Are you a preservation professional with a passion for education, outreach, and collaboration? Do you want to join a team of dedicated preservationists, historians, archaeologists, and planners working with people and organizations across the Commonwealth? If you have the experience and training to be a Historic Preservation Specialist – Education & Special Initiatives Coordinator, we have the job for you!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity! PA SHPO can now work from home except for days when you’ll be out visiting Pennsylvania’s historic places and one day a month in the office with your colleagues in Harrisburg.
Apply today through 6/18/2025 to become an essential part of our team where you will play a vital role in our mission to discover, protect, and share Pennsylvania’s past, inspiring others to value and use our history in meaningful ways.
Description of Work
This professional position within the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO), a bureau of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (Commission), is responsible for managing a variety of activities to help achieve the goals of Pennsylvania’s statewide historic preservation plan, the PA SHPO’s Education & Training Program Strategic Plan, and PA SHPO priorities. The Education & Special Initiatives Coordinator is responsible for the management and coordination of PA SHPO’s communications, education, and special initiatives activities that incorporate the public and partners with the work of the PA SHPO and historic preservation. This position also works closely with PA SHPO’s divisions to improve data quality, complete annual priorities, prepare and disseminate information for the public, and historic resource recordation and documentation.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the job posting and position description.
Required Experience, Training & Eligibility
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements
- Two or more years of experience working on an architectural survey, an architectural restoration and preservation project or program, and a bachelor’s degree in architectural history, American history, art history or course work in Pennsylvania history; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
Additional Requirements
- You must be willing and able to work in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when necessary.
- You must meet or exceed the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards.
- You must possess 6 or more months of experience working with blog and newsletter platforms: Demonstrable experience using technology and software applications to manage blog content, mailing lists, and email campaigns, such as WordPress and MailChimp.
- You must possess 6 or more months of experience working with GIS systems: Demonstrable experience using technology and software applications to manage historic resource data, workflows, and workload, including Esri HUB and ArcGIS.
- You must possess 6 or more months of experience using MS Office products and data management systems, preferably PA-SHARE.
- You must possess 6 or more months of experience with historic preservation programs: Demonstrable experience in the processes of the National Register of Historic Places and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
- You must possess 6 or more months of experience with public programs and presentations: Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing public outreach programs, conducting preservation education and public speaking.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Preferred Qualifications (not required)
- A college degree in one of the following fields: architectural history, American history, archaeology, geography / geographic information systems
- Completed coursework in Pennsylvania history and/or architectural history
- Experience working on an architectural survey, an architectural restoration, or a preservation project or program
- Experience working within a team of individuals and independently
- Experience interpreting and applying National Park Service guidance with regards to the evaluation of historic properties for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places
- Experience applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
- Knowledge of current education and communication technologies and their effective application for historic preservation education and outreach
The commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
Work Schedule and Additional Information
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. You will be required to report to work 1 day per month in the Harrisburg office, in addition to conducting site visits and field work. Specific telework schedule will be determined according to bureau needs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
How to Apply
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
For complete position description, salary, and benefits information, check the job posting and position description.
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