Architectural History Specialist

Title: Architectural History Specialist          
Location: Remote            
Job Code: SAHS_2024
Job Link: SEARCH Job Postings - Direct Applications

Position Information

SEARCH has an immediate opening for a Full-Time Architectural History Specialist to join our Architectural History team. The Architectural History Specialist performs and conducts field surveys; writes architectural descriptions, reports, and resource forms; develops thoughtful NRHP evaluations and effects assessments; and assists in agency consultation regarding historic resource. This role will collaborate with a team of other Architectural Historians, Historians, and Archaeologists throughout the US and will primarily support projects in the Southwestern United States.     

SEARCH provides a flexible work environment, a professional and collaborative atmosphere, and a wide range of projects and opportunities for our staff. SEARCH offers a competitive total compensation package with strong health and wellness and retirement plans. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, group term life insurance, 401(k) plan with match, 10 paid holidays per year, and accrued paid time off (PTO). Pay is commensurate with education and experience.              

Key Responsibilities:

• Use experience, education from a degreed program, and professional judgment to identify and evaluate resources related to the built environment. 
• Adhere to project health and safety plan and participate, and/or lead, when necessary, in office and field training and meetings. Offer recommendations for improvement to Health & Safety Manager. 
• Based upon education, field observations, and scientific judgement, revise field methodology to meet goals of the overall project. 
• Perform pre-field background research, prepare maps, input data into electronic devices, and prepare project summary for field staff. 
• Conduct historic building reviews in support of pre-project transmittals (proposals, client requests for cultural resource information) research design to identify, record, and evaluate historic and prehistoric structures. 
• Conduct Architectural History fieldwork which includes recording structures in field notebooks and onsite file forms, photographing structures, and preparing the write-up for reports. 
• At times, supervise other project team members, including Architectural History Technicians, Architectural History Assistants, and other Architectural History Specialist while working alongside them to fulfill the daily, weekly, or project-length research requirements. 
• Provide SEARCH field crews with maps depicting historic features within our project boundaries. 
• Write historic contexts at the county, city, or parcel level.  
• Evaluate and record accurate, organized, and clear field notes including but not limited to: maps, drawings, photo logs, forms, tables, databases, and other project documentation. 
• Take photographs that are clear, well-composed, and adequate to portray the historic character of each resource. 
• Perform quality control of field data (hand-written and electronic) daily to ensure information is accurate and complete. 
• Maintain field equipment, technology, vehicles, and supplies in a clean, working, and safe manner. 
• Occasionally meet with, coordinate, and collaborate with landowners, land agents, clients, other field research teams, and visiting regulatory agency staff. 
• Complete timesheets and other administrative or project requirements accurately and on schedule. 
• Understand and adhere to the SEARCH Brand Guidelines, SEARCH Style Guide, SEARCH Fieldwork Guide, and the SEARCH Employee Manual, and encourage others to do the same. 
• Understand and strictly adhere to SEARCH’s confidentiality, non-disclosure, and social media agreements, as well as any project- or client-specific requirements limiting the release of project data. 
• Maintain utilization goals. 
• Travel for extended periods of time. 
• Other duties as assigned. 
  

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Utilize GIS to organize, interpret, and document field research. 
• Interview informants to gather information on history and use of property. 
• Contribute to the preparation of thorough, accurate, professional, high-quality technical reports, including writing tasks, graphics, report production, and quality control. 
• Provide daily updates on project progress to the Lead Architectural History Specialist/ Senior Architectural History Specialist. 
• Assist the Principal Investigator and/or Project Manager with other research, project management, and administration tasks.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation or a related field. 
• Minimum one year experience in Architectural History or related field. 

Qualifications Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Historic Preservation or a related field. 
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Professional Qualification Standards for Architectural History or Historic Preservation (36 CFR Part 61).
• Understanding of the Cultural Resource Management (CRM) industry (firms, clients, contracts, new research, and projects) at the regionwide, nationwide, and worldwide level.
• Experience with Section 106 and 110 compliance projects.  
• Familiarity with State and Federal cultural resource laws, particularly the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. 

Application Requirements:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• References
• Two Writing Samples

Other Important Need-to-Know Information

• This position will require flexible availability outside of standard working hours.
• Applicants must be eligible to be employed in the United States.
• SEARCH is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where a variety of backgrounds, cultures, orientations, ideas, and talents can flourish.
• SEARCH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• SEARCH is an Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.
• Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory verification of criminal, education, driving, and/or employment background checks as well as passing results from a pre-employment drug screen.
• We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or, if requested, to participate in an interview, please let us know.

SEARCH Compensation and Benefits include:

• Competitive Salary
• Per Diem (for overnight travel)
• SEARCH-subsidized Group Health Insurance (including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage)
• SEARCH-provided Short-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Long-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Group Term Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Generous 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays (10)
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Merit-Based Raises, Bonuses, and Promotions
  
  

About SEARCH:

Overland and underwater, SEARCH is an archaeology firm that deploys the full spectrum of cultural heritage services worldwide. SEARCH2O, its maritime program, is at the forefront of historic shipwreck and submerged pre-contact archaeology, paleolandscape reconstruction, and deep-water archaeology. SEARCH’s staff are cultural resources industry leaders, pioneers, and subject matter experts across 45 Market, Regional, and Research Sectors. Since 1993, SEARCH has completed more than 5,000 commercial and government projects in 48 US states, 6 US territories, and 39 countries spanning 7 continents and 4 oceans. By integrating science, technology, and creativity, SEARCH harnesses the power of the past to advance the projects, places, and people it serves. 

For more information about SEARCH, please visit searchinc.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.      

Please send all inquiries and writing samples to jorge.quintana@searchinc.com. Include the Job Posting code (SAHS_2024) in the subject line of your email.