Preservation Coordinator

City of Alexandria • Alexandria, VA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Alexandria is seeking a Historic Preservation Coordinator for the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA). OHA manages and oversees fifteen historic sites, properties, and museums throughout the City. This position manages maintenance, restoration, Capital projects, and long-term preservation of these buildings, sites and historic collections by working closely with other City agencies. The Historic Preservation Coordinator works collaboratively across the department and with preservation specialists and vendors to ensure and protect the historic integrity of the City’s cultural resources, including enforcing preservation standards and terms of easements. The Historic Preservation Coordinator must be available to work some evenings and weekends and be able to respond to after-hours emergencies. A commitment to diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and public service is at the core of this position and the department. This position reports to the Director of the Division of Collections & Exhibitions but works collaboratively with other divisions across the department.

Requirements

• Extensive background in Architectural History, Historic Preservation, American History, and related fields.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to give clear directions to contractors and City staff.
• Detail-oriented.
• Excellent project management and documentation skills.
• Working knowledge of preservation standards and current best practices.
• Skills in the professional handling, documentation and exhibition of historical objects in museum collections.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with a small team.
• Ability to operate a vehicle to monitor and attend to multiple historic sites is essential.
• Four-year college degree in History, African American History, Public History, Art History, Museum Studies, Archaeology, Museum Education, American History and/or other closely related field.
• Two (2) years preservation and/or collections management experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Nice To Haves

• Facilities experience related to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security systems, fire systems, and general carpentry.
• An M.A. in Historic Preservation, American History, Architecture, American Studies, Museum Studies, or related field is preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working with the maintenance and preservation of historic buildings, cultural resources and collections is preferred, including demonstrated experience in coordinating projects with curatorial and facilities management staff and contractors.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds to move equipment and supplies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee projects and tasks related to the maintenance, restoration, and long-term preservation of OHA’s buildings and cultural landscapes.
• Work closely with OHA staff, General Services, and Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities to budget, prioritize, and implement site maintenance and preservation improvements for OHA’s buildings and cultural landscapes.
• Write scopes of work and actively participate in the procurement and contracting process for OHA buildings and cultural landscapes, collaborating with City staff and outside preservation-centered contractors.
• In coordination with OHA staff, prepare, justify and administer the OHA facilities budget and implement a maintenance schedule.
• Monitor expenditures, conduct cost-benefit analyses on a regular basis for individual properties, and set priorities for facilities management.
• Serve as a point of contact and resource for maintenance and preservation issues within OHA and provide building and site condition updates as needed to OHA staff.
• Evaluate issues of security, disaster preparedness, and public safety at all OHA buildings and sites, and ensure that measures are in place and implemented.
• Collaborate with OHA curatorial and archival staff on collections management issues, including collections documentation, conservation and storage projects.
• Respond to alarms or preservation emergencies, including after-hours.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

What This Job Offers

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