Historian Preservation Planner

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB’s Environmental Resources Group in Atlanta is seeking a senior historian to work with our expanding cultural resources group. Key responsibilities include historic resource survey and the preparation of environmental and planning-related documents for transportation, planning, and land development projects.

This position requires periodic outdoor work with limited travel. Strong written and verbal communication skills are paramount, and the ideal candidate must be detail-oriented with the ability to effectively convey technical information. Strong organizational skills are essential, and the ideal candidate must be able to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a team environment.

 Responsibilities

• Conduct and manage cultural resource identification and evaluation surveys for public and private sector clients
• Coordinate Section 106 and other applicable federal, state, and local historic preservation reviews for transportation and land development projects
• 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 assessment of effects
• Support other VHB departments and regional offices with historic preservation planning, site history research, and compliance services
• Assist scoping, managing, tracking projects, preparing proposals, and marketing group services within and outside VHB

Preferred Skills and Attributes

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

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years of planning and compliance experience
• 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)
• Secretary of the Interior Standards Qualified (SOI Qualified)
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, Google Earth, and GIS software is required

We are VHB! We’re an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment. 

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes: 

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

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30 offices on the East Coast. We’re growing, and we hope you’ll join us! 

VHB is a proud Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. All individuals receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination for race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

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