Job Listing
🔗Historic Preservationist- Historic Zoning Inspector
Website Metro Historical Commission
We are the steward of two commissions which guide historic preservation projects for Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. The Metropolitan Historical Commission is a municipal historic preservation agency working to document history, save and reuse buildings, and make the public more aware of the necessity and advantages of preservation in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. Created in 1966, the commission consists of fifteen citizens appointed by the mayor. The Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission reviews applications to create new historic overlay districts and reviews and approves preservation permits in historic and conservation districts for new construction, alterations, additions, repair and demolition.
Position DescriptionThe Historic Preservationist 1 – Zoning Inspector coordinates historical site development and restoration projects, provides technical assistance to owners of historic properties and elevates awareness of Nashville’s architectural history. Performs related duties as required.
We have approximately 10,000 properties (31 districts and 62 individual properties) under one of 5 different types of historic overlays. We average about 600 permits annually, with 73% being issued administratively. Seventy-three percent of our applications are new construction (infill, additions, outbuildings), 3% are roof repairs, 9% are general alterations, 4% are signage, and 11% are demolition (in whole and in part/ contributing and non-contributing.) We average about 10 economic hardship inquiries a year, with less than half of those ending up being formal applications that go to the Commission. Most of our current historic building stock is from the 1890s to the 1960s.
Typical Duties
- Inspects permitted projects at specific points throughout the project, as noted on the permit or as requested by the owner/applicant, neighbors, supervisors, or other interested parties.
- Works with property owners/applicants to find solutions that meet the design guidelines for projects that are different than permitted or that were constructed without a permit.
- Assists owners/applicants through the violation process.
- Writes staff recommendations for violations that need to go before the Commission.
- Provides an initial review for economic hardship requests for historic buildings and assists owner/applicant with guidance and information regarding demolition.
- Analyzes and writes economic hardship staff reports for the commission.
- Assists staff and applicants with preservation technology advice and resources such as review of substitute materials and information regarding construction practices.
- Works with other permitting departments (zoning, water, public works, stormwater, property standards, codes) on inspections and violations that may overlap with their review and requirements.
- Enforces historic preservation and zoning regulations, including inspecting buildings and landmarks to establish their authenticity as historical sites and/or for compliance with preservation and zoning regulations.
- Reviews specifications and issues approvals for exterior work proposed in historically zoned Districts; surveys potential historic sites and/or districts and recommends preservation.
- Assists property owners, architects, contractors, and government agencies, including assessing the impact of projects on the surrounding area.
- Studies proposals and evaluates their impact on historic properties and districts; prepares and explains guidelines for historical districts; draws architectural illustrations and specifications for projects; and reviews and writes specifications.
- Coordinates and attends meetings and/or projects with the public, staff, and other agencies.
Plans and implements projects, exhibits, studies, and workshops.
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
We are an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees. It will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
Requests for ADA accommodation for the recruitment process should be directed to 615-862-8980 option #7.
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NCPE Internships: Eligibility & How to Apply
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
As an organization operating under Public Land Corps Act (PLC) authority, many NCPE positions qualify the intern for Federal Hiring Preference if (1) they complete a minimum of 640 hours at one or more qualifying conservation project(s); (2) are between the ages of 16 and 30 years (35 if a veteran); and (3) apply for a Federal position at USAJOBS with PLC noted in the announcement within two years of completing the internship. Find out more about this hiring preference during the interview or contact manager@preservenet.org for details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program or recently graduated (within the past 12 months) and be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Interns are not eligible to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities during the Summer and Winter application rounds without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your user name or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. PDF only, labeled Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages preferred. May be .doc, .docx or PDF. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during this application round. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified. Please allow about 4 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.
Quick Tips on How to Apply
#1 If you feel you need to bolster your resume or expand your knowledge base in a certain area, consider offering research assistance to an authority at your university and/or design a 1-credit reading course with an eminent scholar or practitioner.
#2 "Experience" is more than paid work. It is any activity that gives you the knowledge and ability to do something well. So include in the Universal Application all relevant research projects, academic extracurricular activities, and volunteer interests to show your initiative, leadership, and competency.
#3 Proofread everything. The qualification most sought after for any job or internship is strong communication skills so start off on the right foot with no spelling or grammatical errors in your application.
Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.