Job Listing
🔗Community Liaison, Texas Main Street Program (Program Specialist II/III)
Website Texas Historical Commission
JOB OBJECTIVE: This position provides essential support to the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) and the network of 90 communities across Texas. The TMSP is a downtown revitalization effort with more than a 40-year track record of assisting Texas communities of various sizes. This is one of several programs housed within the Community Heritage Development Division (CHD) in the Texas Historical Commission (THC).
Under the direction of the TMSP state coordinator, the community liaison will ensure that TMSP has foundational data for a well-rounded understanding of local program staffing, assets, preservation initiatives, and performance to inform the TMSP team and national Main Street America accreditation process. The community liaison will develop relationships with local program participants and ensure that stakeholders (Main Street managers, board members, city staff, partners) are actively developing a preservation-based foundation of Main Street America’s revitalization strategy, the Main Street Approach™. To this end, the Liaison will work with TMSP staff to organize and implement an annual virtual and in-person educational curriculum while tracking local programs’ completion of continuing education opportunities. Dependent upon knowledge and experience level, the liaison will deliver onboard training for managers and related content.
The liaison will work with the state coordinator and assistant state coordinator to analyze quarterly and annual reporting in accordance with Main Street America accreditation standards. This analysis will include on-site evaluations that include tours of downtown districts and meetings with local stakeholders. This position works with other members of the program team, including organizational, architectural, economic development, and city planning professionals.
The TMSP community liaison will work under general supervision. Latitude for initiative and independent judgment will be proportional to the liaison’s understanding of program priorities and efficient implementation of duties¾successful management of assigned duties will result in a broader range of creative opportunities for growth in workload and professional development. Occasional travel required, averaging three nights per month with some ability to control the travel schedule.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
1. Serve as a point of contact for local program Main Street managers seeking TMSP services, tracking requests and routing individuals to appropriate staff and/or partners.
2. Provide training and technical services to designated Main Street communities in Texas related to historic preservation and the Main Street Approach™.
3. Communicate and reinforce Main Street methods, historic preservation standards, organizational best practices, and THC procedures.
4. With help from TMSP state coordinator, incorporate applicable agency goals from the statewide historic preservation plan into planning and training efforts.
5. Assist in the planning and management of a variety of educational events during the year, including the following: tours to newly designated Main Street communities, with related ceremonies and receptions; occasional virtual meetings to educate or update community stakeholders; and in-person annual professional development meeting of the TMSP community network.
6. Assist in the production of educational materials, presentations, accreditation publications, planning reports for individual communities, and other program materials.
7. Contribute content to the TMSP online resource library in association with manager onboarding and network curriculum as directed by the state coordinator and assistant coordinator.
8. Work with the TMSP state coordinator and assistant coordinator to plan, organize, and assist with special projects as needed, for instance, annual network retreat and content for the THC’s Real Places Conference.
9. Pursue knowledge of historic preservation and Main Street Approach priorities (organization, economic vitality, and promotion), as well as techniques and trends that impact Main Street communities and organizations.
10. Identify activities that may produce a more effective program at the local level and work with state coordinator and associate coordinator on possible implementation.
11. Field requests for consultative services and technical assistance from local Main Street programs; collaborate with TMSP colleagues to plan, implement, and monitor effective programs and services.
12. Exhibit enthusiasm and passion for historic preservation principles, encouraging a high standard of excellence in Main Street communities.
13. Understand, demonstrate, and advocate for the features and values of the program’s online tool, DowntownTX.org to encourage its effective use by local programs.
14. May provide guidance on program tools and techniques to colleagues.
15. Adhere to established work schedule with regular attendance.
16. Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
17. Perform other duties as assigned.
-
NCPE Internships: Eligibility & How to Apply
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.
As an organization operating under Public Land Corps Act (PLC) authority, many NCPE positions qualify the intern for Federal Hiring Preference if (1) they complete a minimum of 640 hours at one or more qualifying conservation project(s); (2) are between the ages of 16 and 30 years (35 if a veteran); and (3) apply for a Federal position at USAJOBS with PLC noted in the announcement within two years of completing the internship. Find out more about this hiring preference during the interview or contact manager@preservenet.org for details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program or recently graduated (within the past 12 months) and be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Interns are not eligible 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 during the Summer and Winter application rounds 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 user name 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. PDF only, labeled Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages preferred. May be .doc, .docx or PDF. 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 this application round. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified. Please allow about 4 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.
Quick Tips on How to Apply
#1 If you feel you need to bolster your resume or expand your knowledge base in a certain area, consider offering research assistance to an authority at your university and/or design a 1-credit reading course with an eminent scholar or practitioner.
#2 "Experience" is more than paid work. It is any activity that gives you the knowledge and ability to do something well. So include in the Universal Application all relevant research projects, academic extracurricular activities, and volunteer interests to show your initiative, leadership, and competency.
#3 Proofread everything. The qualification most sought after for any job or internship is strong communication skills so start off on the right foot with no spelling or grammatical errors in your application.
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.