2G11
HISTORIC PRESERVATION SPECIALIST

This is technical and administrative conservation work related to identifying, preserving, restoring, and utilizing historical sites and buildings. An employee in this class performs historical preservation and archival research for the citywide park system, or for the Historical Commission. Work includes performing research on primary and secondary sources to accurately identify time periods of historical sites and structures and assisting other researchers studying Philadelphia history. Contact with the public, historical societies, educators and students is a significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of a technical superior.

1. This position must be responsible for historical preservation and archival research for the Citywide park system or for the Historical Commission.
2. One position for Fairmount Park and one position for the Historical Commission will be allocated to this class.

• Advises engineers, architects, contractors and others responsible for the restoration and rehabilitation of buildings and other structures; collaborates with engineering division personnel to prepare design specifications; recommends architects and contractors capable of restoration work; inspects historical sites to insure adherence to standards for preservation, restoration and rehabilitation; identifies construction peculiarities of different historical periods; recommends substitutions for materials no longer extant; locates sources of materials and instructs trade and maintenance personnel in work methods and techniques required for authentic effects.
• Undertakes research in primary and secondary sources to determine the date, history and significance of buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts; performs research related to detailing and other architectural features of historical sites; maintains archival records; visits various repositories of primary sources to study documents and photographs to determine the history of a site.
• Conducts tours and gives lectures on the history of sites and structures; assists students and other researchers in their studies of Philadelphia history; delivers written and oral presentations to professional and other organizations on architecture and the work of the Historical Commission or Fairmount Park.
• May direct the activities of subordinate professional staff members who process historic designation documents or perform other administrative functions related to preservation.
• Participates in meetings; makes recommendations and implement recommendations.
• Performs related work as required.

FOR THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION FUNCTION

• Prepares nomination forms for the Philadelphia and National Registers; writes reports on historic properties and related topics.
• Evaluates potential historic property tax incentives by on-site visits and document review; provides guidance concerning the utilization of federal, state and local tax incentive provisions, compliance with historic preservation legislation and regulations, and the preparation of appropriate application forms.

FOR THE PARK FUNCTION

• Acts as liaison in archaeological recovery projects concerning Park historical sites.
• Meets with maintenance and program personnel as well as interested individuals, community groups and organizations to advise and determine uses and programs appropriate to Park sites' historical significance.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• American history, with particular emphasis on Philadelphia history
• architectural styles, methods and materials as practiced and applied in an urban environment, particularly the 18th and 19th centuries
• sources, methods and techniques used in historical and architectural research
• architectural recovery method, if required by work assignment
• the proper care and storage of archival materials
• federal, state and local legislation and regulations related to historic preservation
• the methods, techniques, and materials used in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century residential construction
• curatorial methods and techniques
• inventory software systems as they pertain to historical data and collections management
• English usage and grammar
SKILL IN:
• the identification and classification of artifacts and historic buildings
ABILITY TO:
• perform detailed research in the field of American architecture as practiced in Philadelphia
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, individuals, and public and private groups
• express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• use a computer terminal keyboard

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in American history, American art history, or architectural history.
AND
EXPERIENCE
• Two years of experience researching the history and engaging in restoration of period American historical sites.

OR

Any combination of equivalent education and experience which has been determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department and which has included a bachelor’s degree as an educational minimum.

NOTE:

Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university with thesis work in some area of American architectural history may be substituted for one year of the experience requirements.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.