Principal Architectural Historian

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Architectural Historian to nationally support the HUD NEPA/ CDBG DR programs as well as assisting surrounding subregions. The candidate will also work with current staff and projects across the South region and provide support across other regions, as needed.

The Principal Architectural Historian is a core member of the subregion's Cultural Resources program and will collaborate with SWCA's managers, directors, and principals on technical and business development efforts. This role will develop new business, manage large-scale projects, meet financial goals, and mentor others to do the same.

This is a permanent, full-time, salaried position that is eligible for hybrid or remote-based work, to be affiliated with our Raleigh/Durham, NC office.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

The Principal Architectural Historian position will be responsible for developing business, mentoring staff, and collaborating on program strategies for the Southeast subregion and in collaboration with the other subregions. The successful candidate will focus on identifying and evaluating opportunities in the market, and building relationships for architectural history, history, and historic preservation services, and partners with internal SWCA managers in the other environmental disciplines.

• Independently manage stand-alone historic preservation projects (both large and small) and assist other project managers in the execution of architectural history components of multi-disciplinary projects.
• Plan and complete historic resource surveys of residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and institutional properties using Arc-GIS-enabled tablet computers, digital photography, and other survey methodology meeting the standards of relevant State Historic Preservation Offices.
• Lead QA/QC of office technical studies in support of various historic resource evaluations and nominations, Secretary of the Interior's Standards project review, and a number of other projects related to preservation planning and policy.
• Conduct archival research, focusing on primary and secondary sources, and write historic narratives and context statements.
• Evaluate resources under National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria.
• Prepare technical reports and defensible compliance documentation in support of NHPA/Section 106 consultation.
• Prepare NRHP nominations and Multiple Property Documentation forms.
• Preparation of defensible compliance documentation in support of NHPA/Section 106/and other regulatory review.
• Developing and managing project budgets and project staff; leading architectural history proposal and marketing efforts.
• Organizes and creates best practices and processes.
• Collaborates as part of an interdisciplinary environmental team.
• Carrying out project-level review for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
• Assisting local governments with creating and revising planning regulations, including historic preservation ordinances.
• Identify and evaluate sales opportunities (prospects and proposals) and make recommendations to the Directors; lead proposal efforts.
• Work with clients to identify project needs and make recommendations for management of historic resources.
• Network within industry organizations to expand the regional client base in line with the region's strategic goals.
• Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Minimum qualifications:

• A Master's Degree in architectural history, historic preservation, Anthropology, or other closely related field required.
• Twelve (12) years of experience conducting research, writing, and consulting in American architectural history with a consulting firm, agency, or other professional organization; preferred experience includes working on a variety of project types and sizes, on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation), in multiple regions, and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Meets Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards in Architectural History (36 CFR Part 61).
• A working knowledge of federal and state cultural resource and historic preservation laws and practices, including NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and NEPA.
• Experience managing large projects and programs, including budgets, scheduling, and scopes of work.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising, mentoring, and providing leadership for other professionals.
• Demonstrated business development success and consulting acumen, including established credibility with federal and state reviewing agencies and clients, as well as success in proposal writing.
• Excellent technical writing skills with a record of completing technical reports in a timely fashion.
• Primary report authorship in a CRM context and experience providing quality control review of field documents, site forms, and reports.
• Knowledge of the history and architectural history of the southeast subregion.
• Experience with application of The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (36 CFR Part 67) and implementing mitigation documents including Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscape Surveys.
• Ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn company procedures, and ability to try new, improved techniques.
• Has worked on an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and planners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with HUD-specific environmental requirements and procedures, including those outlined in 24 CFR Part 58 and 24 CFR Part 51.
• Experience in managing the environmental review process for HUD-funded projects, particularly in the context of disaster recovery and resilience.
• Experience in conducting environmental assessments, preparing Environmental Review Records (ERRs), and facilitating public participation in the environmental review process.
• Prior experience managing and mentoring staff.

Why Work at SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, a Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

A Principal Architectural Historian employee in this Raleigh/Durham, NC-based position can expect an annual salary of $100,692.80 - $131,757.60. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.