Assistant Staff Historian

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for an Assistant Staff Historian in Houston, TX to support aboveground historic resources projects in the South Central/Gulf Coast Subregion.

This is a part-time, temporary job opportunity with flexible schedule and opportunities for conversion to a permanent, full-time position. Preference will be given to local candidates.

What you will accomplish

You will provide assistance to technical studies in support of various historic resource evaluations and nominations, Secretary of the Interior's Standards project review, and preservation planning and policy projects.

• Assist in the preparation of technical reports and historic evaluations with a focus on historic preservation tax credit projects.
• Conduct archival, informant, and background research for National Register of Historic Places nominations.
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork.
• Communicate regularly with the Project Manager or Task Manager to ensure that a project’s budgetary and timetable needs are met.
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Maintain SWCA’s high standard of technical ethics and quality assurance and is motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.
• Write deliverable sections under direction.
• Perform basic data synthesis and analysis.
• Perform research and literature reviews.
• Complete individual tasks of medium complexity or duration with oversight.
• Troubleshoot routine problems independently.

Experience and qualifications for success

Basic qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in History, Architectural History, Historic Preservation or a closely related field, such as Museum Studies or Anthropology.
• Experience conducting research through digital and archival repositories.
• Experience writing synthesized narratives of people, places, and events.
• Experience working on and/or willingness to learn about the histories of historically excluded communities.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about US architectural history, architectural terminology, and governing state and federal regulations.
• Located near one of SWCA's South Central or Gulf Coast regional offices.
• Comfortability with visiting active construction sites while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Experience with or willingness to learn Adobe InDesign.
• Have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive on behalf of SWCA.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or previous enrollment in a graduate program for public history, historic preservation, architectural history, or related topic.
• Knowledge of the history in Texas and/or Louisiana.
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
• Ability to perform occasional overnight travel with notice. SWCA anticipates no more than 50% travel, and likely closer to 25%.
• Experience with application of the National Register of Historic Places Criteria for Evaluation.

Additional Information:

• SWCA anticipates assigning at least 20 hours of work weekly to this position.
• Supervisor is flexible about the successful applicant’s daily/weekly schedule.
• SWCA will assign work to this position as available.

If you are seeking an opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions, then SWCA will be a great fit for you!

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please email accomodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Houston, TX-based position can expect an hourly pay rateof $22.05–$28.35/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply

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Seniority Level

Entry level

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