Compliance Historian/Historic Preservation Specialist

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is part of the CDOT Region 1 Environmental Unit. This position ensures compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Act of 1966, and the Colorado State Register Act for transportation related projects for Region 1. The position coordinates clearances with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), other federal agencies, and consulting parties following a range of specified standards and established practices. The position provides guidance to local agencies, CDOT personnel, and consultants on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance process. The position participates in various meetings and may manage environmental project clearances and/or applied research for environmental streamlining and mitigation for projects.

Requirements

At least Six (6) years of professional experience with a focus in history, architectural history, historic preservation, cultural resource management, which includes historical resources investigation.
Education from an accredited college or university with coursework in history, architectural history, historic preservation, or another field of study related to the duties of this position will be considered.
Experience with a primary focus in history, architectural history, historic preservation, cultural resource management, which includes historical resources investigation, will be considered.
Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section
Meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards in the fields of History and/or Architectural History per 36 CFR 61
Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position
Highest work/personal ethics and integrity
Strong, effective listening, interpersonal and relationship building skills
Knowledge of the NEPA and environmental policy and regulations
Ability to take constructive feedback to improve documents
Ability to organize and be able to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal manner
Ability to utilize excellent interpersonal communication skills to work cooperatively with colleagues with conflicting needs
Ability to be a team player and ability to coordinate closely with other disciplines and stakeholders, and to work efficiently, retain adaptability, and maintain records/notes
Possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently
Ability to learn and apply applicable federal, state, local, CDOT environmental and related policies, procedures, laws, and regulations as it relates to developing construction documents, answering questions, and developing manuals, specifications, guidance, and policies
Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency
Strong time and project management skills
Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy
Passion for safety
Ability to use GIS
Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Responsibilities

Provides guidance regarding the NEPA, specifically regarding Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the US DOT Act of 1966, and Colorado State Register Act at the regional and/or statewide level.
Responsible for compliance with Section 106 and Historic Section 4(f), which involves coordination with multiple federal, state and local agencies (e.g. the SHPO, ACHP, FTA, and FHWA).
Prepares full Section 4(f) evaluation reports with input and direction from an EPS III/IV.
Defines initial Area of Potential Effect (APE), identifies consulting parties, and establishes survey methodology to support transportation project delivery within cost, scope, and schedule.
Conducts research and evaluates significance and integrity of the resources for National Register (NR) eligibility. This can include historic or historic archaeological sites, structures, objects, buildings or districts.
Prepares detailed Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) inventory forms for historic resources, including well referenced and written narrative site-specific historical summaries needed to provide a basis for evaluating the historical significance for individual properties or resources.
Evaluates and determines project-related effects to historic properties.
Sends formal determinations, along with supporting documentation, to appropriate state, federal and local governments as well as interested non-governmental organizations for comments or concurrence.
For assigned projects, develops and implements mitigation and/or minimization for adverse effects applying a specified range of acceptable alternatives. Includes development of agreements (e.g. Memorandum of Agreement) for the satisfactory mitigation of adverse effects.
For assigned projects, drafts and writes environmental documents [i.e. categorical exclusions (CatEx), Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)] and Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) reports for completeness and accuracy, and participates in comment resolution meetings to finalize these studies.
Advises engineers and project teams on appropriate actions to avoid and minimize impacts to historic resources, or to develop acceptable mitigation to offset negative impacts.
Explains effects and mitigation at public hearings and meetings concerning transportation projects that impact historic resources.
Participates in coordination meetings between CDOT, SHPO, FHWA, FTA, local agencies, and other stakeholders as needed.
Provides guidance in the fieldwork and research required for compliance with Section 106 and Section 4(f).
Conducts fieldwork taking photographs and uses GPS devices, unmanned aerial vehicles and cameras to gather data in the field and uses a variety of GIS software and satellite imagery to develop and analyze project data.
Assists with special research projects that streamline historic properties identification and regulatory compliance and meet mitigation requirements.
Assists with larger research projects that focus on specific historic property types and collaborates in presentations of CDOT historic properties research projects and findings at professional conferences.
Assists with CatEx, EA, EIS and PEL NEPA project management ensuring that legal requirements and regulations, including public outreach and public meetings are met.
Coordinate with consultants at all stages of the compliance process for assigned projects, including project scope, schedule, and budget, project timeline, APE, level of effort, eligibility and effect determinations, consultation, etc.
Attends professional training to maintain up-to date knowledge and expertise in the laws, regulations and best practices for historical work.
Conducts visual sight assessments.
Other duties as assigned.