Strategic Historic Preservation Planner

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

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