Project Architectural Historian

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Project Architectural Historian to support cultural resources projects in North Carolina and the Southeastern U.S. This full-time position offers flexibility for remote or hybrid work. Responsibilities include conducting historic resource surveys, leading projects, preparing technical reports, and ensuring compliance with preservation standards. Candidates should have relevant degrees and experience, with opportunities for collaboration nationally.
About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Architectural Historian to support cultural resources projects across North Carolina and the Southeastern United States. We are growing our Cultural Resources team and are looking for dynamic professionals with a passion for high-quality project work in both the field and office settings.

This is a regular, full-time position with benefits, offering flexibility to work either remotely or in a hybrid role based in our Raleigh office. Projects will primarily be located in the Southeastern U.S., with occasional opportunities to collaborate nationally with architectural historians from SWCA offices across the country. This opportunity is open to candidates in the Southeastern U.S.

This position is available at the following levels, depending on qualifications and experience:
• Assistant Project Architectural Historian – typically 3 years of experience
• Associate Project Architectural Historian – typically 5 years of experience

What you will accomplish
• Plan and conduct historic resource surveys of residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and institutional properties using tablet-based tools, digital photography, and established field methodologies.
• Conduct archival research utilizing primary and secondary sources to produce detailed historic narratives and context statements.
• Lead projects or key tasks from initiation through completion, serving as Project Manager on medium projects or Task Lead on larger efforts.
• Prepare a variety of technical reports, including technical memorandums, critical issues analyses, survey reports, historic context statements, and NRHP nominations. Experience with HABS/HAER/HALS documentation is a plus.
• Evaluate historic resources under National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria.
• Serve as a permitted field supervisor or Principal Investigator, as applicable.
• Assign and communicate technical responsibilities to project team members.
• Prepare defensible compliance documentation in support of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
• Support project management activities, including budgeting, scheduling, and staff coordination.
• Conduct reviews for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and National Park Service guidelines in support of federal, state, and local permitting.
• Uphold SWCA’s high standards for technical quality, ethical practices, and client service, while actively seeking creative solutions to project challenges.
• Independently manage architectural history and preservation projects, while also contributing to multi-disciplinary efforts led by other project managers.
• Take responsibility for field team safety, including preparing safety plans and identifying potential hazards in advance.

Experience and qualifications for success

Minimum Requirements:
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Architectural History by meeting one of the following educational and experience criteria:
• Holding a graduate degree in Historic Preservation, Public History, Heritage Conservation, History, Architectural History, or a closely related field;
OR
• Holding a bachelor’s degree in one of the above fields, plus one of the following:
• At least two (2) years of full-time professional experience with a recognized institution (e.g., academic, museum, cultural resource management firm, etc.); or
• A substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of history.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in cultural resources management as an architectural historian or similar.
• Working knowledge of federal and state historic preservation laws and guidelines, including Section 106 of the NHPA.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history and architectural styles of the Southern United States.
• Completion of American Architectural History coursework with familiarity in regional styles, materials, and forms.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver safety requirements.
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 35% of the time.

Preferred Qualification:
• Five (5) or more years of experience

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Raleigh, NC-based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $26.78 to $33.99/hr as an Assistant Project Architectural Historian and $29.87 to $38.11/hr as an Associate Project Architectural Historian. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

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