Senior Historian

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin is seeking a Senior Historian in Atlanta, GA, to conduct historic resource surveys and prepare environmental documents for various projects. The role involves outdoor work, limited travel, and requires strong communication and organizational skills. Responsibilities include managing cultural resource evaluations, coordinating historic preservation reviews, and supporting project management and compliance services. A Master's degree and 5+ years of relevant experience are required.
About the position

VHB's Environmental Resources Group in Atlanta is seeking a Senior Historian to work with our expanding cultural resources group. This role is pivotal in conducting historic resource surveys and preparing environmental and planning-related documents for various projects, including transportation, planning, and land development. The Senior Historian will engage in periodic outdoor work and may require limited travel. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as the ideal candidate must be detail-oriented and capable of effectively conveying technical information. Organizational skills are crucial, as the candidate will need to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and collaborate within a team environment. The responsibilities of the Senior Historian include conducting and managing cultural resource identification and evaluation surveys for both public and private sector clients. The role also involves coordinating Section 106 and other applicable federal, state, and local historic preservation reviews for transportation and land development projects. The Senior Historian will provide technical fulfillment for cultural resource components of environmental and planning-related documents, which includes resource identification and assessment of project-related impacts. Additionally, the candidate will assist the Practice Area Leader in consultation and negotiation with State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), government officials, and consulting parties. Managing the completion of history-related tasks, including the coordination and completion of surveys and effect assessments, is also a key responsibility. Furthermore, the Senior Historian will support other VHB departments and regional offices with historic preservation planning, site history research, and compliance services. The role includes assisting in scoping, managing, tracking projects, preparing proposals, and marketing group services both within and outside VHB. This position offers an opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects while contributing to the community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards.

Responsibilities
• Conduct and manage cultural resource identification and evaluation surveys for public and private sector clients
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• Coordinate Section 106 and other applicable federal, state, and local historic preservation reviews for transportation and land development projects
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• Provide technical fulfillment for cultural resource components of environmental and planning-related documents, including resource identification and assessment of project-related impacts
,
• Assist Practice Area Leader in consultation and negotiation with SHPOs, government officials, and consulting parties
,
• Manage the completion of history-related tasks, including the coordination and completion of surveys and effect assessments
,
• Support other VHB departments and regional offices with historic preservation planning, site history research, and compliance services
,
• Assist in scoping, managing, tracking projects, preparing proposals, and marketing group services within and outside VHB

Requirements
• 5+ years of planning and compliance experience
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• A Master's degree in Architectural History, Historic Preservation Planning, or closely related discipline (e.g., Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Urban Design/Studies, Regional Planning, Sustainability Planning, Economics, Aviation, Civil Engineering, Urban Transportation Planning)
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• Secretary of the Interior Standards Qualified (SOI Qualified)
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• Proficiency in MS Office suite, Google Earth, and GIS software is required
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• A valid driver's license is required

Nice-to-haves
• Must meet the Secretary of the Interior's professional qualifications
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• Knowledge of federal and state cultural resource and historic preservation statutes and regulations, including Section 106 and National Register criteria is required
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• Excellent research, writing, editing, and photographic abilities
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• Experience with building research, and knowledge of architectural styles, forms, building materials, and periods of development
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• Knowledge of the history and architecture of Georgia
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• Familiarity with existing context studies in Georgia is preferred (Georgia's Living Places, The Ranch house in Georgia, Tilling the Earth)
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• Experience in preparing Section 106 documentation for the Georgia SHPO and/or the Georgia Department of Transportation is strongly preferred
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• Ability to read and interpret aerial photography and maps, including construction and right-of-way plans

Benefits
• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
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• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
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• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
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• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
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• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace