HISTORIC
PRESERVATION SPECIALIST
BASIC PURPOSE:
Positions
in this job family are responsible for identification, evaluation,
documentation, registration, planning, education and treatment programs and
activities designed to protect Oklahoma’s significant archeological and
historic properties. The activities and
programs are carried out in accordance with the National Historic Preservation
Act and the associated regulations, standards, and guidelines established by
the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation.
NOTE: Under the National Historic Preservation
Act, the Governor of each State designates the State Historic Preservation
Officer to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the federal
preservation programs for that State.
The SHPO employs professional staff, in accordance with federal
standards, to perform the related duties.
In Oklahoma, the program is assigned to the Oklahoma Historical
Society. The agency receives an annual
allocation from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Historic Preservation
Fund which partially covers the program costs (60%), and the State of Oklahoma
is responsible for the balance of these costs (40%).
TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:
The
functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the
following:
·
Coordinates a major division program (National Register of
Historic Places, Archeological Survey and Inventory, Architectural/Historic
Survey and Inventory, Review and Compliance [review of proposed federally aided
construction activities], preservation tax incentives program, preservation
planning, acquisition/development program, Certified Local Governments Program
or technical assistance and public outreach program).
·
Reviews complex reports, project plans and applications and
other materials prepared by professional consultants and others for one of the
major division programs.
·
Prepares complex reports, project plans, applications and
other materials for one of the major division programs.
·
Develops strategies for the preservation and management of
archeological and historic properties.
·
Develops scopes of work for the procurement of professional
services and monitors contract performance for a major division program.
·
Develops and delivers presentations to professional organizations,
other government agencies, and the general public on major division programs
and a variety of topics related to the preservation of archeological and
historic resources.
·
Conducts archival and field research.
·
Consults with clients/customers on major division programs
and a variety of technical historic preservation topics.
·
Prepares correspondence to address inquiries of
clients/customers on a wide variety of complex historic preservation topics.
·
Maintains logs, files and other records related to a major
division program.
LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:
The
Historic Preservation Specialist job family consists of three levels which are
distinguished on the basis of the responsibility and complexity of work,
experience required and the responsibility assigned for the development and
coordination of assigned programs.
This
is the basic entry level position in which incumbents develop skills in the
identification, evaluation, and documentation of archeological and historic
properties and learn the basic principles of cultural resource management. Incumbents work under general
supervision. The majority of the
responsibilities assigned involve conducting archival and field research,
evaluating archeological and historic properties documented by others, and
assisting in the maintenance of cultural resources survey and inventory data.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of standard
historical research methods. Ability is
required to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and to
organize and analyze sets of complex data.
Education and
Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree
in archeology, anthropology, architectural history, art history, historic
preservation, history, architecture or closely related fields which includes
nine semester hours in American history and one year of experience in research
and professional writing in a related field associated with one of the degree
areas.
This
is a mid-level position in which incumbents are responsible for the development
and coordination of at least one major division program and may supervise other
permanent or temporary employees. The
majority of the incumbent’s time is spent in reviewing complex reports, project
plans and other documents prepared by professional consultants under contract
to the Oklahoma Historical Society or submitted by other agencies or
individuals as may be required by federal regulations, standards and
guidelines; consulting with the division’s clients/customers; conducting
archival and field research; and preparing detailed, complex reports and other
documents related to the specific, major division program.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and
Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation; of Oklahoma’s
prehistory, history, architectural history; of standard historical research
methods; and of the principles of cultural resource management; and of the
National Historic Preservation Act and its related programs. Ability is required to communicate
effectively, both orally and in writing; to train and supervise others; to
organize and analyze sets of complex data; and to manage several
projects/activities and meeting mandated deadlines.
Education and
Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in
anthropology, archeology, architectural history, art history, historic preservation,
history or a closely related academic area and one year of experience in
related research, project administration or management; or a bachelor’s degree
in architecture with two years professional level experience in historic
preservation or restoration projects.
This
position is responsible for the development and coordination of at least two
major division programs and works with a high degree of independence. Responsibilities may include supervision of
other historic preservation specialists, as well as temporary employees. The majority of the incumbent’s time is
spent developing priorities for major division programs, developing scopes of
work for professional services contracts and administration/monitoring of
contract performance, reviewing highly complex and technical reports and other
documents prepared by professional consultants and others related to a specific
major division program, consulting with clients/customers on a wide range of
historic preservation topics, and developing and presenting public education
and technical assistance programs.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level
II.
Education and
Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in
anthropology, archeology, architectural history, art history, historic
preservation, history or a closely related academic area and three years of
experience in related research, project administration or management; or a
bachelor’s degree in architecture with four years of professional experience in
historic preservation or restoration projects.
SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
At
least one professionally qualified incumbent in each of the disciplines of
archeology, architectural history, architecture, and history must be included
on the State Historical Preservation Office staff to maintain program
certification. The Oklahoma Historical
Society will specify the discipline in which candidates for employment must be
qualified.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Positions
in the Oklahoma Historical Society require specialized training and experience
as specified by the U.S. Department of the Interior.