Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and that growth is reshaping neighborhoods, skylines, and streetscapes at a pace few American cities have experienced. Amid that change, historic zoning overlays are one of the city’s tools for protecting the character, scale, and architecture that make Nashville’s neighborhoods distinct, ensuring that growth adds to the city’s identity. The Historic Zoning Administrator plays a central role in that effort by leading the team that upholds the integrity of the city’s historic districts while helping property owners, developers, and community members navigate the needs of 21st century living with clarity and confidence.

The Historic Zoning Division is housed within the Metro Planning Department to administer and enforce local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, supporting the Metro Historic Zoning Commission (MHZC), and coordinating with their partners in preservation, such as the Metropolitan Historical Commission and staff, to ensure preservation programs and procedures remain aligned across Metro Nashville.

General Purpose of the Job.

●        Manages and coordinates of the daily activities of the historic zoning program, overseeing case preparation, staff performance, and commission processes to ensure consistent and effective implementation of adopted design guidelines and procedures.

●        Applies administrative determinations and interpretations as authorized by local and state legislation, and as directed by the Historic Zoning Commission.

Division Structure
●        Reports to the Assistant Director

●        Supervises: Senior Preservationists, Preservationists, and the Historic Zoning Inspector

Duties & Responsibilities:
●        Program Administration. Oversee the administration and enforcement of local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, ensuring consistent and accurate application across all cases.

●        Staff Management & Mentorship. Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff who support historic zoning functions, ensuring high-quality professional work in serving both the Commission and the community.

●        Case Review Oversight. Provide direction and oversight for staff case reviews, research, community engagement, and preparation of Commission materials.

●        Preservation Permit Review. Lead and coordinate the review process for Preservation Permits (certificates of appropriateness), including working with applicants, reviewing plans, and preparing or approving staff recommendations.

●        Commission Liaison. Serve as the primary liaison to the Historic Zoning Commission, preparing agendas, reports, and meeting materials, and ensuring staff alignment with Commission expectations. Coordinate the Commission’s agenda in collaboration with other Metro preservation staff whose work comes before the Commission, including matters originating outside the division.

●        Policy Development. Lead or support updates to design guidelines and documents related to historic zoning.

●        Research & Technical Guidance. Conduct and oversee research on historic properties, architectural styles, and preservation best practices to support Commission and staff decision-making.

●        Cross-Departmental Coordination. Coordinate with permitting and Development Services departments to ensure consistent application of regulations.

●        Interagency Alignment. Work in coordination with staff of the Metropolitan Historical Commission to promote alignment on operational and program-level matters related to serving the Historic Zoning Commission.

●        Compliance Monitoring. Monitor compliance with approved Preservation Permits and guide staff in follow-up actions on potential violations.

●        Records Management. Maintain accurate and organized records of cases, decisions, and historic resource data.

●        Public Resource & Outreach. Serve as a primary resource for property owners, applicants, community members, partner agencies, and elected officials, supporting the preservation of historic resources through technical expertise, collaboration, and responsive customer service. Assist Planning and Historical Commission staff with community outreach and education on preservation requirements, incentives, and historic resources.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

●        Advanced knowledge of preservation principles, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and relevant local/state preservation regulations.

●        Familiarity with the history and zoning laws of Nashville and Tennessee.

●        Ability to interpret architectural drawings, site plans, and technical reports, and guide staff in doing the same.

●        Professional certifications (such as AICP or AIA) preferred but not required.

●        Supervisory or team leadership experience in a planning, zoning, or historic preservation environment.

●        Skills in research, documentation, and case management, with experience overseeing others performing this work.

●        Experience managing public processes and working with diverse stakeholders, including property owners, developers, builders, and community organizations.

●        Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creative problem-solving in a politically complex regulatory environment.

●        Strong communication skills, including presentation, facilitation, and the ability to advise both staff and appointed bodies.

●        Ability to present technical information to lay people in ways they can understand, including communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, in plain-language narratives for the general public.

●        Ability to value and respect cultural differences, and balance different perspectives.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

The Planning Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline or any other employment practices because of non-merit factors shall be prohibited. For ADA inquiries, contact Randi Semrick, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at (615) 862-7230 or e-mail her at randi.semrick@nashville.gov. For Title VI inquiries, contact Human Relations at (615) 880-3370. For all employment-related inquiries, contact Human Resources at (615) 862-6640.