Environmental Review Program Manager - State Program Administrator Director

About the role

The Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) seeks an Environmental Review Program Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of the Environmental Review Program. This position provides strategic direction, subject matter expertise, and program leadership to ensure the identification and protection of Minnesota's historic resources under federal and state laws.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Tribal governments, federal, state, and local government agencies; and other partners while guiding compliance with Section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act and Minnesota's preservation laws.
• Direct and manage the Environmental Review Program and its staff, ensuring consistent, professional, and timely program delivery.
• Represent the State Historic Preservation Officer in reviews of large and complex federal undertakings, negotiating and developing Memorandums of Agreement and Programmatic Agreements.
• Review and consult on proposals submitted by State agencies, departments, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, and political subdivisions to ensure compliance with State historic preservation laws.
• Lead innovative projects, develop process improvements, and strengthen systems that support preservation outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in history, historic preservation, archaeology, urban and regional planning, law, or related field with specialized coursework in historic preservation or cultural resource management.
• Five (5) years of experience with relevant federal preservation statutes, guidelines, and cultural resource management principles.
• Master's degree as specified above may substitute for 18 months of experience as described.
• Experience managing team members and engaging in performance management-based conversations.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to negotiate, mediate, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders with varying backgrounds, education, skills, and interests.
• Advanced problem-solving skills related to identifying and protecting historic properties and navigating controversial or complex situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (such as Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and Teams), Adobe Acrobat, or similar software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in history, historic preservation, archaeology, urban and regional planning, law, or related field with specialized coursework in historic preservation or cultural resource management.
• Experience drafting or evaluating Section 106 agreements.
• Specialized training in Section 106.
• Experience coordinating with Tribal Nations in environmental reviews.
• Experience with data management systems, including organization, research, and analysis.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvement or optimization initiatives.