Are you passionate about preserving historic sites and structures? Sarasota County is a Certified Local Government looking for an expert in historic architecture or preservation planning who can coordinate and promote the county’s historic preservation programs. These programs include the Sarasota County Register of Historic Places, ad valorem tax exemptions for qualifying improvements to designated historic properties, and the county’s Historical Marker Program. The Historic Preservation Specialist also serves as a staff co-liaison to the Sarasota County Historic Preservation Board and the Sarasota County Historical Commission. The pay starts between $56,513.60 - $63,003.20, based on related experience, and benefits begin within 60 days of hire. Apply today and take the first step towards a stable career with multiple opportunities for growth/advancement!

About the Job
In this role, you will be responsible for...

Historic Preservation:

- Identify historic resources eligible for local and/or national designation through contracted surveys or in-house fieldwork.

- Coordinate the designation process for newly identified significant historic resources, including advising nominators on the process, reviewing submitted nominations for completeness and accuracy, making formal recommendations to the Historic Preservation Board, and documenting new designations in county systems.

- Coordinate the certificate of appropriateness process for managing alterations to designated historic properties. This includes advising property owners and their representatives (architects, engineers, contractors, attorneys, etc.) on the process, reviewing applications for completeness and compliance, conducting site visits when appropriate, formulating and submitting recommendations to the Historic Preservation Board, presenting those recommendations at monthly HPB meetings, and acting on the Board’s decisions.

- Advise property owners and their representatives regarding the county’s ad valorem tax exemption program, reviewing program applications for completeness and accuracy, formulating and submitting recommendations to the Historic Preservation Board and Board of County Commissioners, and acting on their decisions.

- Coordinate the county’s Historical Marker Program, including promoting the program, reviewing applications for new markers for completeness and accuracy, making recommendations to the Sarasota County Historical Commission, and processing approved applications.

- Help ensure the Division of Historical Resources’ compliance with Chapter 66 of the Sarasota County Code of Ordinances, as well as other applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

- Prepare reports and maintain records required by Sarasota County’s status as a Certified Local Government.

Customer Service/Outreach:

- Advise neighborhood organizations on historic preservation in community planning.

- Conduct outreach relating to historic preservation and the history of Sarasota County.

- Produce preservation-related content for exhibits and communications in collaboration with other Division staff.

- Assist with programs, exhibits, and special events hosted by the Division.

- Answer historical research inquiries received from the public in person or by communication.

Additional Duties:

- In collaboration with the Manager of the Division of Historical Resources:
Act as co-liaison to the Sarasota County Historic Preservation Board and the Sarasota County Historical Commission.

- Manage, review, write, and/or prepare grants, contracts and/or RFPs relating to preservation projects.

About the Schedule
Work Hours:
Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Occasional Saturdays are required, on a rotating basis.

About You
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Architecture, Historic Preservation, Architectural History, History or a related field and two (2) years of related work experience.
Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Architecture, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, Architectural History, History or a related field and four years experience.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.

About Everything Else
Starting Pay Range: $56,513.60 - $63,003.20, based on related experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:
Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.

Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 

Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.