Job Listing
🔗Executive Director

  • Full Time
  • Durham, N.C.
  • $75,000 – $80,000/- USD / Year
  • Job Summary: The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of Preservation Durham, responsible for overall organizational management, fundraising, program development, and community engagement.
  • Job Qualifications:

    Qualifications

    • Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization
    • Proven track record of achieving fundraising goals
    • Experience in historic preservation, cultural heritage, or a related field
    • Familiarity with preservation easements, property compliance, and/or historic real estate
    • Proven proficiency and financial operations

    Preferred Skills

    • Proven organizational, financial, and team management skills
    • Excellent communication and public speaking abilities
    • Proficiency with CRM systems (Neon preferred) and Microsoft/Google Suite
    • Dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment
  • How to Apply:

    Please send the following materials to Employment@preservationdurham.org

    1. Cover Letter
    2. Resume
    3. References
  • Job benefits: Cell phone stipend; Healthcare stipend; 17 days of combined paid vacation and sick leave, plus 14 paid holidays
  • Physical Demands / Work Environment: This is a full-time, primarily in-person position which requires schedule flexibility to accommodate evening and weekend hours as needed.
  • Application Email: employment@preservtiondurham.org

Website Preservation Durham

Founded in 1974, Preservation Durham is a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to protecting Durham’s culturally diverse history, heritage, and historic assets through education, advocacy, and action. Our work spans historic properties, landscapes, neighborhoods, and the stories of the communities that shaped them. Over the past two years, Preservation Durham has experienced significant growth and transformation, with a strong emphasis on advocacy and community-centered preservation. With a new strategic plan in place, the organization is poised to expand its impact even further. We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Executive Director to lead us into this next chapter.

Leadership & Strategy

  • Provide vision and strategic direction for programs, operations, and growth
  • Champion an inclusive and expansive approach to historic preservation
  • Partner with the Board to implement long-term plans and organizational priorities
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization

Fundraising & Development

  • Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy across diverse revenue streams
  • Plan and implement a capital campaign to support growth and preservation initiatives
  • Cultivate and steward major donors and key funding partners
    Oversee grant writing, reporting, and compliance

Operations & Preservation Oversight

  • Manage day-to-day operations, including supervision of a small staff and interns
  • Oversee budgeting, financial management, and organizational systems
  • Manage a portfolio of 55 historic preservation easements, including compliance and stewardship
  • Provide guidance on real estate transactions and preservation agreements
  • Ensure effective use of CRM systems and alignment across communications, programs, and fundraising
  • Directing brand outreach and engagement

Board & Community Engagement

  • Support and empower the Board as ambassadors and fundraisers
  • Build strong partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally
  • Engage volunteers, stakeholders, and community members in meaningful ways
  • Promote equitable and inclusive engagement in preservation efforts

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.