Preserve and protect county courthouses across Texas as part of the Division of Architecture’s renowned Courthouse Preservation Program. As part of a six-member team, provide technical assistance and project reviews in a range of settings to varied audiences by way of written and verbal communication. Partner with counties, architectural, engineering, and conservation consultants, and contractors to advise on best preservation practices, materials conservation, construction processes, and maintenance planning. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. (subject to change once salary group/classification has been determined)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Serve as a project reviewer for the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). Administer grant- funded construction and planning projects for compliance with the program statute, rules, and grant manual.
2. Review proposals for changes to historic courthouses for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties under the state laws protecting courthouses, the Antiquities Code of Texas, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation, and preservation easements.
3. Review and comment on preservation master plans, historic structures reports, paint and finish analyses, structural assessments, project completion reports, and grant applications. Use these documents to inform courthouse preservation project review with a primary focus on Restoration Treatment under the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
4. Perform detailed review of and recommend changes as necessary to architectural plans and specifications at schematic design, design development, 60%, and 95% construction document phases to comply with the program standards and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;
5. Review hazardous materials assessments and understand state laws regarding hazardous materials treatment as related to preserving historic fabric.
6. Review and request changes when necessary to structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designs/drawings as they impact the architectural drawings and historic architecture.
7. Understand the International Building Code, International Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association, and the Texas Accessibility Standards and apply them to historic buildings to minimize the impact on historic elements and materials while meeting compliance.
8. Prepare conceptual designs as part of the review of architectural plans & specifications.
9. Review and recommend changes to value engineering proposals.
10. Review construction budgets and owner/architect/contractor contracts.
11. Work with the project team to meet the project budget and schedule.
12. Review and recommend changes as necessary to ASIs, change orders, submittals, shop drawings, mock-ups, samples, and progress meeting minutes during construction.
13. Attend and participate in monthly on-site progress meetings for grant-funded construction projects.
14. Meet regularly with elected officials, owner representatives, project architect(s), contractors, and subcontractors on site and provide guidance on construction solutions as they impact historic building materials and architecture.
15. Review and provide comments on attachments to grant contracts, preservation easements, and grant fund reimbursement requests.
16. Track building conditions and cyclical maintenance activities on restored courthouses, including those protected by preservation easements.
17. Provide technical guidance on the treatment of building elements and materials for courthouse preservation, repair, and maintenance.
18. Perform research using historic photographs and documents, including onsite investigations, as part of the courthouse preservation planning process. Research historic construction and finish materials.
19. Develop and conduct training sessions to educate county facilities managers and county officials on best practices for courthouse preservation and facility management.
20. Work with the program specialist to process grant paperwork for the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) and maintain site visit reports, work logs, digital project files, and program databases.
21. Present programmatic information to agency staff, architects/consultants, property owners, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public.
22. Work collaboratively with staff from THC’s Communications Division, History Programs Division, Archeology Division, and the Community Heritage Development Division.
23. Adhere to an established work schedule with regular attendance.
24. Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

25. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS (The application must specifically state how each of the following qualifications are met):

• Graduation with a degree in architecture or a closely related field from an NAAB-accredited college or university (or a comparable, internationally accredited professional architecture degree) with coursework in historic preservation;
• Minimum two years’ full-time professional experience in architecture, including production or review of construction drawings and specifications; coordination of architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings; and construction administration;
• Minimum two years’ full-time professional experience in historic preservation, including review or creation of detailed investigations of historic structures, historic architectural research, and production or review of construction drawings and specifications for preservation projects OR a graduate degree or certificate in historic preservation;
• Experience with in-depth application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;
• Demonstrated public speaking and writing skills;
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure;
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
• Availability to travel up to the required 30% of the work period.

PREFER:

• Five or more years of full-time professional experience in the fields of architecture and historic preservation, including in-depth administration of historic restoration planning and construction projects;
• Graduate degree in architecture, historic preservation, preservation planning, or a closely related field with coursework in preservation technology and/or materials conservation;
• Experience administering commercial-scale construction projects;
• Experience applying best practices in historic facility maintenance;
• Experience applying local, state, and federal laws related to the protection of historic structures;
• Experience working in partnership with elected and appointed officials;
• Experience in regulatory review related to easement monitoring and management;
• Experience in records management for large programs or organizations.

Please visit the Capps Recruit job posting for additional information.