Preservation Director

You are interested in thought leadership and are dedicated to telling the full story of history, advocating for community self-determination, protecting cultural and intangible heritage, and supporting equitable revitalization. We are seeking a passionate and dynamic individual with emotional intelligence and the ability to inspire others. In this role, you will have one direct report whom you will hire to achieve our mission of providing robust education and public programming. As the Preservation Director, you will oversee initiatives and campaigns to enhance awareness and support for historic preservation, working closely with local governments, developers, and officials, and report directly to the Executive Director.

Qualifications
– Knowledge of historic preservation incentive programs, including federal tax credits, the Mills Act, and preservation easements
– Knowledge of preservation practices and resources, applicable to residential and commercial buildings
– Ability to recognize and describe historic building styles and materials, applying appropriate standards
– Excellent communication and organizational skills and ability to work independently and as a team member
– Strong computer skills and basic photographic skills for documentation and publication purposes
-Minimum of a master’s degree in related field and five years’ experience.

Advocacy:
– Research, analyze, and document concerns about and threats to historic buildings
– Draft correspondence and prepare oral presentations to defend endangered properties and sites
– Work with owners, developers, and other stakeholders to find preservation-sensitive solutions for projects involving historic resources
– Provide leadership and support to the Advocacy Vice Chair and members of the Advocacy Committee in developing positions on important preservation issues
– Prepare landmark nominations and assist with local landmark and National Register nominations
– Develop working relationships with city staff, commissioners, private consultants, preservation architects, legal experts, and others for consultation and collaboration
– Serve as spokesperson on preservation issues at commissions and other meetings

Technical Expertise:
– Knowledge of historic architecture (particularly in Pasadena/Southern California), preservation practices, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and other technical standards and resources
– Knowledge of local preservation ordinances, guidelines, and other city policies and practices related to preservation
– General knowledge of state and national preservation laws and practices

Easement Program:
– Monitor existing historic preservation easements, conduct annual inspections, and prepare inspection notices and reports
– Review requests for changes to easement buildings, prepare recommendations and approval documents

Other Responsibilities:
– Write advocacy-related copy for the e-news, newsletter, and other publications
– Create, organize, and execute programs for members and the public relating to preservation, incentives, best practices, and city planning
– Oversee one staff member, plus interns or volunteers assigned to projects under your direction
– Support other programs and activities of the organization
Salary and Benefits
This is an exempt full-time position with a salary range of $90-110K. As a matter of equity, we do not negotiate compensation but we are happy to share our salary rubric with you.

We offer:
– Fully paid health insurance, dental, vision, and a 403b account
– Hybrid work schedule with the ability to work from home two days per week
– 11 holidays plus paid office closure from December 24th to January 1st
– 15 days of PTO and 6 sick days

How to Apply
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please send a cover letter and resume/CV to preservation@pasadenaheritage.org. We will read your cover letter, so please tell us why this position excites you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pasadena Heritage is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, and persons with disabilities. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences enhance the richness of our work and our community. Pasadena Heritage is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Don’t meet all the qualifications? Please don’t hesitate to apply — we’d love to hear from you.