Historian 2 (PCN 10-5049)

State of Alaska • Anchorage, AK

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, is recruiting a Local Government Coordinator/Architectural Historian in Anchorage, Alaska. The position is open to Alaska residents only. This full-time role combines work as a Certified Local Communities Coordinator and Architectural Historian. Within one year of hire, the incumbent must complete training in architectural history and historic preservation programming, including regulations, plans, and grants, to meet the job’s professional qualifications.

The role provides assistance, training, and support to local governments—primarily Certified Local Governments and their historic preservation commissions—and technical preservation expertise to the public and organizations. Work includes advising on National Register nominations, historic preservation tax credit projects and grants, rehabilitation recommendations, preservation standards, historic property conditions, preservation plans, and Section 106 reviews.

The Office of History and Archaeology is Alaska’s primary office for historic preservation expertise and serves as the State Historic Preservation Office under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It works with agencies, tribes, local governments, the public, and educational and nonprofit organizations to identify, preserve, protect, and interpret Alaska’s cultural, historic, and archaeological resources.

The position works in an open office environment with desk space and a personal computer and participates in weekly in-person and virtual meetings. Fieldwork involves statewide travel to communities and remote locations to investigate and document historic properties and prepare reports, including historic structure reports and National Register nomination documentation. Travel may involve locations without commercial accommodation. The work may occasionally involve exposure to high noise levels and moving machinery or mechanical parts. Work schedules may be flexible, especially during inclement weather.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college in history, architectural history, or a closely related field, and one year of experience collecting, synthesizing, evaluating, and presenting historical data as a State of Alaska Historian 1 or equivalent elsewhere.
• Alternatively, additional graduate study in history, architectural history, or a closely related field beyond the specified master’s degree may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Alternatively, two years of professional historical research experience beyond the bachelor’s degree may substitute for the required master’s degree.
• The special notice states that the position requires a master’s degree in history, historic preservation, or a closely related field, or at least two years of full-time experience with an academic institution, historical or cultural organization, agency, museum, or other professional institution, and suitable training to meet federal professional qualifications within one year of hire.
• Valid driver’s license; proof of licensure is required before reporting to duty.
• Ability to travel statewide, including to locations that may not have commercial accommodation.
• Competencies include history and archaeology; oral and written communication; grants management laws, regulations, and guidelines; architecture; and accountability.
• Ability to complete training in architectural history and historic preservation programming within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Coursework in Alaska History is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with local governments, primarily Certified Local Governments and their historic preservation commissions, to provide assistance, training, and support for historic preservation programs.
• Provide technical assistance on National Register of Historic Places nominations, historic preservation tax credit projects, and historic preservation grants.
• Engage with property owners, developers, real estate professionals, planners, preservation professionals, and nonprofits, providing technical preservation expertise, rehabilitation recommendations, and information about potential grant sources.
• Provide technical assistance on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Document the structural condition of historic properties and prepare correspondence and reports.
• Write and review preservation plans.
• Support state and federal agencies in reviewing Section 106 undertakings and other planning activities.
• Conduct statewide field investigations and document historic properties, including preparing historic structure reports and documentation for National Register nominations.
• Coordinate public engagement and virtual and in-person meetings.

Benefits

• Meaningful mentorship from dedicated professionals.
• Opportunity to help shape historic preservation policy.
• Insight into federal-state cultural resource programs.
• Opportunity to assist local communities in preserving Alaska’s historic and culturally significant places.
• Work schedules may be flexible, especially during episodes of inclement weather.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level