Deputy Director of Preservation Programs Position #DHR00090
(Historian/Archaeologist & Preservation Manager III)
Pay band 7 -   Maximum Hiring Range Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000
Location: 2801 Kensington Ave., Richmond, VA 2322

Position Description: The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Virginia. As the SHPO, DHR administers a number of federal programs. DHR is also a state agency in the Natural and Historic Resources Secretariat. DHR fosters, encourages, and supports the stewardship and use of Virginia’s significant architectural, archaeological, and historic resources as valuable assets for the economic, educational, social, and cultural benefit of citizens and communities. Located in Richmond’s Museum District, DHR offers a learning environment that allows individuals to thrive in their careers, opportunities for professional training, and telework options. The Department of Historic Resources is seeking a proven professional to serve as the Deputy Director of Preservation Programs, providing leadership and supervisory oversight to five out of six agency divisions responsible for administration of all federal and state preservation programs. The Deputy Director of Preservation Programs works collaboratively with the agency Executive Director and other Deputy Directors to achieve the highest caliber of program administration, to document and preserve the full breadth of Virginia’s historic resources, to maximize the impact of the agency’s budget and to maintain the Virginia SHPO’s reputation as a national leader in the field of historic preservation. This position provides strategic direction for the development of agency work plan, policies, priorities, and legislative and budget initiatives. This position participates in the recruitment and performance management of program staff, with the goal of attracting and retaining highly qualified and experienced preservation professionals and supporting their professional development. The Deputy Director of Preservation Programs position will ensure that Virginia’s preservation programs meet the mandates of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Code of Virginia, the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant, associated federal and state regulations and the agency’s strategic and comprehensive plans. In this role, the Deputy engages in external communication and relationships with state and federal partners, the sovereign nations and tribes, developers, communities, and a wide range of other preservation partners. Evaluates and helps to shape preservation public policy, including legislation, regulations, and procedures. Develops and implements the agency’s comprehensive, statewide historic preservation planning process. The Deputy Director of Preservation Programs will provide leadership, support, technical guidance and direct supervision to the State Historic Preservation Office staff in carrying out the office's responsibilities under state and federal law including: developing and maintaining strong preservation partnerships; improving and maintaining positive working relationships with local, state and federal agencies; overseeing the state and federal preservation programs; program oversight of a robust grant program; and providing outreach and education to constituents. This position serves as a lead contact with the National Park Service, Virginia’s Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources, Department of Planning & Budget, and Office of Regulatory Management. The Deputy Director of Preservation Programs will collaborate with other managers on strategic, organizational, and financial management matters; and serve as a lead member and convener of the agency’s management team in evaluating and resolving operational issues and making decisions. This position will represent the Commonwealth of Virginia’s historic preservation office to local, state, and federal officials, and at local, state, regional and national convening of industry related associations, conferences, and leadership groups; speak to public groups and at public events. while representing the historic preservation office to promote the agencies’ programs and goals on a statewide basis.

Qualifications Guide: The successful applicant will demonstrate extensive knowledge of the responsibilities and operations of a state historic preserva-tion office and knowledge and understanding of how state government works in Virginia. Expert working knowledge of the full range of state and federal preservation programs, guidelines, laws and regulations, and of the larger environmental review process within which these laws function is required. Experience interfacing with other state agencies and the agency’s preservation partners, including various local and federal agencies and with people with a diverse range of knowledge, skills, backgrounds, education and interests. The successful applicant has experience demonstrating advanced interpersonal and conflict management skills to negotiate, mediate, and collaborate with a wide variety of individuals and partners on sensitive and complex issues is required. Experience working with tribes is highly desirable. The successful applicant must have comprehensive knowledge of Virginia’s history, historic resources, and material culture and experience demonstrating the ability to apply technical and cultural management and planning principles and practices to the full range of complex preservation programs. The successful applicant must have working knowledge of the various Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and NPS guidance is required. The successful applicant has experience developing internal policies and procedures for improving coordination of processes and keep staff informed of management goals and objectives, revised procedures, methods, and work changes. Substantive and broad administrative experience, including the development of budgets, policies, legislation, work plans, and hiring and performance management is required. Experience demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively in writing, orally, and in public forums; to establish effective working relationships with agency staff and partnerships with individuals and organizations outside the agency is required. The Deputy Director of Preservation Programs will provide effective and timely review of work by others; plan and prioritize work to meet agency’s goals and objectives; develop short- and long-term objectives; and establish and meet priorities and deadlines. The successful applicant must have experience demonstrating the ability to effectively provide strong leadership and mentoring to professional staff. Prior work experience in Virginia state government is required.

Additional Considerations: Knowledge of and experience with best practices in archaeological collections management and research is strongly preferred. A Master's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural/Heritage Resource Management, Native American Studies, or a related field is preferred. Experience in tribal consultation practices and processes and the repatriation process is preferred. Knowledge of Virginia Indigenous archaeology and Tribal history is strongly preferred. Experience working with tribes is highly desirable.

The selected candidate will be required to complete a criminal background check as a condition of employment. A valid driver's license is required.

Application Requirements: To be considered for this position a state application must be received through the on-line employment system at http://jobs.virginia.gov/.

EOE: Women, Minorities, Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants in order to provide access to the application and/or interview process.