Job Description
Terracon is hiring a Senior Architectural Historian to join our team in our Chicago, IL office!

This is a full-time position with a diverse team of professionals in our Environmental Planning Service Line. The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team including archaeologists, architectural historians, conservationists, ecologists, environmental scientists, engineers, and geotechnical professionals. The qualified candidate will have strong technical writing capabilities, must be able to write at a professional level, and present ideas in a well-thought out and comprehensive manner. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated individual with strong communication and practical experience to excel in a team environment. Opportunity to lead the Environmental Planning Group personnel and assist in program development expansion with emphasis on Architectural History.

General Responsibilities:
Performing historic resource evaluations and surveys in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for a variety of lead Federal agencies. Section 106 evaluations may include fieldwork (visually assessing and evaluating historic resources in the field, taking photographs, completing survey forms, and occasionally assisting other services lines with their fieldwork), resource and affect evaluations (technical writeups and evaluations in accordance with each agency’s preferred format), and report writing (technical report preparation, ranging from simple survey writeups to more detailed historical context studies). Job responsibilities may necessitate assisting other service lines with field studies and report writing, on occasion as needed. Responsible for providing senior oversight on technical projects, maintaining client and agency communications and satisfaction, and ensuring history work is performed to industry standards and quality.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Candidate should have a good understanding of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with accompanying guidelines; experience writing and reviewing nominations to the National Register of Historic Places as well as making recommendations on determination of eligibility and a working knowledge of ArcGIS mapping and associated field data collection applications (preferred).
• Solid knowledge of architectural types and styles especially in the Midwest, Central Plains, and Rocky Mountain Regions of the US.
• Ability to draft professional-quality documentation, consultation letters, and email is required.
• Solid client development experience with opportunity to partner with Program Manager for expansion of architectural history specializations.
• The candidate must be able to work independently or as a team and be able to handle a demanding work environment.
• Applicants must be able to travel to perform research, site visits, field related work and other events as needed.
• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
• Responsible for developing written proposals to clients for both small and large projects including quality control review of proposals written by others.
• Personnel management preferred
• Additional Knowledge or Experience:
  • Cultural Landscapes
  • Developing historic district guidelines
  • Focus in resiliency
  • African American History
  • Underrepresented/Underappreciated Communities

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture architectural history, history, historic preservation, planning cultural resource management, museum studies, or related field.
• A minimum of 7 years’ related experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
• Master’s degree preferred. Experience in consulting is required.
• Meet or Exceed the Secretary of Interior Professional Qualifications for Architectural Historian.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history.

About Terracon
Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 6,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon’s growth is due to our talented employee-owners exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace.

Terracon’s vision of “Together, we are best at people” is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
EEO Statement
Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.