Job Listing
🔗Historic Preservation Specialist

  • Full Time
  • Waterford, NY
  • $65,000 USD / Year
  • April 23, 2025
  • Department: Division for Historic Preservation - Survey & National Register Unit
  • Job Summary: The Historic Preservation Specialist implements the work of the Survey and National Register Unit within an assigned geographic territory.
  • Job Qualifications:

    Minimum Qualifications

    Must meet the qualifications of either 1 or 2 below:

    1. a bachelor’s degree in art history, architectural history, historic preservation, historic preservation planning, and TWO years of experience in a technical or professional capacity working with historic preservation projects;

    Or 2. a master’s degree or higher in any of the above disciplines and ONE year of qualifying experience as noted above.

    Preferred:

    ·        Proven experience in researching historic buildings and preparing National Register nominations and historic resource survey reports is preferred.

  • How to Apply:

    Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and two relevant writing samples (such as a National Register nomination, survey report, or historic resource inventory form) via email: chelsea.towers@parks.ny.gov

    Deadline: COB, April 23, 2025

  • Job benefits: Paid leave time; a comprehensive health insurance program; and membership in the NYS Employees Retirement System
  • Contact Name: Chelsea Towers
  • Application Email: chelsea.towers@parks.ny.gov

Website New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is a state agency within the New York State Executive Branch that is responsible for the care and management over 215 Parks and Historic Sites. Collectively, these public facilities provide both residents and visitors access to natural, historic and scenic resources with opportunities for outdoor recreation and places to learn about New York’s rich cultural heritage. OPRHP’s Division for Historic Preservation (also known as the State Historic Preservation Office or SHPO) helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve, and revitalize their historic and cultural resources. The Division for Historic Preservation administers programs authorized by both the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the New York State Historic Preservation Act of 1980.

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Division for Historic Preservation (also known as the State Historic Preservation Office or SHPO) helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve, and revitalize their historic and cultural resources. The Division for Historic Preservation (DHP) administers programs authorized by both the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the New York State Historic Preservation Act of 1980. These programs, including the Statewide Historic Resources Survey, the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places, the historic rehabilitation tax credits, the Certified Local Government program, the state historic preservation grants program, state and federal environmental review, and a wide range of technical assistance, are provided through a network of teams assigned to territories across the state.

The Historic Preservation Program Analyst implements the work of the Survey and National Register Unit within an assigned geographic territory. This person directs and monitors historic resource surveys; prepares evaluations of eligibility for historic properties and districts; reviews and comments on state and federal undertakings through compliance reviews; reviews Part 1 applications for the State Homeownership tax credit program; and documents historic properties and districts for nomination to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Specific Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

•                  CONSULTATION: Evaluate state and federal consultation submissions to determine if eligible historic properties are present and are likely to be impacted.  State and Federal compliance submissions are evaluated for accuracy and completeness.  NR eligibility findings are prepared in a concise format, citing the appropriate criteria.  Compliance reviews must be completed within the required time frames afforded under state and federal law while allowing sufficient time for all other internal reviewers.

•                  STATE AND NATIONAL REGISTERS PROGRAM:  Prepare State and National Register of Historic Places nominations and guide property owners and consultants in the development of nominations.  Edit resulting drafts to ensure conformance with acceptable National Park Service standards.  Do additional research, if required.

•                  PUBLIC MEETINGS: Participate in public informational meetings. Present nominations to the New York State Board for Historic Preservation.

•                  SITE VISITS:  Make site visits and meet with project sponsors for both survey and National Register projects.

•                  SURVEYS: Assist local sponsors in designing historic resources surveys.  Periodic travel to assigned territory is required.  Evaluate completed surveys; update online inventory with new USN and/or revisions to existing ones.  Discussion of methodology and boundaries with consultants; reviewing and analyzing final reports; preparing determinations of NR eligibility; and issuing comment letters to sponsors.

•                  CULTURAL RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEM (CRIS) INVENTORY/TREKKER MOBILE APP:  Review for content and quality control incoming data from our Trekker Mobile App.  Enter building inventory information into CRIS to ensure the consistency and accuracy of all data.  Help maintain and update the database of historic properties in CRIS. Assist with the ongoing clean-up of existing unique site numbers so that the data are correct. This detail-oriented work includes reconciling legacy data as part of her review of Survey reports and project review submissions.

The Historic Preservation Program Analyst works on site at DHP’s offices at Peebles Island State Park, Waterford, NY 12188 with the possibility of up to 50% remote work after a training period.

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.

Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Interns are not allowed 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 anytime 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 username 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. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. 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 an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!



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.