Job Listing
 🔗Executive Director

  • Consultant
  • Part Time
  • New Jersey (Remote)
  • $24,000/- USD / Year
  • September 4, 2026
  • Job Qualifications:

    Qualifications:
    • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in historic preservation, public administration, nonprofit management, planning, Page 5 of 8 history, architecture, business administration, public policy, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
    • Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, preservation organization, museum, government agency, or related field, including at least three (3) years in a senior management or executive leadership role.
    • Demonstrated experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and implementing board-adopted goals and initiatives.
    • Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation, grant writing and administration, membership development, and financial management.
    • Strong knowledge of historic preservation principles, programs, funding sources, tax incentives, easements, and preservation policy at the local, state, and federal levels.
    • Experience leading public policy, legislative advocacy, coalition-building, and government relations, including representing an organization before elected officials, government agencies, and partner organizations.
    • Demonstrated ability to develop and launch new programs and initiatives that advance organizational mission and statewide impact.
    • Experience supervising staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers while fostering a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture.
    • Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with board members, donors, government officials, community organizations, media, and the public.
    • Strong organizational, administrative, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, deadlines, and complex initiatives simultaneously.
    • Working knowledge of nonprofit financial management, budgeting, grant compliance, and organizational governance.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM or donor management systems, website content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media, and virtual meeting platforms.
    • Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, solve complex problems, and balance strategic leadership with the day-to-day operational responsibilities of a small nonprofit organization.
    • Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout New Jersey and, as needed, nationally for meetings, conferences, and advocacy activities

  • How to Apply:

    Please submit a resume and brief cover letter describing your interest in Preservation New Jersey’s mission and relevant experience to info@preservationnj.org by September 4, 2026.
    https://preservationnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Executive-Director-Job-Description.pdf

    Note: Interviews and selection process will NOT begin until after the application deadline.

  • Job benefits: N/A
  • Application Email: info@preservationnj.org
  • Application URL: https://preservationnj.org/preservation-new-jersey-seeks-new-executive-director/

Website Preservation New Jersey

Founded in 1978, Preservation New Jersey (PNJ) is a statewide member-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the economic vitality, sustainability, and heritage of New Jersey’s diverse communities through historic preservation advocacy and education. PNJ works to protect and promote New Jersey’s historic places through raising of public awareness, technical assistance, advocacy initiatives, educational programming, and partnerships with local communities, preservation organizations, and public agencies.

Preservation New Jersey seeks a visionary, strategic, and mission-driven Executive Director to serve as the organization’s chief executive officer and lead its statewide preservation, advocacy, and educational efforts. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission by developing innovative programs, strengthening partnerships, expanding organizational capacity, and serving as the leading voice for historic preservation throughout New Jersey. This position is responsible for implementation of the organization’s strategic direction in partnership with the Board of Trustees while overseeing all aspects of operations, fundraising, financial management, communications, membership, and program delivery. The Executive Director will lead and oversee the organization’s major initiatives, including statewide advocacy efforts, preservation policy development, educational programming, and new organizational initiatives that strengthen Preservation New Jersey’s impact. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, preservation partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders, the Executive Director will lead both the overall strategic vision and the day-to-day management of the organization, ensuring that Preservation New Jersey remains a strong, effective, and influential advocate for preserving New Jersey’s historic places.

Executive Leadership and Organizational Direction

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and principal advocate of Preservation New Jersey and is expected to actively drive the organization’s vision, priorities, growth, and statewide impact. In addition to administering existing programs and routine operations; it requires a proactive leader who can identify emerging preservation needs, develop new initiatives, build partnerships, and move the organization’s strategic agenda forward in coordination with the Board of Trustees.

As the organization transitions with a new Executive Director, it is understood that the incoming Executive will support the advancement of establishing a statewide preservation easement program and launching a comprehensive training program for historic preservation commissions, municipal officials, and preservation advocates. The Executive Director will also guide Preservation New Jersey’s current advocacy agenda by monitoring legislative and policy development. Current advocacy priorities include supporting the continued reauthorization and funding of the federal Historic Preservation Fund; advancing improvements to the Federal Historic Tax Credit program; supporting state legislation for the protection and preservation of abandoned and neglected cemeteries; and developing and advocating for a New Jersey historic homeowner rehabilitation tax credit program.

While the position requires high-level leadership, the Executive Director must also be prepared to manage the practical and administrative responsibilities necessary to operate a state-level nonprofit organization. These responsibilities include developing and balancing budgets, managing grants and contracts, preparing correspondence and advocacy letters, maintaining organizational records, coordinating meetings, responding to
public inquiries, and completing routine clerical and day-to-day operational tasks. The successful candidate must be equally comfortable setting statewide priorities, meeting with policymakers and funders, and directly completing the administrative work required to implement those priorities.

FOR FULL LISTING PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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.