Historic Preservation Officer

City of Denton•Denton, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for developing and administering City policies and procedures for the protection of cultural and historical resources; ensuring that City activities comply with historic preservation regulations; and providing technical, architectural, design, historical, and policy guidance to City staff, City Council, governmental officials, boards and committees, and regional, state, and national preservation agencies. Maintains the City in good standing as a Certified Local Government (CLG); and carries out the duties of Historic Preservation Officer as mandated by the State of Texas Historic Preservation Office. Works with state, regional and national historic preservation entities to further historic preservation in the City of Denton.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Historic Preservation and Planning and at least 5 years of experience in Historic Preservation and Planning
Certification by American Institute of Certified Planners or ability to obtain within 12 months
OR Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with coworkers and customers
Knowledge of accounting principles for grants application and management
Knowledge of architecture and historic preservation
Must have a valid Class “C” Driver’s License and valid state required minimum automobile liability insurance prior to employment (must obtain Texas Class “C” driver’s license and state required minimum automobile liability insurance within 90 days of hire per state law)
Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check
Must be able to work outside of regular business hours as required (exempt)

Nice To Haves

Bachelors Degree in Architecture or Planning
Masters Degree in Historic Preservation and Planning
Bilingual in Spanish and English
Meets the Professional Qualifications Standards of the Secretary of the Interior

Responsibilities

Performs and manages technically complex, high-impact and politically sensitive professional planning projects, research, and analysis.
Performs professional planning work involving historic preservation such as developing and reviewing ordinances, design guidelines, tax incentive programs, grants, maintaining and updating historic surveys, and developing preservation plans.
Defines and reviews the issues of historic preservation as they relate to the City, develops alternative solutions to problems, evaluates special programs and City-sponsored projects.
Reviews site plans, rendered and non-rendered elevations, and historic profiles of structures for compliance with preservation ordinances and preservation guidelines.
Prepares staff reports and makes recommendations for all historic preservation cases, and presents staff reports and recommendations to the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC).
Provides direct support to Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) and provides advisement related to pending cases as appropriate; may serve as liaison to various committees, when required.
Coordinates the Certificate of Occupancy (COA) process to develop or redevelop property located in the historic districts or designated for protection as required to develop or redevelop property.
Recommends buildings, structures, sites, districts, and areas in the city that should be preserved and designated as historic landmarks.
Develops marketing materials to promote historic preservation efforts, provides historic preservation information to the public, and coordinates historic preservation efforts among city departments/divisions.
Provides technical support associated with planning activities, which includes: coordinating public inquiry on development processes, codes, ordinances, submittal and permit requirements; processing utility releases; maintaining logs for plan review turnaround times; scheduling and entering activities; generating and processing a variety of daily, weekly, and monthly reports; preparing narrative staff reports and recommendations of great complexity; preparing public notices; performing other related activities.
Conducts review of various development applications including plats, permits, site plans, variance rezoning requests.
Presents reports and other findings to staff, Historic Landmarks Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission, and City Council regarding historic preservation overlay zoning districts including areas adjacent to those districts.
Interprets and applies applicable local, state, federal laws, and rules.
Initiates actions necessary to correct deficiencies or violations of development regulations.
Assists with updates and maintenance of Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations.
Writes and presents formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence.
Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities in particular neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning.
Adheres to established work product deadlines.
Maintains regular and punctual on-site attendance
Performs other duties as assigned