Texas Historical Commission (THC)
Position Title: Project Reviewer, Courthouse Preservation Program
Classification Title: Environmental Protection Specialist III/IV or Architect I/II
Salary:
$4,800.00-$5,400.00, Environmental Protection Specialist III
$5,400.00-$5,800.00, Environment Protection Specialist IV
$5,200.00-$5,900.00, Architect I
$6,000.00-$7,000.00, Architect II
JOB OBJECTIVE: Preserve and protect county courthouses across Texas as part of the Division of Architecture’s renowned Courthouse Preservation Program. As part of a six-member team, provide technical assistance and project reviews in a range of settings to varied audiences by way of written and verbal communication. Partner with counties and consultants to advise on best preservation practices, construction processes, and maintenance planning.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Serve as a project reviewer for the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). Administer grant-funded architectural construction and planning projects for compliance with the program statute, rules, and grant manual. Perform architectural review work in an office and field setting.
- Review proposals for changes to historic courthouses for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties under the state laws protecting courthouses, the Antiquities Code of Texas, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation, and preservation easements.
- Review and provide comments on preservation master plans, historic structures reports, paint and finish analyses, structural assessments, project completion reports, and grant applications. Use these documents to inform courthouse preservation project review with a primary focus on Restoration Treatment under the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
- Review and provide comments on attachments to grant contracts and preservation easements, construction budgets, change orders, grant fund reimbursement requests, project submittals, mockups, and progress meeting minutes.
- Perform research using historic photographs and documents, including onsite investigations, as part of the courthouse preservation planning process. Research historic construction and finish materials.
- Meet with property owners, architects/consultants, government officials, and contractors on site as necessary to assess building conditions and understand the programmatic requirements, applicable building codes, and other factors that may impact the building’s preservation.
- Participate in monthly on-site progress meetings for grant-funded construction projects.
- Monitor and provide condition assessments of courthouses protected by preservation easements.
- Coordinate with other Texas Historical Commission (THC) staff, divisions, and programs to preserve historic courthouses.
- Prepare reports and recommendations for courthouse preservation, repair, and maintenance.
- Develop and conduct training sessions to educate county facilities managers and county officials on best practices for courthouse preservation and facility management.
- Offer technical assistance and guidance on cyclical courthouse maintenance and repair.
- Work with the program specialist to process grant paperwork for the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) and maintain site visit reports, work logs, digital project files, and program databases.
- Present programmatic information to agency staff, architects/consultants, property owners, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public.
- Work collaboratively with THC’s History Programs Division, Archeology Division, and the Community Heritage Development Division.
- Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
- Adhere to an established work schedule with regular attendance.
- Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS (The application must specifically state how each of the following qualifications are met):
- Graduation with a professional architecture degree (Bachelor or Master of Architecture) from an NAAB-accredited college or university (or a comparable, internationally accredited professional architecture degree) with coursework in historic preservation;
- Minimum two years’ full-time professional experience in historic preservation, including review or creation of detailed investigations of historic structures, historic architectural research, and production or review of construction drawings and specifications for preservation projects;
- Experience with architectural procedures, including in-depth application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;
- Demonstrated public speaking and writing skills;
- Possession of a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
- Availability to travel up to the required 20% of the work period.
PREFER:
- Five or more years of full-time professional experience in historic preservation, including in-depth administration of historic restoration planning and construction projects;
- Graduate degree in architecture, historic preservation, American architectural history, preservation planning, or a closely related field;
- Experience administering commercial-scale construction projects;
- Experience applying best practices in historic facility maintenance;
- Experience applying local, state, and federal laws related to the protection of historic structures;
- Experience working in partnership with elected and appointed officials;
- Experience in regulatory review related to easement monitoring and management;
- Experience in records management for large programs or organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of architectural principles, techniques, and procedures;
- Knowledge of historic and modern building materials and construction methods;
- Knowledge of state and federal laws related to historic preservation;
- Knowledge of building codes, accessible design, and sustainability;
- Skill in interpreting architectural construction drawings and specifications;
- Skill in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers;
- Skill in operating a personal computer with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software;
- Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts;
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail;
- Ability to explain complex issues in a clear and concise manner through written and verbal communication;
- Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions;
- Ability to adapt successfully to change while continuing to deliver quality results in a timely manner;
- Ability to plan, organize, and work independently within the framework of a diverse team environment with cooperative decision-making;
- Ability to communicate with others using sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy;
- Ability to work in partnership with government officials;
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and
- Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE:
- Must have or obtain a valid Driver’s License and Defensive Driving Course to be able to operate state vehicles.
- If applying as an architect, you must hold an active architectural license with the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) or hold an active architectural license with TBAE within six months of hire.
ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: This position is housed in a state building near the state capitol in Austin and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. In addition to office work, duties will include evaluating historic structures, which may involve entering attics, crawlspaces, and other dark, damp, or confined spaces, as well as climbing ladders, using boom lifts, and walking on roofs. Work may involve extended periods working outdoors in hot or cold conditions. Work includes visiting active construction sites where loud noises, dust, and uneven walking surfaces may be encountered. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking, standing, pulling and pushing, kneeling, stooping, and bending, performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination, and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Applicants must be willing to travel, and overnight travel is often required. This position attends and sometimes presents at conferences, meetings, and workshops, requiring evening and weekend work hours.
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