SR HIST PRES SPEC(RIHPHC)PROJ

State of careers Rhode Island•Providence, RI

About The Position

This position is focused primarily on reviewing transportation projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-45-5). This position works closely with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation Cultural Resources Unit and the Federal Highway Administration. Candidates with an interest and expertise in transportation-related historic resources, including bridges, are encouraged to apply. Limited project review outside the transportation program area may occur. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), to perform difficult and complex professional historic preservation planning work within the area of specialization indicated in the title of the class of position; to be responsible for the preparation of studies, plans, and reports, as well as phases of major projects; and/or to be responsible for the review of projects undertaken by other state or federal agencies, including the assessment of impacts on historic resources; and/or to be responsible for agency public information, events, programs; and to do related work as required. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a superior with some degree of latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent professional judgement; work assignments are received in outline form as to objectives and the utilization of appropriate methods and processes; work is reviewed upon completion for results attained, professional and technical adequacy to desired objectives and goals. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: As required, collaborates with and reviews the activities of consultants and professional, technical and clerical personnel assigned to assist.

Requirements

A working knowledge of the principles and practices of historic preservation planning, data sources, and methods of analysis as they relate to the area of specialization indicated by the title of the class of position and the ability to apply such knowledge in the performance of difficult and complex professional historic preservation planning work; a working knowledge of the methods and procedures required in order to carry out the relevant programs of historic preservation planning such as: National Register of Historic Places, environmental review, technical preservation services, survey, archeology, and/or public information; the ability to use standard technical procedures and established methodology; the ability to identify appropriate procedures developed by others, test them, and use them under varying circumstances; the ability to use field work, historical archives, maps, charts, aerial photographs, and similar materials to obtain or verify information; the ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; the ability to review the activities of professional, technical and clerical personnel, and consultants; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local, private and public agencies, organizations and individuals; the ability to write effectively and to make oral presentations; the ability to engage in field work activities requiring physical stamina; and related capacities and abilities.
Must satisfy the requirements specified in the Secretary of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Professional Qualifications Standards for the area of specialization.
Possession of a Graduate Degree in the field of specialization or a closely related field; and Employment as a Historic Preservation Specialist in the field of specialization indicated in the title of the class of position. Or, employment in a responsible position in a federal, state, municipal or public or private agency or organization involving the performance of professional work in the field of historic preservation planning in an area of specialization indicated in the title of the class of position. Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Responsibilities

Within the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), to perform difficult and complex professional historic preservation planning work within the area of specialization indicated in the title of the class of position; to be responsible for the preparation of studies, plans, and reports, as well as phases of major projects; and/or to be responsible for the review of projects undertaken by other state or federal agencies, including the assessment of impacts on historic resources; and/or to be responsible for agency public information, events, programs; and to do related work as required.
To coordinate the work of one of the agency’s main program areas: survey and National Register of Historic Places; archeology; environmental review; or public information.
To perform studies encompassing a complete phase of a major project, a survey or site report, a National Register of Historic Places nomination; a special project or an implementation program in the areas of archeology, architectural history, history, historical architecture and other topics which involve the physical development, management, or protection of historical resources.
To obtain and analyze data from fieldwork and primary and secondary sources, detail action programs, and identify legislative and other implementation requirements.
To work closely with cooperating agencies, committees, and interest groups in carrying out various activities associated with historic preservation programs, projects, and services.
To obtain input from such sources and to include this input in various studies.
To present completed studies to governmental bodies and the public.
To review materials such as permit and grant applications, technical reports, and environmental impact statements for technical adequacy, subject matter coverage, and conformance to policies and recommendations, and to make recommendations for acceptance, modification or disapproval.
To do related work as required.
To review and provide comment on federally assisted undertakings in Rhode Island in accordance with the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
To review and provide comment on state-assisted undertakings in Rhode Island in accordance with the provisions of the State Historic Preservation Act.
To review and provide comments on project plans, specifications, and technical project reports.
To conduct field inspections of work completed or in progress on the above undertakings to ensure that work complies with project specifications.
To approve the work of outside engineers, architects, and private contractors to ensure compliance of undertakings at historic properties with established historic preservation specifications, standards and procedures including but not limited to, The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
To act as a RIHPHC liaison to and represent the Executive Director in meetings with representatives of federal agencies, state agencies and municipal governments pursuant to federal and state laws for projects involving the restoration/rehabilitation of historic properties.
To ensure the RIHPHC Project Review Database is accurately kept up to date on an ongoing basis.