Job Listing
 🔗Project Reviewer, Courthouse Preservation Program (Environmental Protection Specialist III/IV or Architect I/II)

  • Full Time
  • Austin, TX
  • $5,040 - $7,400 USD / Month
  • October 18, 2024
  • Job Reference #: 25-7
  • Job Qualifications:

    QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS (The application must specifically state how each of the following qualifications are met):

    • Graduation with a professional architecture degree (Bachelor or Master of Architecture) from an NAAB-accredited college or university (or a comparable, internationally accredited professional architecture degree) with coursework in historic preservation;
    • Minimum two years’ full-time professional experience in architecture, including production or review of construction drawings and specifications; coordination of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings; and construction administration;
    • Minimum two years’ full-time professional experience in historic preservation, including review or creation of detailed investigations of historic structures, historic architectural research, and production or review of construction drawings and specifications for preservation projects OR a graduate degree in historic preservation with a Certificate of Historic Preservation;
    • Experience with in-depth application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;
    • Demonstrated public speaking and writing skills;
    • Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
    • Availability to travel up to the required 30% of the work period.

    PREFER:

    • Five or more years of full-time professional experience in the fields of architecture and historic preservation, including in-depth administration of historic restoration planning and construction projects;
    • Graduate degree in architecture,  historic preservation, preservation planning, or a closely related field with coursework in preservation technology and/or materials conservation;
    • Experience administering commercial-scale construction projects;
    • Experience applying best practices in historic facility maintenance;
    • Experience applying local, state, and federal laws related to the protection of historic structures;
    • Experience working in partnership with elected and appointed officials;
    • Experience in regulatory review related to easement monitoring and management;
    • Experience in records management for large programs or organizations.
  • How to Apply:

    To apply for this job, please visit CAPPS Recruit. 

  • Physical Demands / Work Environment: This position is housed in a state building near the state capitol in Austin and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. In addition to office work, duties will include evaluating historic structures, which may involve entering attics, crawlspaces, and other dark, damp, or confined spaces, as well as climbing ladders, using boom lifts, and walking on roofs. Work may involve extended periods working outdoors in hot or cold conditions. Work includes visiting active construction sites where loud noises, dust, and uneven walking surfaces may be encountered. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking, standing, pulling and pushing, kneeling, stooping, and bending, performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination, and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Applicants must be willing to travel, and overnight travel is often required. This position attends and sometimes presents at conferences, meetings, and workshops, requiring evening and weekend work hours. Telework policy permits up to three days per week of remote work.
  • Contact Name: Joy Black
  • Application Email: joy.black@thc.texas.gov
  • Application URL: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/808/jobdetail.ftl?job=00045070
  • Application Phone #: 5129360845

Website Texas Historical Commission

JOB OBJECTIVE: Preserve and protect county courthouses across Texas as part of the Division of Architecture’s renowned Courthouse Preservation Program. As part of a six-member team, provide technical assistance and project reviews in a range of settings to varied audiences by way of written and verbal communication. Partner with counties, architectural, engineering, and conservation consultants, and contractors to advise on best preservation practices, materials conservation, construction processes, and maintenance planning. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. (subject to change once salary group/classification has been determined)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

  1. Serve as a project reviewer for the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). Administer grant-funded construction and planning projects for compliance with the program statute, rules, and grant manual.
  2. Review proposals for changes to historic courthouses for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties under the state laws protecting courthouses, the Antiquities Code of Texas, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation, and preservation easements.
  3. Review and comment on preservation master plans, historic structures reports, paint and finish analyses, structural assessments, project completion reports, and grant applications. Use these documents to inform courthouse preservation project review with a primary focus on Restoration Treatment under the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
  4. Perform detailed review of and recommend changes as necessary to architectural plans and specifications at schematic design, design development, 60%, and 95% construction document phases to comply with the program standards and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;
  5. Review hazardous materials assessments and understand state laws regarding hazardous materials treatment as related to preserving historic fabric.
  6. Review and request changes when necessary to structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designs/drawings as they impact the architectural drawings and historic architecture.
  7. Understand the International Building Code, International Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association, and the Texas Accessibility Standards and apply them to historic buildings to minimize the impact on historic elements and materials while meeting compliance.
  8. Prepare conceptual designs as part of the review of architectural plans & specifications.
  9. Review and recommend changes to value engineering proposals.
  10. Review construction budgets and owner/architect/contractor contracts.
  11. Work with the project team to meet the project budget and schedule.
  12. Review and recommend changes as necessary to ASIs, change orders, submittals, shop drawings, mock-ups, samples, and progress meeting minutes during construction.
  13. Attend and participate in monthly on-site progress meetings for grant-funded construction projects.
  14. Meet regularly with elected officials, owner representatives, project architect(s), contractors, and subcontractors on site and provide guidance on construction solutions as they impact historic building materials and architecture.
  15. Review and provide comments on attachments to grant contracts, preservation easements, and grant fund reimbursement requests.
  16. Track building conditions and cyclical maintenance activities on restored courthouses, including those protected by preservation easements.
  17. Provide technical guidance on the treatment of building elements and materials for courthouse preservation, repair, and maintenance.
  18. Perform research using historic photographs and documents, including onsite investigations, as part of the courthouse preservation planning process. Research historic construction and finish materials.
  19. Develop and conduct training sessions to educate county facilities managers and county officials on best practices for courthouse preservation and facility management.
  20. Work with the program specialist to process grant paperwork for the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) and maintain site visit reports, work logs, digital project files, and program databases.
  21. Present programmatic information to agency staff, architects/consultants, property owners, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public.
  22. Work collaboratively with staff from THC’s Communications Division, History Programs Division, Archeology Division, and the Community Heritage Development Division.
  23. Adhere to an established work schedule with regular attendance.
  24. Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

  1. Perform other duties as assigned.

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!

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.

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.