Indiana Landmarks seeks a professional to oversee the organization’s preservation efforts within a four-county area of southeastern Indiana to include Dearborn, Ripley, Ohio, and Switzerland counties. The Director of the Southeastern Field Office also manages Veraestau, an historic Ohio River estate overlooking the town of Aurora, overseeing programming and maintenance of the house, stable, and grounds. The position reports to the director of the Southern Regional Office (Jeffersonville, IN). Starting salary in the low 30’s. Indiana Landmarks also offers a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Job Responsibilities
Field Service Duties:
- Identify endangered structures within the region (in part by conducting Section 106 reviews of federally funded projects); determine the significance of the structures and what strategies, if any, the organization should undertake to preserve them; design and implement action plans to save them.
- Provide technical assistance to local preservation commissions, government officials, community organizations, and other groups and individuals interested in preserving historic structures (this includes providing restoration recommendations, helping to list properties on the National Register of Historic Places, helping to evaluate the scope of restoration projects, providing research assistance and guidance, etc.);
- Serve as contract staff for the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission, reviewing certificates of appropriateness, reporting on findings, serving as a liaison with property owners, providing training, and assisting with other preservation-related operations.
- Actively work with communities to save endangered structures by assisting with advocacy, fundraising, marketing, and other methods (this includes providing testimony at public hearings, writing letters to elected officials and the media, meeting with key stakeholders, assisting communities with drafting preservation ordinances and developing historic districts, helping groups secure grants and tax credits, etc.).
- Help create and grow the capacity of local historic preservation organizations; work with existing groups to strengthen their work and to maintain a strong rapport.
- Promote the organization’s architectural façade easement program. Secure easements on historic properties and monitor easement/covenant properties on an annual basis
- Contribute articles, photographs, and information for the Indiana Preservationist, Indiana Landmarks’ bi-monthly magazine;
- Produce a monthly e-newsletter on preservation events and activities in the region and utilize other social media, such as Twitter, to communicate with a preservation constituency; and
- Lead or assist with other projects and programs of Indiana Landmarks, as assigned.
Historic Site Duties:
- Manage Veraestau as a historic site, overseeing administrative, maintenance, stewardship, and interpretation of the buildings, grounds, and collection;
- Manage group tours of the property by appointment;
- Re-establish a volunteer docent program to help conduct regular tours of Veraestau during the established regional tourism season;
- Work with a contracted events coordinator vendor who will handle property rental for meetings, receptions, and weddings;
- Coordinate annual signature events at Veraestau to promote awareness of the site, including the Derby Day event held the first Saturday in May, and Holiday Open House in December;
- Develop programs that utilize the site as a preservation resource center for southeastern Indiana.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of historic preservation principles and programs, as well as national, state, and local laws and procedures relating to historic preservation;
- Understanding and knowledge of rehabilitation practices and The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings;
- Knowledge of historic site management and best practices;
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills;
- Proven “people” skills, including ability to interact with and motivate individuals and groups;
- General knowledge of computers, photography, and grant-writing; and
- Bachelor’s degree in historic preservation, museum studies, or related field (Master’s degree and/or 3-5 years prior work experience in the field preferred).
How To Apply
Submit a cover letter, resume, and references postmarked by June 30, 2012 to: Gregory A. Sekula, AICP, Southern Regional Office Director
Indiana Landmarks
115 W. Chestnut Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: 317-822-7941 or email: gsekula@indianalandmarks.org.
