OPEN DATE: May 15, 2025           
CLOSING DATE: May 31, 2025                   
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
PROMOTION: Potential
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 
COMPENSATION: $101,401 – $131,826 / year

For additional details as well as a link to the application, please visit the listing at the Smithsonian Trust Careers Portal.

OVERVIEW

The position is located in the office of Architectural History and Historic Preservation (AHHP), Office of Planning, Design, and Construction, Office of Under Secretary for Finance & Administration, Under Secretary for Administration at the Smithsonian Institution (SI).

AHHP is responsible for implementing the policies on preservation that impact historic properties undergoing major renovation, restoration or new construction. AHHP provides extensive guidance to Smithsonian staff through all stages of design development and construction. AHHP serves as a resource for education, training, publications and guidance on history and preservation both within the Smithsonian and to the broader preservation community nationally and internationally. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Office of Architectural History and Historic Preservation (AHHP), is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the Historic Preservation Specialist position responsible for independently:

• Assists with Smithsonian project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and federal agency design review.
• Writes documents or presents publicly. Research, documents, and evaluates complex projects for purposes of avoiding, minimizing and mitigating potential adverse effects.
• Serves as a liaison on major projects with the public, State Historic Preservation Office, and other agency staff as required.
• Historic Preservation Policy. Applies historic preservation policy to Smithsonian design and construction projects.
• Under the supervision of the Associate Director, the incumbent is responsible for (1) participating in public and in-house meetings on complex project proposals, often involving diverse stakeholders interested in the outcome of publicly visible and controversial cases; (2) utilizing alternate dispute resolution techniques to mediate conflicts and to seek outcomes that balance project needs and preservation values; and, (3) participating in on-site meetings to assess historic properties and to explore alternatives that would avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties.
• Design Review and Construction Support. Reviews architectural plans, archival documents, and other documents to ensure that proposed work that will affect Smithsonian owned or leased facilities will be compliant with historic preservation policies.
• Participates in design review as an historic preservation subject matter expert in all stages of Smithsonian design projects.
• Provides field site visits to assist with the development of restoration work and conservation work.
• Research, Publications, and Outreach.
• Manages staff and public inquiries for advice and technical assistance on historic preservation issues. Researches the architectural history of the Smithsonian Institution buildings and grounds and current preservation methodology to assist in the design, construction, and stewardship of Smithsonian property.
• Publishes historic preservation information to the public through the Smithsonian’s various websites.
• Serves on professional boards or committees and attends regional, national or international professional conferences, symposia, workshops, exhibits, lectures and courses. Writes articles for Smithsonian webpages, scholarly journals, or other historic preservation related publications.