Job Description

Principal Senior Architectural Historian – Cranbury, NJ or Philadelphia, PA

Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc. (RGA) is seeking a Principal Senior Architectural Historian to be based out of its Cranbury, New Jersey or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office. This is a hybrid position, and applicants must be within reasonable commuting distance to project sites in the NJ/PA area for meetings, site visits, research, and fieldwork duties. Prior work experience in the mid-Atlantic/Northeast is preferred but not required. The successful candidate should have at least 8 years’ experience (at a cultural resources management firm, SHPO, state/federal regulatory agencies, or similar), meet the qualifications set forth in the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Architectural Historians/Historians (36CFR61), and have a Master’s Degree in History, Architectural History, Historic Preservation, or closely related field. Experience with federal and state cultural resource management regulations, including a good working knowledge of Section 106 and NEPA, is required.

This position offers the candidate the opportunity to excel in and contribute to a collaborative, team environment. RGA utilizes a range of digital tools to promote collaboration and foster a social, friendly atmosphere. Constructive ideas and input are actively encouraged and welcomed to improve day-to-day operations and workflow. The selected candidate will enjoy a wide variety of project types, such as historic architectural surveys, comprehensive documentation, interpretive and curatorial programming, and preservation planning, among others, while expanding their knowledge and understanding of many different types of architectural resources.

Responsibilities include managing complex cultural resources surveys, overseeing multiple staff members, conducting detailed primary and secondary source historical research, proficient technical report writing and editing, proposal development, National Register evaluations, HABS/HAER/HALS documentation, and review of similar deliverables produced by architectural historians, among others. The position requires regular coordination and communication with various agencies and stakeholders to meet project goals and secure necessary regulatory approvals, including federal and state agencies, state historic preservation offices, local governments, community organizations, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders. Familiarity with the regional history and the cultural and built environment of the Mid-Atlantic is desirable. The ability to conduct intensive archival research (i.e., using deeds, census records, etc.) and to write clear, cogent, and thorough historic contexts is a must. The ideal candidate will be detail oriented, possess strong organizational skills, and have the ability to manage priorities and meet project deadlines and budgets. RGA is committed to supporting professional development through training, professional memberships, and conference attendance.

RGA is committed to leadership development and is willing to train the right candidate for this position.

The Principal Senior Architectural Historian will oversee and coordinate all phases of cultural resource project workflow, including the following detailed responsibilities:

• Direct, plan, organize, and manage historic architectural surveys and other related projects and deliverables.
• Supervise project architectural historians and principal investigators on multiple complex projects.
• Review and edit historic architectural survey reports and related projects, including technical writing.
• Communicate with clients on survey progress and results, ensuring that projects are performed within budget, in accordance with project schedules, and following federal and state review agency guidelines.
• Coordinate and have direct contact with federal, state, county, municipal, and private clients, and interface with regulatory agencies, which will include state historic preservation offices, local governments, community organizations, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Develop technical proposals and associated budgets.
• Conduct primary and secondary source historical research and synthesize research into architecturally relevant background histories; analyze research results and contextualize historic resources within their relevant historical themes, geographical areas, and chronological periods.
• Technical report writing.
• Conduct National Register eligibility evaluations, including context development.
• Prepare survey forms and reports.
• Develop detailed physical descriptions for a variety of historic resources, including buildings, structures, objects, landscapes, etc.
• Complete HABS/HAER/HALS documentation.
• Develop and draft interpretive materials (i.e., signs/displays, historic context studies, pamphlets, etc.).
• Conduct site visits to survey historic resources through field notes and digital photography.

Qualifications & Abilities:

• Master’s degree or PhD in History, Architectural History, Historic Preservation, or closely related field OR meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Architectural History/History.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with the architecture and history of the mid-Atlantic/Northeast region (preferred).
• At least 8 years of experience as a Principal Investigator or with a SHPO or state or federal agency in a similar role.
• Diverse project management experience on small and large project types of varying complexity.
• Experience with various local, state, and federal cultural resource management regulations, including a good working knowledge of NEPA and Section 106.
• Detailed, working knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and the National Park Service’s guidelines for completing HABS/HAER/HALS documentation projects.
• Ability to prepare technical and cost proposals.
• Generate and contribute resourceful and effective problem-solving strategies as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Technical writing, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Collegiality in working with archaeologists, historians, and administrative and support staff as part of a team environment.
• Strong self-starter attitude with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective multi-tasking abilities while managing priorities and meeting project deadlines and budgets.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to traverse up to five miles per day for fieldwork.

This is a full-time position, and compensation includes a complete benefits package including:

• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401k with Employer Match
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance, Long Term Disability

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. The average salary range for this position is $85,000-$100,000 and dependent upon experience and qualifications.

If you wish to be considered for this opportunity, please email a cover letter, a copy of a current CV (or resume) detailing education and work experience, three professional references, and a writing sample (3-5 pages, exclusive of supporting graphics) to:

Lauren Holmes, Human Resources Director

[email protected]

RGA is one of the largest cultural resource consulting firms in the Eastern US, with a staff of Historians, Architectural Historians, and Archaeologists. RGA is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. RGA is a Drug-Free Workplace. RGA participates in E-Verify.

RGA is a certified WBE/DBE/SBE.

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