Historic Preservation Planner

Our historic preservation planner is retiring and we are still searching for the next member of our team!

This position is housed in the Comprehensive Planning and Design group, a section of the city’s Planning, Development, and Transportation department. The CPD team combines a rich talent pool, engaged in policy writing, environmental planning and design, urban design, landscape architecture, and historic preservation. The purpose of this unit is to promote sustainable, quality development and placemaking in the city of Wilmington. Foremost among the group’s varied responsibilities is the implementation of the city’s award-winning Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan.

Wilmington is the economic, cultural, and population center of a growing coastal region drawing from three counties: Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover and within minutes of several popular area beaches on barrier islands. It is home to the state’s largest historic district, a growing university and community college, a regional medical center, and a thriving riverfront downtown. Wilmington has received recognition in numerous venues in recent years and is consistently ranked in the top 10 in many “best of” lists with a healthy share of number ones!

Applications for the position may be filed online at www.wilmingtonnc.gov/jobs

Direct link to the position

Job Duties:

• Implement design standards and land development code by issuing certificates for projects by meeting with applicants and reviewing applications, preparing reports, making site visits, drafting orders, preparing agenda items, developing and presenting information to commission members, acting as liaison to applicants, managing demolition by neglect cases, and maintaining records of information.
• Follow projects to completion by interacting with code enforcement staff and reviewing code enforcement activities, communicating with related departments, working with legal staff, and interacting with property owners.
• Manage grant activities by working with historic preservation offices and councils; ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations; reviewing new projects and demolitions; and preparing and delivering documentation for requests or reviews.
• Coordinate tax credit and historic landmark designations by meeting with individuals, reviewing tax credit applications, ensuring designations meet all regulations and policies, including site plan review and certificates of appropriateness, presenting applications to the historic preservation commission and city council, reviewing and submitting pay requests, and working with owners.
• Manage long-range planning efforts by maintaining historic district inventories, implementing the city’s comprehensive plan, preparing applications for new historic districts or expansions of existing districts, developing applicable small-area plans, and other related policies and plans.
• Represent the department by responding to requests for service and research; collaborating with employees and the public; presenting information to commissions, boards and the public; and making site visits.

Education and Experience:   At least three years of related professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Historic Preservation, Architectural History, Public History or related field of study.

Preferred Qualifications: At least five years of related professional experience with a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation, Architectural History, Public History or related field of study.

The ideal candidate:

• Excels at writing and communication in order to share ideas, work with others, and express complex concepts in a simple and clear format;
• Has some experience with zoning, land use, and urban planning; Section 106 review; documentation of buildings, places, and landscapes, including survey and architectural photography; building materials conservation; archival research; and preservation advocacy;
• Can read architectural drawings; and
• Has a working knowledge of GIS and SketchUp or other design software.