The Historic Preservation Specialist assists, supports, and participates in the development, management, and maintenance of a City-wide historic preservation program. Coordinates, promotes, and implements developed programs and resources and serves as the primary contact for all historic preservation activities.

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, managing personnel, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Work is performed primarily indoors with occasional field/on location meetings or engagements as needed; travel to other community and neighborhood areas often. May spend time outside or in various weather situations.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Administers, manages, and leads the historic preservation program and provides support for the historic preservation commission; drafts HPC agendas, writes technical staff reports, and makes public presentations when needed.

• Reviews, reports, and recommends demolitions, site improvements, exterior alterations, preservation incentives, and landmark applications for properties and projects identified and addressed by the historic preservation ordinance.

• Conducts, leads, and guides various projects related to historic preservation master plan preparation and implementation; performs historical research, architectural surveys, neighborhood character assessments; demonstrates skills drafting ordinances, preparing grant applications, developing public information, and participating in preservation program development.

• Develops, administers, reviews, and amends policies and ordinances for the protection of heritage resources by preparing the historic preservation ordinance in collaboration with government departments and agencies; coordinates public review, drafts presentations, and presents to elected officials; manages contracts and communicates information to stakeholders.

• Processes and reviews construction projects and building permits for compliance with the historic preservation ordinance; conducts site visits, inspections, report preparation, and design review.

• Provides heritage preservation information and technical assistance to city staff, elected officials, property owners, contractors, and the general public; responds to requests for information, provides training, presents education, assembles relevant resources, and maintains presence on City website.

• Promotes and markets the historic preservation program by making presentations to local businesses, service groups, public groups, and at conferences and seminars; prepares press releases, drafts articles, and appears on radio and television when required.

• Ensures the compliance with any historic preservation certification, regulation, or ordinance; remains compliant with accepted grant requirements, state, and Federal historic preservation programs.

• Assists and supports the preparation, management, and reporting related to awarded historic preservation grants and other program financial matters.