JOB OBJECTIVE: 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 grantfunded
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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
? Extensive knowledge of architectural principles, techniques, and procedures such as building systems, project
planning and development such as master plans, procuring an architect through the RFQ process, an architect's basic five
services from SD through project close-out, bidding, and cost estimating principles;
? Knowledge of construction methods, historic and modern building materials, and causes of their deterioration;
? Knowledge of state and federal laws related to historic preservation;
? Knowledge of the International Building Code and International Existing Building Code, The Texas Accessibility Standards,
and sustainable building design;
? Skill in effective and appropriate communication with elected county and state officials;
? Skill in interpreting architectural construction drawings and specifications;
? Skill in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers;
? Skill in operating a personal computer with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software;
? Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts;
? Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail;
? Ability to explain complex issues in a clear and concise manner through written and verbal communication;
? Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions;
? Ability to adapt successfully to change while continuing to deliver quality results in a timely manner;
? Ability to plan, organize, and work independently within the framework of a diverse team environment with cooperative
decision-making;
? Ability to communicate with others using sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy;
? Ability to work in partnership with government officials;
? Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and
? Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE:
? Must have or obtain a valid Driver’s License and Defensive Driving Course to be able to operate state vehicles.
? If applying as an architect, you must hold an active architectural license with the Texas Board of Architectural
Examiners (TBAE).
? If applying as an engineer, you must hold an active engineering license with the Texas Board of Professional
Engineers and Land Surveyors.