The City of Tucson seeks a Historic Preservation Officer to protect Tucson’s cultural and historical resources, collaborate with stakeholders, and help tell our community’s unique story. This leadership position will be charged with building our historic preservation team, implementing new processes and promoting greater engagement with our community. 

Tucson has been continuously habited for nearly 2,000 years and has a wealth of archeological and architectural cultural resources that reflect our multi-faceted and multi-cultural history. The Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Tucson is responsible for the protection and preservation of these resources, as well as engaging with our community to raise awareness and understanding of our city’s rich history.  

The Historic Preservation Officer will be authorized to hire at least two full-time positions to the historic preservation team. These hires are expected to occur within the first six months of assuming this position. 

Apply now and be part of building a passionate, dedicated team that celebrates heritage, fosters equity, and promotes community stewardship of cultural resources.  

Job Summary: Promotes the historic preservation program, and administers City policies for the protection of cultural resources. Ensures that City activities comply with cultural resource laws and regulations. Provides information and technical assistance.

Job Description

The Historic Preservation Officer position at the City of Tucson’s Planning and Development Services Department coordinates, promotes, and implements the City’s Historic Preservation Program in collaboration with the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission (TPCHC) and in accordance with the City of Tucson Historic Preservation ordinance. This position reviews proposed developments for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for the protection of cultural resources. The Historic Preservation Officer also coordinates historic preservation projects, and assists other departments, governmental organizations and the public regarding historic preservation and archaeological resources.

Work is performed under the supervision of the Planning Administrator. This position exercises supervision over planning personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Develops and administers internal policies and procedures for the protection of cultural and historical resources. Provides guidance to staff, governmental officials, other city departments, boards and commissions, and regional, state, and national preservation agencies regarding historical preservation. Writes historical reports, documents findings, drafts ordinances and related materials.

- Serves as a staff liaison to the TPCHC. Coordinates with city departments, Pima County’s Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation division, Arizona’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Arizona State Museum, Army Corp of Engineers, tribal governments, City of Tucson neighborhoods, and other entities to preserve and protect historically built environments, archaeological resources, traditional cultural places, and historical attractions.

- Supervises historic preservation program staff and cultural resource consultants. Ensures compliance with City of Tucson Policies and procedures. Identifies and implements process improvements for historic preservation division. Supervises and coordinates the daily work of assigned personnel by establishing priorities, assigning work, monitoring progress, and providing training. Participates in the recruitment and hiring of employees. Makes recommendations on employee discipline and other personnel issues. Conducts regular performance evaluations, establishes goals and expectations, and provides feedback as needed. Reviews, approves, and oversees timecards, time off requests, and personnel actions for division.

- Ensures good standing with the SHPO and the National Park Service (NPS) as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by preserving, protecting and increasing awareness of heritage resources.

- Ensures that development activities, including private and public projects, within the City of Tucson comply with all federal, state, and local regulations for the protection of cultural resources including local historic preservation ordinances and policies, the Arizona Antiquities Act, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

- Reviews development applications and plans for compliance with NPS Historic Preservation Standards and Guidelines and other applicable regulations. Provides information to applicants on the application process for projects in historic districts. Communicates with property owners, designers and other parties involved in development projects to ensure compliance of regulations.

- Coordinates the review of historical relevant applications by Tucson’s Boards, Committees and Commissions (BCCs). Presents Historic Preservation Zone (HPZ) cases to advisory boards, TPCHC, Plans Review Subcommittee, and other review bodies. Utilizes online permit system to track case progress.

- Manages and participates in planning projects including historic surveys, general plan updates, neighborhood and corridor plans, and code updates. Maintains and updates inventories of historic properties.

- Engages with the community by attending public meetings to raise awareness and educate the public on cultural resources and historic preservation in Tucson while also collecting input. Promotes equity and inclusion in preservation practice.

- Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience: Three (3) years of directly related experience
Additional minimum qualifications:
Qualifications that meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards per Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61 in at least one of the listed disciplines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s in Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, Anthropology, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Archaeology or Related Field.
Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role.
Five (5) years of experience in Historic Preservation, Archaeology, Architecture, or Anthropology; and experience managing review of development projects for compliance with federal, state and local archaeological and historic preservation regulations.
Experience with Section 106 review, compliance with the Arizona Antiquities Act, Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and other federal, state, and local archaeological and historic preservation regulations.
Experience working with public boards, committees, or commissions.
Demonstrated skill in written and verbal communication.