Senior Architectural Historian

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Philadelphia, PA is seeking a Senior Architectural Historian to lead complex cultural resources projects within the Midwest/Northeast subregion. The role emphasizes technical leadership, quality assurance, mentoring staff, and business development to expand SWCA's architectural history practice.

The successful candidate will possess a Master’s degree in architectural history or related field, at least eight years in cultural resources management, and proven

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in architectural history or related field.
• Eight (8) years of experience in cultural resources management, including some experience managing others.
• Working knowledge of federal and state cultural resources and historic preservation laws, including Section 106.
• Experience surveying architectural resources at reconnaissance and intensive level and recording information on state-specific inventory forms.
• Strong writing skills, including applying National Register criteria for evaluation and NRHP/CRHR eligibility evaluations.
• Proven initiative and ability to improve procedures to ensure efficient task completion.

Responsibilities

• Strategic project leadership: leads complex projects, oversees technical approach, and ensures quality control.
• Exemplary leadership: guides projects meeting professional and oversight standards.
• Technical expertise & innovation: develops standards and methods, provides technical consulting.
• Project accountability: manages milestones, budgets, and risk, and adjusts scopes as needed.
• Business growth & innovation: drives client success and strategic planning.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration: works with specialists for comprehensive support.
• Mentorship & team development: mentors staff and promotes knowledge sharing.
• Relationship management: builds consultative relationships with clients and regulators.

Education

Master’s degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Architectural Historian to join our Midwest/Northeast subregion to drive growth and uphold the highest standards of quality in architectural history.

As a core member of our Cultural Resources program, the Senior Architectural Historian will collaborate with SWCA managers, directors, and vice presidents on technical and business development initiatives throughout the subregion, while coordinating with peers across the company. This individual will play a key role in expanding and supporting SWCA's architectural history practice throughout the region.

The ideal candidate combines technical expertise, commercial acumen, and leadership skills to support project delivery, foster client relationships, and contribute to strategic growth opportunities. Responsibilities include technical leadership, quality assurance and control, mentoring staff, supporting business development efforts, and managing projects.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, salaried/non-exempt position. SWCA offers the flexibility of a hybrid work environment; however, candidates local to the Philadelphia, PA office are highly preferred. Fully remote candidates with exceptional qualifications and relevant regional experience may also be considered.

Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee‑owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long‑term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
• Exemplary Leadership: Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.
• Technical Expertise & Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go‑to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
• Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA’s values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem‑solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
• Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
• Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross‑disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross‑training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.
• Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Support regional growth by expanding SWCA’s client base, strengthening industry partnerships, and contributing to the pursuit of new architectural history and cultural resources projects throughout the Midwest/Northeast subregion.
• Plan and complete historic resource surveys of residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and institutional properties using accepted survey methodologies and digital documentation tools in accordance with State Historic Preservation Office standards.
• Conduct and lead archival research using primary and secondary sources to develop historic contexts, narratives, and resource histories.
• Evaluate historic properties and districts for eligibility under the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and applicable state historic preservation programs.
• Prepare technical studies, historic resource evaluations, and compliance documentation supporting Section 106 consultation and other historic preservation reviews.
• Prepare National Register nominations, Multiple Property Documentation Forms, and related preservation planning deliverables.
• Provide technical review and quality assurance for historic preservation studies, evaluations, nominations, and regulatory compliance documentation.
• Advise clients on the identification, evaluation, treatment, and management of historic resources.
• Collaborate with architectural historians and preservation specialists across the company to support technical consistency, resource sharing, and project delivery

Minimum Qualifications

Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others. Ten years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree; master's degree preferred.

Experience And Qualifications For Success

• A Master’s degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or a closely related field.
• Eight (8) years of experience in cultural resources management, including some experience managing others.
• A working knowledge of federal and state cultural resources and historic preservation laws and practices, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and local/municipal regulations.
• Experience surveying architectural resources at the reconnaissance and intensive level and recording information on state‑specific architectural inventory forms.
• Demonstrated writing skills, including applying the National Register criteria for evaluation and preparing NRHP/CRHR eligibility evaluations for architectural resources.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative and resolving problems to create improved procedures that ensure tasks are completed in an effective and efficient manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of experience in cultural resources management.
• Private sector consulting experience.
• Cultural resources management experience in the Midwest/Northeast sub region.

Other Job Conditions

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work‑related travel throughout the duration of employment.

Safety Expectations

Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Philadelphia, PA-based position is $92,230.32 to $120,349.32 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance‑based bonuses.

As a 100% employee owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail]. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI‑assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human‑centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award‑winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.