Job: PLNYS - Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs

THE POSITION:

The Preservation League is seeking an experienced preservation professional who will serve as the League's primary field services staff person for Eastern New York, New York City and Long Island. This is a senior position at the League that requires a trained preservation professional with extensive knowledge of historic preservation theory and practice. The Regional Director will work directly with local communities, organizations, individuals and elected officials on all aspects of historic preservation and community development. The Director will also manage established League grant and assistance programs in their territory. This position reports to the Preservation League's President and works in tandem with the Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs for Western and Central New York. This is a full-time position located in Albany, New York and requires regular travel within the territory.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• A degree in historic preservation or a closely related field; graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the historic preservation field.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical preservation assistance to individuals, organizations and municipalities seeking creative solutions to preservation challenges.
• Advise and assist local and regional preservation organizations and citizen groups on strategies to increase their effectiveness.
• Identify statewide and regional preservation challenges and develop tools, programs, and workshops, to address them.
• Administer key League programs including the Preserve New York Grant Program, the Seven to Save Endangered Properties Program and the Preservation Colleagues Program that provides training to preservation groups.
  

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Ability to work constructively as part of a team.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Confident public speaking skills.
• A solid understanding of historic preservation principles and practices.
• Strong computer skills.

THE ORGANIZATION:

The Preservation League of New York State is the
private, not-for-profit, statewide advocate dedicated to the
protection of New York's diverse and rich heritage of historic
buildings, districts, and landscapes. Founded in 1974, the League
gives voice to New York's historic resources. We partner with public
and private organizations, agencies, and individuals in communities
throughout the Empire State who are working to ensure the future of
their historic resources. The League advances effective public
policies, provides expert legal and technical assistance, targets
grants to local communities, builds the capacity of local preservation
groups, and focuses public attention on threatened properties.

CONTACT:

Send cover letter, resume, and the names of three
references by Monday, July 9th to:
Regional Director Search
Preservation League of NYS
44 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
Tel: 518-462-5658 ext 13, www.preservenys.org

Historic Preservation Employment

Many thanks to Elisabeth Bakker Johnson (BCon '02) for forwarding the following job announcements from The Louis Berger Group, Inc. and Mount Ida Press (both positions will be in Albany, New York):

Cultural Resource Division, The Louis Berger Group (Experienced Architectural Historian)

The Cultural Resource Division of The Louis Berger Group, Inc., (Berger), solicits applications for the position of Architectural Historian in our office in Albany, New York. This office primarily serves upstate New York and New England.

For this position, we seek a highly motivated and experienced individual to pursue quality historical architectural research in a cultural resource management context. Responsibilities will include historical research, architectural resource field survey, NRHP evaluations, effects assessments pursuant to 36 CFR 800, HABS/HAER-level documentation, and report writing. The position requires extensive travel for project assignments.

M.A. in Architectural History, History, or Historic Preservation plus excellent research and writing skills are required. Candidates must have at least three years professional experience in field survey and National Register evaluation of architectural resources in New England, preferably in the context of Section 106 compliance. Experience in interpretation and evaluation of engineering/industrial and military resources is desirable.

A preferred candidate will have working familiarity with Federal laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines governing cultural resources. Ability to communicate directly with a variety of clients in the public and private sector is a necessity as is the ability to work both on own initiative and as part of a team with other cultural resource professionals in the company. Applicants must have demonstrated ability to meet budget and schedule requirements. Prior experience with proposal writing and client interaction strongly desired.

We offer a competitive salary, negotiable based on experience. Full benefits package includes vacation, sick leave, holidays, medical/dental (free to employee), life/disability insurance, and 401K. This is a full-time, salaried position in one of the company’s primary offices, not a project appointment. The successful applicant must be willing to relocate to Albany and will be expected to travel for project assignments. Telecommuter options are not available for this position.

Submit résumé with references, a letter of interest, and a writing sample to:

Hope E. Luhman, Ph.D.
The Louis Berger Group, Inc.
20 Corporate Woods Blvd.
Albany, New York 12211
hluhman@louisberger.com

Mount Ida Press (Historical Research Associate)

Mount Ida Press is seeking an historical research associate to conduct documentary research and prepare written reports on landmark buildings and to assist with publications on architecture and history. Our award-winning projects include books and a quarterly magazine on historic preservation. Founded in 1985, we are a small, fast-paced company located in Albany, New York.

Excellent historical research skills (both in libraries and on the Internet) and outstanding writing skills are required. Most research projects will deal with the construction of nationally significant historic buildings and the people associated with them. Experience using original source materials, such as manuscript collections, is highly desirable. Experience preparing historic-structure reports, familiarity with historic-preservation principles and policies, and an interest in regional history are preferred. A love of books would be a plus. The ability to travel to libraries and archives in the Northeast is preferred.

Candidates must be able to develop project schedules, manage multiple priorities and projects, and meet deadlines. Candidates must be detail oriented and have strong organizational, word-processing, and communication skills. The ability to work well with staff at other organizations and with consultants is important.

Other duties will include assisting with copyediting and proofreading of Mount Ida Press publications, preparing correspondence, maintaining research files and databases, and assisting with marketing. The person in this position will also coordinate advertising and peer reviews for the quarterly magazine.

An academic background in history, architectural or art history, American studies, historic preservation, or English is strongly preferred. A bachelor’s degree and professional work experience are required; a master’s degree would be an asset. We offer an attractive benefits package. Salary level will be based upon skills and experience.

Please mail or email your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are right for the job; please also send a short research paper that demonstrates your research and writing skills (please do not send any illustrations by email). Send to Diana S. Waite, President, Mount Ida Press, 152 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210, or to info@mountidapress.com.

Landmark Society of Western New York Seeks Program Coordinator

The Landmark Society of Western New York seeks a Program Coordinator for its Preservation Services Division. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the membership-based organization serves a 9-county service region and is recognized as a regional and statewide leader while advancing its mission of education and advocacy for historic resources.

Duties:
Direct and manage Home Room Program: a partnership program marketing urban historic real estate; coordinate Inside Downtown Rochester Tour; provide full regulatory and technical assistance to public; manage contractor inquiries; staff internal and community committees; serve as preservation board advisor; liaison to local/state planning agencies; assist organizing annual preservation conference and other LSWNY events and activities; develop Web and newsletter communications; innovate new programming.

Qualifications:
B.A., preservation planning, architecture, urban planning or landscape architecture; masters preferred; five years experience in preservation planning with familiarity with preservation issues, regulations and standards; knowledgeable about community affairs and planning; administrative supervisory experience; strong verbal and writing skills.

Send cover letter, resume and three references to Joanne Arany, Executive Director, Landmark Society of Western New York, 133 S. Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608, or email to mail@landmarksociety.org. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted through 3/30/07.

The organization is also seeking to hire a Summer Camp Lead Teacher and a Commissioned Sales Person. Click links for more information.

Employment: Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Seeking Outreach and Communications Director

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is hiring an Outreach and Communications Director. If you know of interested and qualified candidates, please forward this message on to them. Information about the ECNHC, as well as the position description and application instructions, are available on the ECNHC website: www.eriecanalway.gov (check the web site before applying as the information below is summarized from a more complete position description).

A summary of the outreach and communications director's responsibilities includes developing and implementing an overall communications and outreach strategy in support of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Program; working closely with the Erie Canalway Executive Director, staff, and consultants to produce communications materials that will engage and inform various internal and external audiences, including the media, about the numerous activities and programs of the Erie Canalway NHC; and taking lead responsibility for designing and maintaining the Erie Canalway NHC website.

Desired skills and experience includes:

- 3-5 or more years of experience in marketing, communications, or public relations
- Strong computer skills including experience with graphic design, desktop publishing, website maintenance, and database/communications software
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal skills including public speaking experience
- Ability to work with Erie Canalway staff and partners to incorporate and highlight programmatic work into a communications strategy
- Knowledge of and interest in history and heritage development preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related discipline

Qualified candidates should send cover letter, resume, writing/work samples to beth_sciumeca[AT]nps[DOT]gov or to Beth Sciumeca; Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; P.O. Box 219; Waterford, NY 12188. Please no phone calls. Closing date for receipt of applications is February 16, 2007 or until position is filled.

Employment, Blog News

Thanks to Elisabeth Bakker Johnson (BCon '02), for sending along three new job announcements today (please note we have not provided all information about job description, qualifications, etc. and therefore, follow up accordingly with appropriate people as described below):

-- The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH is hiring a Manager of Public Programs to develop and implement a varied schedule of public programs for adults and families based on the museum collections and special exhibitions. The museum is currently undergoing an expansion to increase gallery and public programming spaces. The Manager of Public Programs is responsible for working with cross-departmental museum staff, volunteers, and public stakeholders to develop interpretive programs using these new facilities that attract new and repeat visitors and enrich their museum experience. Qualifications: M.A. in Art History, museum education, or a related field, and experience developing creative museum programs. Excellent organizational and writing skills necessary. Fluency in a second language preferred but not required. Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for programs. Please inquire for a complete job descriptions. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Leah Fox, Director of Public Programs, Currier Museum of Art, 201 Myrtle Way, Manchester, NH 03104, lfox@currier.org.

-- The Trustees of Reservations is seeking a Farm Educator for Appleton Farm in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Appleton Farms is the oldest continuously operated farm in the nation and one of the largest remaining farms in Massachusetts. The property consists of 500 acres of agricultural land, 400 acres of woodland and the remainder designed landscape. The farm, which is open to the public, contains historic structures and landscapes, prime agricultural land as well as a wide diversity of natural features including forests, fields, wetlands and wildlife. The Farm Educator develops and implements site-based interpretation and education programs at Appleton Farms; the job encompasses a variety of tasks related to public interpretation and education of the agricultural, natural and cultural resources of Appleton Farms. For more information about qualifications, work experience, responsibilities, work benefits, schedule and salary, please contact: Peter Money, Northeast Region Education Manager, TTOR, 572 Essex Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, pmoney@ttor.org.

-- The Trustees of Reservations is seeking applicants for the seasonal (April - October) part-time position of Historic Site Assistant at The Old Manse, a National Historic Landmark in Concord, Massachusetts. This position is expected to start in April 2007. The Historic Site Assistant works closely with the Historic Site Manager in administering the operations at The Old Manse. There are four main components to this position, all of which involve working in conjunction with other staff: publicity and events coordination (posting flyers, sending press releases, and assisting with special events); bookstore management (placing orders for and re-stocking the small bookstore); head Historic Site Interpreter (scheduling guides, filling in where needed); collections management (cleaning and caring for the house and its objects). For more information or to apply, please contact, or send cover letter and resume to: Deborah Kreiser-Francis, Historic Site Manager, The Old Manse, P.O. Box 572, Concord, MA, 01742, dkreiserfrancis@ttor.org, (978) 369-3909.

Many thanks, too, to the Landmarks Society of Western New York, which included a description and link to our blog in the news section on their home page. If you are in the Rochester/Western New York region, you should consider becoming a member and getting involved in their advocacy efforts, tours, and wide range of activities. This spring, selected activities include (check the LSWNY web site for more information, ticket sales, and additional events/activities):

-- January 19-21, Rochester Downtown Design Charette (follow up January 26)

-- February 9, Walk the Walk: Encounters with Rochesters African American Ancestors


-- May 18, architectural tour of Buffalo.

-- May 20-23, tour of Victorian Cape May, New Jersey.

Historic Preservation Jobs (New York)

Thanks to Building Conservation alumna Elisabeth Bakker-Johnson ('02), Lorraine Weiss of the Preservation League of NYS, and Kim Alvarez of Landmark Consulting and the Capital Region Preservation Network, we have recently learned of two New York-based preservation job openings that may be of interest to students, alumni, and other readers:

1. Historic Albany Foundation, a preservation nonprofit in Albany, NY, is seeking a part-time Technical Services Coordinator to provide technical services, develop programming, and administer and work on projects in the City of Albany. The Technical Services Coordinator reports to the Executive Director. Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree, Masters (preferred) in historic preservation, architectural history, or architecture with preservation experience; 3-5 years of practical experience in historic preservation can be substituted. Excellent communication skills and previous experience with the public; technical background a must. Salary based on 20 hours per week; pro-rated benefits. Position open until filled. Interested candidates should send a resume with references to sholland@historic-albany.org; fax (518) 463-2704 or via mail: HAF, 472 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. See Historic Albany Foundation for full job ad.

2. Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the regional, nonprofit, historic preservation organization for the Adirondack Park, is seeking a Program Director who will work in conjunction with other AARCH staff and appropriate board committee members. Applicants should have: degree in historic preservation or a closely related field; graduate degree preferred; two years experience in the historic preservation field; program experience is preferred; a demonstrated ability to plan, administer, and execute complex programs with great attention to detail; excellent writing, research, and communication skills; knowledge of Adirondack history and architecture is desirable; computer skills are required. For more information, contact Steven Engelhart, Executive Director, (518) 834-9328, steven@aarch.org and visit the Adirondack Architectural Heritage website.