Historic Preservation Specialists

The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) is seeking a Historic Preservation Specialist for a term-limited position to assist the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program (NPS ABPP) by serving as a liaison to partners applying for and successfully completing Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants.

The NPS ABPP promotes the preservation of significant historic battlefields associated with wars on American soil through technical and financial assistance to Federal, state, tribal, and other local governments as well as academic and nonprofit partners. The NPS awards Land and Water Conservation Funds through the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant (BLAG) opportunity to assist state and local government grant recipients and private nonprofit sub-recipients in preserving battlefields. BLAGs provide for the acquisition of fee-simple or permanent protective (easement) interests of eligible battlefield lands and require the execution of preservation easements to ensure the protection of acquired historic properties in perpetuity. Applications are reviewed and qualified grants awarded on a rolling basis, prioritizing significant and/or threatened properties.

The Historic Preservation Specialist will facilitate the development of tools and aids for applicants and potential applicants, many of whom are not preservation professionals, to complete successful applications for these grants and to develop sustainable preservation management strategies for the acquired properties. They will also assist applicants and program staff in developing easements and fulfilling NPS’s Section 106 compliance requirements, as outlined in the NPS ABPP’s Programmatic Agreement. They may also work with NPS ABPP staff to identify underserved communities and underrepresented properties for potential acquisition grants.

Specific tasks include:

• Assist program staff in advising grantees and easement holders regarding the preparation, execution, and monitoring of easements; review approved templates, correspondence and checklists intended to guide grantees in fulfillment of grant agreement responsibilities;
• Assist program staff in advising BLAG applicants and sub-applicants with Section 106 compliance and consultation requirements outlined in the NPS ABPP Programmatic Agreement;
• Support the creation of “best practice” documents to assist applicants in preparation and submission of required materials for NPS review;
• Draft process maps/diagrams for program staff to clarify roles, responsibilities, and timelines outlined in the NPS ABPP Programmatic Agreement regarding Section 106 consultation;
• Assist program staff with partner and public outreach, developing content for ABPP website, and social media.

Although a NCSHPO employee, the Historic Preservation Specialist will report to the ABPP program manager, who serves as technical supervisor for all assignments. Work is normally sedentary and conducted in an office environment in collaboration with program staff. Assignments often involve contact with historic preservation organizations, local governments, and NPS staff and officials. Work is conducted during core business hours; telework and part-time work may be approved, if appropriate.  The number of hours available will depend upon final pay, with the option to extend the work if additional funds become available.