Preservation Officer, Project Review and Compliance

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Performs historic preservation review of federal and state assisted projects throughout Maryland (annually totaling more than 1,200 projects) for their effects on archaeological properties in accordance with relevant federal and state historic preservation laws and regulations. This is accomplished through the Project Review and Compliance Unit, Office of Preservation Services, Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland Department of Planning (MDP). Position helps fulfill MDP’s mission to promote growth that fosters vibrant, livable communities, preserves, and protects the environment, and makes efficient use of State resources - by enforcing regulatory requirements related to historic preservation.

Project Review and Coordination: Conducts reviews of proposed federal and state undertakings (including federal and state funded, permitted, or licensed actions) for a wide range of project types to assess their effects on archeological properties, in accordance with Sections l06 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Maryland Historical Trust Act of 1985, as amended, State Finance and Procurement Article §§ 5A-325 and 5A-326 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The review process entails the following:

Identifies and evaluates archaeological properties for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or Maryland Register of Historic Properties. Process involves reviewing existing and submitted information including site files, GIS system, archival materials, historic maps, reports, and performing site visits to assess archaeological sensitivity. Conducts research and reviews submitted documentation necessary to locate properties, determines significance using National Register/Maryland Register Criteria for Evaluation, prepares required written Determinations of Eligibility (DOEs), and documents resulting determinations in the appropriate digital database and library records.

Determines effects on archaeological properties of approximately l,200 federal or state undertakings annually, by reviewing submitted documentation (including correspondence and plans for rehabilitation and new construction projects, State Clearinghouse notifications, reports, planning and environmental documents – submitted principally through the Trust’s e106 online project submittal system) in consultation with federal and state agencies, local governments, developers, consultants and other interested parties, in accordance with Section 106 regulations (36 CFR 800) and state law.

Negotiates mitigation measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate any adverse effects on archaeological properties in consultation with parties listed in (b) above.

Negotiates and prepares Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), to mitigate adverse effects, or Programmatic Agreements (PA) to resolve and mitigate adverse effects on archaeological properties.

Coordinates reviews with the relevant parties, including federal and state agencies, local governments, project sponsors, consultants, the public and federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation or, if appropriate, the Maryland Advisory Council as necessary.

Reviews and prepares written comments on draft and revised archaeological reports (c. 150 annually) to ensure adherence to the requirements of the most current version of The Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations in Maryland. 

Coordinates reviews with Trust’s underwater archaeology staff to ensure appropriate responses within required deadlines.

Establishes and maintains interrelationships with federal, state, and local government agencies, private organizations, businesses, professional organizations, and individuals to ensure smooth implementation of the agency’s regulatory role by following laws, regulations, and guidelines in a consistent, appropriate, and timely manner.

Attends interagency meetings to represent the Trust’s interests in federal and state programs (Corps of Engineers/MD Department of the Environment Joint Evaluation monthly project meetings, MDE Shoreline Project Review Team, Power Plant Research Advisory Committee of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, Monitoring Committee of the Maryland State Programmatic General Permit for the COE/MDE, and others as assigned.)

Coordinates with the State Terrestrial Archaeologist in the review of State antiquities permits under State Finance and Procurement Article § 5A-342 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Technical Assistance/Education: Provides training, guidance, and technical assistance for clients and other users, including federal, state, and local government agency officials, preservationists, developers, architects, property owners, consultants on the federal and state historic preservation review requirements and on appropriate preservation treatments for archeological properties. Technical assistance includes the following activities:

Develops and implements workshops, training sessions, and guidance materials to educate program clients and the public about archaeology, compliance procedures, and historic preservation responsibilities.

Provides program clients and property owners with guidance and technical advice on the requirements of recommended archaeological investigations, documentation, and the appropriate treatment of archaeological resources.

Advises special interest groups, concerned citizens, and other individuals about issues related to local land use, development, other matters, and its effects on archaeological resources, upon request.

Conducts research and publishes on Maryland archaeology and cultural resources management, upon assignment and as workload allows. 

Trust Archaeology Program Support: Provides professional support and participates in Trust Archaeology Programs, particularly public outreach, and special project activities, upon assignment and as workload allows. Participation may include the following activities:

Helps plan and implement Trust public outreach programs for archaeology (annual Archaeology Workshop, Archaeology Month activities, Archaeological Society of Maryland field session, and other programs).

Conducts and assists with surveys, excavations, emergency salvage of threatened archaeological resources, and other investigations, including supervision of volunteers and interns in the field.

Helps revise and maintain needed updates to assigned sections of the Trust’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations in Maryland and related guidance materials.

Represents the Trust’s Project Review and Compliance Unit at archaeology staff meetings and the quarterly Maryland Advisory Committee on Archaeology.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Four years of administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for- year basis for the required experience.

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated education and experience meeting the following desired or preferred qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in anthropology, archaeology, historic preservation, history or closely related field.

Three (3) years or more full-time experience working in the field of historic preservation.

Experience in cultural resource management work for compliance with implementing federal and state historic preservation law, principally Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Experience in evaluating the eligibility of historic resources for the National Register of Historic Places and preparation or substantive review of Determination of Eligibility forms or National Register nominations. Experience in evaluating projects and completed work for compliance with preservation and construction best practices and conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: 

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

•             Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date). 

•             Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.

•             Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.

•             Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.

•             Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.

•             Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.

•             Positions may be eligible for telework. 

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.