GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To serve as the executive officer of the State's Historic Preservation and Heritage Office. To be responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation and administration of multiple historic preservation programs/projects including: identification and nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register; regulation of federal, state, and local projects that affect historic resources; administration and approval of state and federal grants and tax credits for historic rehabilitation; recognition for the state's cultural heritage; as well as providing leadership and direction for planning to shape historic preservation policies, objectives, and proposed legislation; as designated, to serve as State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) or Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer; and to do related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the administrative direction of the Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) on matters of policy formulation with wide latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment in the implementation of policy and programs; work is subject to review by the Commission for effectiveness and conformance to policy, statutes, regulations, and professional standards.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, organizes, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of an administrative, managerial, professional, technical, and clerical staff engaged in historic preservation planning and project management; coordinates the activities of the commission with other state agencies, federal and local governments, and the private sector.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Such as may have been gained through: possession of a graduate degree in history, architectural history, archeology, architecture, or a closely related field such as American studies or historic preservation; and
Experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment in a State Historic Preservation Office in a supervisory role; or considerable employment in a highly responsible supervisory position involving professional historic preservation leadership and planning, in a federal, state, municipal, or public or private agency or organization engaged in historic preservation functions.
Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be a substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.
- To be responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation and administration of multiple historic preservation programs/projects in accordance with the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Act and other state and federal laws including: identification and registration of historic properties, regulatory review of state and federal projects, management of state and federal grants, certification of state and federal tax credits, presentation of heritage programming as well as administrative and policy planning which provide leadership and direction for the state historic preservation plan and policies and technologies/methodologies that impact the commission's overall functions.
- To serve as State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) or Deputy SHPO to the federal government and to be responsible the overall planning, development, implementation and administration of multiple historic preservation programs/projects in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act and other federal authorities and to receive and manage federal funding for historic preservation on behalf of the State.
- To be responsible for determining operational, project and program goals and objectives and to establish and administer the necessary scope of action, general policies and work schedules for historic preservation projects and programs and to supervise the execution of assignments.
- To provide oversight and leadership for inter-agency and inter-governmental planning to ensure consistency with commission policy and regulatory requirements, including changes in direction and new initiatives.
- To prepare, update, and revise a state historic preservation plan; to select projects for historical, archeological, or architectural study; to assure that information relating to the state's historical resources is maintained and accessible.
- To develop and monitor an annual budget and annual work program for the Commission's activities based upon state and federal funding; and to employ and direct the work of professional, technical, and support personnel to carry out the work program.
- To effectively represent the Commission to elected officials, state and local government officials, and a wide range of public and private organizations, groups, and individuals.
- To conduct formal consultation with federal, state, municipal, and private entities regarding the effect of their activities on historic properties.
- To advise state agencies regarding the treatment of historic properties within their jurisdiction or control.
- To make presentations and to assure that completed work is presented in written reports or orally to the Commission, public bodies, the general public, and the media; and to participate in state and national historic preservation organizations and conferences.
- To advise municipal officials on historic preservation; to assist historic district commissions; to certify and administer a program of financial assistance to eligible cities and towns.
- To do related work as required.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques, and practices of historic preservation and the ability to apply such knowledge in planning, organizing, directing and administering the functions and related programs of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission; a thorough knowledge of the methods and procedures required to carry out the relevant programs of historic preservation such as: National Register of Historic Places, environmental review, grants, technical preservation services, historic sites survey, archeology, public information, and curation; the ability to manage and review historic preservation practices and procedures and to recommend necessary changes; the ability to perform highly complex historic preservation planning functions; the ability to supervise and review studies and the preparation of reports; the ability to maintain continuous evaluation of projects to determine their effectiveness; thorough knowledge of Rhode Island history, architecture, archeology, and cultural heritage and/or demonstrated ability to become thoroughly knowledgeable; the ability to plan, organize, coordinate, supervise and review the work of subordinate personnel including professionals in the fields of archeology, architectural history, history, and architecture; the ability to prepare and monitor an annual budget and annual work plan; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, and community officials and planning personnel and to provide policy recommendations and conduct formal consultation as needed; the ability to communicate effectively and to prepare clear, accurate, informative reports and to make oral presentations; understanding of computer technology, databases, and other forms of digital information; and related capacities and abilities.