Architectural Historian

Arkansas Department of Transportation•Little Rock, AR

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision, this position conducts studies and prepares documentation to identify and evaluate any potential impacts to prehistoric and historic cultural resources in and near Department project sites. The role also monitors compliance with local, state, and federal regulations during all phases of Department work.

Requirements

The educational equivalent to a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or closely related field with coursework in American architectural history; OR the educational equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field plus one of the following: At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; OR Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.
Working knowledge of Arkansas history, Section 106 law, and other pertinent state and federal regulations regarding historic properties.
Ability to adapt to new technology.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including experience in report writing.
Ability to traverse rugged terrain, including, but not limited to, steep hills, creeks and streams, swamps, brush and timber covered property, fences, etc. and to withstand fieldwork in year-around weather conditions.
Valid driver’s license.
A criminal background check will be required to determine suitability of employment, and failure to meet these standards may cause the applicant to be rejected or terminated from that position.

Nice To Haves

Experience using GPS preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct preliminary project and historic structure surveys to identify potential constraints to project development through cultural resources fieldwork, Global Positioning System (GPS) data collection, background research, etc.
Coordinate with designers and project managers to lessen impacts to historic structures during avoidance or minimization processes.
Coordinate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to secure any necessary concurrence/permits.
Prepare project documents such as constraints statements, consultation letters, etc.
Assist with the production of Memorandums of Agreement, Special Provisions, and 4(f) documentation.
Assist with the analysis of structural resources collected during fieldwork.
Assess the eligibility of, and impacts on, historic structural resources for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Maintain documentation, including databases, and produce reports of historic structures for review and comment by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
Assist with development and coordination of mitigation measures for historic structures.
In coordination with the SHPO and consultants, assist with review of historic bridge rehabilitation projects to apply Secretary of Interior (SOI) standards of rehabilitation.
Assist with the statewide historic bridge inventory, associated procedures, and documentation.
Assist with the historic bridge donation process, including marketing, coordinating the donation process and reimbursement costs if applicable.
Monitor compliance with federal, state, and local laws related to historic structures during the design, construction, and post-construction of Department projects.
Assist with maintaining records to document and track compliance with permits and regulations.
Review, edit, and comment on documents prepared by staff or submitted by consultant cultural resources firms on architectural surveys and evaluation of historic properties.
Provide guidance, resources, and recommendations to governmental agencies, tribal agencies, engineering firms, and contractors on how to fulfill federal obligations under Section 106, including historic research and fieldwork as necessary.