the development office in the raising of funds for the work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Regularly surveys properties to ensure a full understanding of property needs and issues, documents existing conditions, and researches preservation issues. Proposes a prioritized annual work plan and budget and then manages the approved plan.
• Develops and implements projects. Identifies potential funding sources for projects and works with development team to provide timely and accurate information for grant proposals and funding requests as assigned.
• Coordinates or directly handles maintenance activities for the sites. Manages the physical needs of tenant apartments and leases. Responds to emergencies at the sites as needed.

It is expected that the position will split its time over a 10 day pay period as follows:

Bowman House, Dresden, Maine (5 days) and Marrett House, Standish; Nickels‑Sortwell House and Castle Tucker, Wiscasset (5 days)

Supervising Responsibilities

None

QUALIFICATIONS

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum 4 years of experience, or equivalent combination of skilled credentials.
• Strong Property Management or Preservation background.
• Understanding of a broad range of maintenance activities.
• Understanding of a broad range of project management activities including project development, procurement, and oversight.
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of standard preservation concepts.

Competencies:

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set and balance priorities and resource allocation.
• Use of basic tools and ability to perform minor maintenance.
• Fully competent computer skills, including advanced use of MS Word and Excel spreadsheet functions, databases, internet research, and e‑mail management.
• Excellent communication skills (writing, speaking, presenting, and listening) with the ability to coordinate with neighbors, local officials, and the public diplomatically and with a high level of sensitivity to expectations and potential issues.
• Deep understanding of team approach and an objectiveness and respect for diverse perspectives and skillsets.
• Knowledge of New England culture and history.
• Valid driver’s license and means of transportation.
• Strong belief in, and demonstrated commitment to, Historic New England’s mission and values.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a SALARIED, EXEMPT, 40 hours per week position, typically eight‑hour days plus a thirty‑minute unpaid meal break, per state labor regulations. This an ON‑SITE based at the Bowman House, Dresden, Main although Hybrid options will be considered. Occasional travel in New England outside the position’s region and flexible availability for evening and weekend work is required.

As typically performed, this position regularly involves talking, hearing, sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, and bending/stooping. The position also is required to lift up to 50 pounds. The employee must apply manual dexterity in combination with eye‑hand coordination such as high‑volume keyboard input, data entry, and the operation of manually controlled equipment. The visual demands of the position require constantly reading documents for analytical purposes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions/primary responsibilities of the position.

Other Duties

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.