AOT Senior Historic Preservation Specialist

State of Vermont • Barre, VT

5d

About The Position

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is seeking a Senior Historic Preservation Specialist to support review and implementation of transportation projects throughout Vermont. The role ensures that proposed projects are evaluated for potential impacts to historic and cultural resources and other protected properties in accordance with applicable state and federal preservation requirements.

The specialist is responsible for historic preservation reviews of transportation projects in an assigned region. This includes assessing proposed project activities and their potential effects on historic properties and cultural resources, wildlife refuges, and publicly accessible or publicly owned recreation areas, parks, and corridors. Reviews are conducted under the 2023 Programmatic Agreement among the Federal Highway Administration, Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Vermont Agency of Transportation concerning implementation of the Federal-Aid Highway Program in Vermont.

The position ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and preservation standards, including the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties; Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act; and the Vermont Historic Preservation Act.

Work takes place in office and field settings. Private transportation may be required, as may work outside normal schedules and out of state. Fieldwork can involve remote, difficult-to-access locations and exposure to all types of weather. The role may involve adversarial situations and considerable mental demands from reviewing many diverse projects concurrently, as well as stress from heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and working with applicants who may not understand or support required review processes.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in historic preservation, architectural history, or a closely related field and at least four years of experience in historic preservation or a related field; or at least two years of experience as an AOT Historic Preservation Specialist.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying the National Register Criteria and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation.
• Experience implementing Programmatic Agreements that delegate authority for cultural resource management laws and regulations.
• Familiarity with the 2023 Programmatic Agreement for implementing the Federal-Aid Highway Program in Vermont.
• Field and analytical experience in historic preservation in the northeastern United States.

Responsibilities

• Conduct historic preservation reviews of transportation projects within an assigned region.
• Evaluate proposed project activities and determine their potential effects on historic properties, cultural resources, wildlife refuges, and publicly accessible or publicly owned recreation areas, parks, and corridors.
• Implement project reviews in accordance with the 2023 Programmatic Agreement for the Federal-Aid Highway Program in Vermont.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and preservation standards.

Benefits

• 80% of the employee medical premium paid by the State and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families.
• 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan.
• State-paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI).
• State defined-benefit pension plan and deferred compensation 457(b) plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts.
• Low-cost group life insurance.
• Incentive-based wellness program.
• Qualified Employer for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

What This Job Offers

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