Preservation Planner (Internal Applicants Only)

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

County-issued laptop

Job summary

King County's Historic Preservation Program (HPP) seeks a qualified professional to review projects for potential impacts to historic resources and to apply preservation regulations. The role includes maintaining the GIS inventory, leading preservation planning for interlocal cities, and developing outreach initiatives within the DNRP Director’s Office.

This full-time position offers growth across environmental, cultural resource management, and historic preservation fields, working in a hybrid

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and interpret information related to the historic built environment, including historic buildings, structures, sites, districts and objects.
• Ability to gather information from historic resources inventories, including King County’s Historic Preservation Viewer and Washington State’s WISAARD database, and use ArcGIS for mapping and data management.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local preservation regulations, and experience applying these regulatory processes, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, SEPA, and relevant local ordinances.
• Skilled in applying quantitative and qualitative analysis to evaluate data that supports cultural resource review decisions and landmark eligibility determinations.
• Strong communication skills, including preparing clear, concise written reports; delivering trainings and workshops; presenting in public settings; and explaining technical information to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of architectural history, landscape history, and/or community history relevant to the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound region.
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships and cultivating partnerships that support shared goals and strengthen community understanding of historic preservation and cultural resource stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Review projects submitted by County agencies, interlocal cities, and private developers for potential impacts to above-ground historic and cultural resources, using historic maps, aerial photographs, the King County Historic Resources Inventory (HRI), Washington’s WISAARD system, and other research tools.
• Conduct research, field investigations, and evaluations of potentially significant properties; prepare written reports that document historic characteristics and determine eligibility for listing in local historic registers.
• Maintain the County’s GIS-based above-ground historic resources inventory (HRI) and archaeological/ethnographic place inventory; recommend and oversee database improvements to enhance functionality and data-sharing with WISAARD.
• Coordinate preservation planning services for interlocal cities, develop and participate in educational workshops and trainings, and provide analysis and technical guidance to strengthen local planning documents and preservation efforts.
• Serve as HPP’s strategic planning lead by representing the program in the County’s comprehensive planning process and integrating preservation priorities into broader planning initiatives.

Skills

Research & analysis

Inventory & GIS

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Communication & reports

Pacific Northwest history

Partnership building

Education

Master’s Degree in historic preservation or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

WISAARD

Job description

Internal Applicants Only

This position is open only to current King County Employees.

Are you passionate about preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage? As part of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Director’s Office, this is an exciting opportunity to join the dynamic team in King County’s Historic Preservation Program (HPP). In this role, you will help safeguard King County’s historic built environment by reviewing a wide range of projects for potential impacts to above-ground historic and cultural resources. You will apply your knowledge of local, state, and federal preservation regulations and actively participate in regulatory processes to support the county’s compliance efforts. Additional responsibilities include maintaining the county’s GIS-based historic resources inventory, leading preservation planning activities for King County and partner cities, and developing outreach and educational initiatives that encourage community engagement in preservation. This position also offers growth opportunities, including expanding your expertise in identifying regional cultural resources, strengthening GIS and data management skills, and building connections across the environmental, cultural resource management, and historic preservation fields.

Job Duties

• Review projects submitted by County agencies, interlocal cities, and private developers for potential impacts to above-ground historic and cultural resources, using historic maps, aerial photographs, the King County Historic Resources Inventory (HRI), Washington’s WISAARD system, and other research tools.
• Conduct research, field investigations, and evaluations of potentially significant properties; prepare written reports that document historic characteristics and determine eligibility for listing in local historic registers.
• Maintain the County’s GIS-based above-ground historic resources inventory (HRI) and archaeological/ethnographic place inventory; recommend and oversee database improvements to enhance functionality and data-sharing with WISAARD.
• Coordinate preservation planning services for interlocal cities, develop and participate in educational workshops and trainings, and provide analysis and technical guidance to strengthen local planning documents and preservation efforts.
• Serve as HPP’s strategic planning lead by representing the program in the County’s comprehensive planning process and integrating preservation priorities into broader planning initiatives.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and interpret information related to the historic built environment, including historic buildings, structures, sites, districts and objects.
• Ability to gather information from historic resources inventories, including King County’s Historic Preservation Viewer and Washington State’s WISAARD database, and use ArcGIS for mapping and data management.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local preservation regulations, and experience applying these regulatory processes, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, SEPA, and relevant local ordinances.
• Skilled in applying quantitative and qualitative analysis to evaluate data that supports cultural resource review decisions and landmark eligibility determinations.
• Strong communication skills, including preparing clear, concise written reports; delivering trainings and workshops; presenting in public settings; and explaining technical information to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of architectural history, landscape history, and/or community history relevant to the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound region.
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships and cultivating partnerships that support shared goals and strengthen community understanding of historic preservation and cultural resource stewardship.

Competencies You Bring

• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring

• Master’s Degree in historic preservation, planning, architecture, architectural history, or a closely related field.
• Meets the National Park Service Professional Qualifications Standards (36 CFR Part 61) for Architectural History, Architecture, or Historic Architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to apply the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Preservation Planning, as listed on the National Park Service (NPS).

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Work Location: The DNRP Director’s Office team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No

02

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

• Required Question